Takako Nagase

On October 13, 2017, TAKAKO NAGASE, beloved wife of Goro Nagase; loving mother of Terumi McKenna (Chris) and George Nagase; adoring grandmother of Naomi McKenna; dear sister of Midori Seto. Also survived by many loving family and friends.

Takako (Grace) Nagase, died at University of Maryland Hospital, Shock Trauma, on Friday, October13, 2017 with her family at her bedside. She was born on April 5, 1936 in Tokyo, Japan to Nobuyoshi Maeda and Tomiko Yatogi. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology from Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.

She went to the University of Hawaii on an East-West Center Scholarship for Marine Biology for sea urchin research. She met her husband, Goro Nagase, a student at the University of Hawaii. She continued research studies at the California Institute of Technology and University of Rochester. She married Goro Nagase on Dec 31, 1964 in Elkton, MD and they settled in Newark, DE. Goro was a doctoral student in mathematics at University of Delaware. Takako raised two children, Terumi and George, and she lovingly encouraged them in their faith, education, music, sports and all their activities. She worked as a researcher in the Geology department at the University of Delaware. She volunteered for the United Campus Ministry at the University of Delaware by coordinating the International Luncheon Program and hosting international students. She volunteered at West Park Place and Downes Elementary Schools and Newark High School (Band Booster). She volunteered at the Nazarene Church in Newark, DE, by teaching Asian cooking and Origami for the Adult Vacation Bible School Program.

After her children graduated from college, she received a Master of Arts in Musicology from Morgan State University. She published a book (Rittor Music) in collaboration with pianist, John Young at Lincoln University, to introduce ragtime music to Japan. She was a Professor of Japanese Language at Lincoln University. She hosted many students to expose them to Japanese culture.

She enjoyed playing the piano, working in her garden, cooking, sewing and spending time with her granddaughter. She is survived by her husband, Goro Nagase; her son, George Nagase; her daughter and son-in-law, Terumi and Chris McKenna; and granddaughter, Naomi McKenna.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation.

A reception will follow the memorial service at a local restaurant.

Visitation

Sunday, October 22, 2017, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home
4112 Old Columbia Pike Ellicott City MD, 21043

Memorial Service

Sunday, October 22, 2017, 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home
4112 Old Columbia Pike Ellicott City MD, 21043