Fumiko Mckinstry
September 10, 1928 — March 5, 2017
Fumiko Watanabe McKinstry of Panorama Park, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.
Her Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2017 at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the services on Friday at the funeral home. Final resting place will be in North English, Iowa, at a later date.
Fumiko was born on September 10, 1928 in Haranomachi, Fukushima, Japan to Kohe and Iku Watanabe, and later raised by Munihiko Watanabe. She graduated from Haranomachi High School despite the war. On February 15, 1952, she was united in marriage to Keith G. McKinstry in Tokyo, Japan.
Fumiko was a long-time resident of Panorama Park. She spent many years working the local elections at the town hall. Fumiko worked in food service for the Pleasant Valley School District for many years until her retirement. She always said her most enjoyable job was working for Blackhawk Films, where she could sit and watch films all day as she checked for problems.
Fumiko really enjoyed working in the yard. She spent many hours tidying up her gardens and yard pulling weeds and picking up sticks. Her yard was always filled with flowers.
She will be greatly missed by her two daughters, Kay Strait of Buffalo, Minnesota and Elaine Schilling of Davenport; and three grandchildren, Kelly (Joe) Kenney in Massachusetts, Megan (Andrew) Strait in Texas and Ryan Strait in California.
Fumiko was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Kimiko, and grandmother Tome.
Her family would like to thank the following; Bettendorf Fire Department Engine #1 and Medic EMS for their careful transport of Fumiko to the hospital, Genesis West emergency staff and the staff of the Neuroscience floor for their considerate care of Fumiko. Special thanks to Drs. Gena Benoit and Stephen Sorensen for their caring and concern of Fumiko, Sheila Havenhill and Dr. Ann O’Donnell, Genesis Hospice and the staff at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. A special appreciation of thanks to hospice staff Keitha, Abby, and Ruth for your caring and consideration of Fumiko. And to her special neighbor Ellen, for being such a good friend to Fumiko and to her family.