Tokue Nishioka

Tokue Nishioka passed away Saturday the 8th of December after a long fight with cancer. She died peacefully at the James Cancer Center of Ohio State University, Wexner Hospital.

Born in 1951 in Shizuoka, Japan, Tokue received her Nursing degree from Seirei College in 1973. She moved with her family to the United States in 1983, where she lived for the rest of her life. Throughout her life, Tokue practiced nursing at various medical facilities, the most recent of which was at River’s Edge Pediatrics in Dublin, Ohio, where she was a nurse for 14 years until her retirement in 2017. Tokue simultaneously taught the Japanese launguage to children at schools across the nation. Most recently, she was a teacher at the Columbus Japanese School for 14 years. Finally, she was an avid poetic artist, who wrote Japanese Tanka poetry. Notably, she was the President of Ishokurin Tanka Society (Rafu Shimpo Newspaper), where she collaborated with writers around the world to edit and publish their Tanka. She received several major Tanka awards from Japanese broadcasting companies and media institutions. She was most proud of receiving an award from NHK.

Tokue loved nature, walking, writing Tanka and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She had a wonderful, infectious smile that showered kindness to those in her path.

She is survived by her husband, Masaharu Nishioka, her children Hokuto Nishioka and Yuzuka Mimi Bulfin, and her grandchildren Jack, Tom, Emi and Ken. She is also survived by two brothers and two sisters in Japan. All of her family members brought great joy to her, especially during her last few years.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tokue’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society (https://donate3.cancer.org).

It was her wish that her remains be cremated. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, the 22th of December at 1:00pm EST at the Dublin Baptist Church, 7195 Coffman Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017. The service will be led by Pastor Sugita. Questions may be directed to daughter Mimi Bulfin, mimi.bulfin@gmail.com