Emy (Odanaka) Hirano

At ninety-five, Emy quietly passed away at Piedmont Gardens having lived a long and gracefully fulfilled life. Adored by friends and family, she was a paragon of motherhood and friendship, a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Born in Seattle to Takeo Odanaka and Kimiyo Kojima, she grew up in Los Angeles and in l941 married Jack Hirano of Oakland, whose kind and selfless nature was a perfect complement to her own. After WWII relocation, they settled in Chicago where Emy was a gifted designer and seamstress. They lived there for thirty-five years and raised their family before eventually returning to Northern California in 1979. It was here with their daughters Judy (Jeff) Gough, Barbara (Paul) Burmaster, their late son Mark, their grandchildren, Regan (Tyler), Drew, Scott, Tim, and Holly (Philippe), and two great-grandchildren, Sofia and Lucas, that Emy and Jack grew old together surrounded by all of us: loving and privileged beneficiaries of their thoughtful and generous lives.

At her request, there will be no service. Gifts in Emy’s memory may be made to Piedmont Gardens, c/o Executive Director, 110 41st St., Oakland, CA, 94611.