Masako Epstein
October 1, 1930 – February 26, 2025
Masako Epstein, 94, passed away on February 26, 2025, at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, in
McLean, Virginia. She was born in Okinawa, then known as the Ryuku Islands, Japan. As a
child, she lived with her parents, Kaneo and Chizu Nakazato, and her siblings in Naha,
Okinawa, then with her grandparents, Kingoro and Matsu Nakazato, in Nago, Okinawa.
After the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, Okinawa was occupied by the U.S. government.
Masako helped support her family by working as a clerk for the U.S. government, on the Kita
Daito Phosphate Project, and for Sax Concession on a military base. In 1955, she met her
future husband, Ira Epstein, when he audited the Sax Concession.
In 1956, Masako and Ira applied to the U.S. government for permission to marry. As
required, Masako submitted letters about her character, and Ira submitted information
about his financial assets. On March 24, 1956, Rycom’s General Manager recommended
approval of the marriage application, after concluding that the investigation “disclosed no
derogatory information or participation in subversive activity.”
Masako and Ira were married on May 18, 1956, in Naha, Okinawa, then moved to New York
City, where Ira’s family lived. In 1957, Masako converted to Judaism. In 1960, after giving
birth to her first child, Louise, Masako became a U.S. citizen. In 1961, Masako gave birth to
her second child, Naomi.
Masako dedicated her life to caring for others. She nursed her husband after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, while raising two daughters. She took care of her in- laws, Sadie and Jules Epstein, after her daughters went to college. She moved to Virginia to live with her daughter Louise and son-in-law Steve to help raise her granddaughters, Sarah, Rachel and Stephanie. She also owned and loved many cats and dogs over the decades and enjoyed gardens.
Masako’s grandchildren have fond memories about her showing them how to cook Jewish
foods like matzoh balls and latkes, doing arts and crafts with them, and letting them learn
from their experiments. For example, when Rachel made pancake batter with too much
baking soda, Masako made the batter into pancakes so Rachel could taste the results.
Masako is survived by her sister Chiyoko Tsuhako and brother, Tsuneo Nakazato, in
Okinawa, her daughters Louise Epstein (Virginia) and Naomi Epstein (Japan), her
grandchildren Sarah Marzen (California), Rachel Marzen (New York), Stephanie Marzen (Massachusetts), Emma Ogiso (Australia) and Shimon Ogiso (Japan), and her great- granddaughter Colette Epstein Ogiso (Australia). As she requested, Masako’s ashes will be buried in the yard of the Virginia home where she lived for many years.
Masako Epstein October 1, 1930 – February 26, 2025 Masako Epstein, 94, passed away on February 26, 2025, at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, in McLean, Virginia. She was born in Okinawa, then known as the Ryuku Islands, Japan. As a child, she lived with her parents, Kaneo and Chizu Nakazato, and her siblings in Naha, Okinawa,Continue Reading
