Mona Tanaka
A loving Tribute
I have many fond memories of my friendship with Julie Yamane Baxter growing up. I met her as she was the sister of my brother’s girlfriend at the time.
We go way back to middle school, Kailua Intermediate. We would meet with some friends after school at the playfield and walk over to a store called, “Kress” for icee drinks and french fries while waiting to catch our bus home.
In the summer we were Junior Leaders at a Summer Fun Program at Enchanted Lakes Elementary. I recall playing dodgeball, water balloons, eating our packed lunch of rice, nori, cucumber Kim chee, boy crushes and piercing our ears.
Her family home was always welcoming. We swam in the backyard swimming pool, played ping pong games, watched TV and just , “hung out” while she did household chores.
Julie was emotionally intelligent. She gave me understanding and support when I was feeling down. This meant so much to me. She was also very thoughtful remembering birthdays.
In high school we worked at the same fast food restaurant. It was a real life learning experience.
I am so happy that she was blessed with a loving husband, children, grandchildren, family.
I moved from Hawaii to the mainland so it has been many years,
I will always remember my very beautiful friend Julie Yamane Baxter.
John 15:12-15
My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
In Loving memory,
Mona Ogitani Tanaka