Miyuki Christine Henderson - Iammatteo

Miyuki Christine Henderson ~ Iammatteo, born on August 25th, 1969 in Tokyo Japan to Hugh and Naoko (Kikuchi) Henderson. Miyuki passed away at the age of 46, at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego California on February 18th, 2016. Miyuki passed away from complications of pneumonia while bravely fighting a 3 year battle with cancer. Miyuki attended Sacred heart International School in Tokyo. After the birth of her younger brother Hideyuki Andrew Henderson the family moved to Canada and resettled in the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill. Where she attended Pleasantville Public Elementary, Richmond Hill High School and later York University. In Japan, Miyuki was the only girl amongst her cousins. She often spoke of the many cherished memories of her early years in Tokyo and the fun she had playing with her cousins. As the only girl, precocious and charming, they all loved with her and would do anything for her. In Richmond Hill Miyuki loved to explore and play games with her friends and brother in the neighborhood and nature park near their home. Miyuki took her friends and younger brother Hideyuki on many an adventure. Playing in the winter snow, building snowmen, snow forts, ice skating, snow angels, In the warmer months enjoying the many wild animals that lived in the park, hiking, exploring, hide-n-seek, creating a secret hiding place for just her and her friends in the trees. Instilling in her a life long love of nature and enjoyment of the outdoors. Miyuki was very active in sports and school activities; volleyball, baseball, and volunteering and organizing many of her school’s events and activities. Miyuki had dreams of being a ballerina, a dream that could have been a reality and was headed for the National Ballet of Canada, when playing baseball she broke her ankle sliding into 3rd base. After that she had to rethink her future. Since she didn't know what she wanted to do, she decided to try all kinds of jobs - babysitter, nanny, salesperson, camp counselor, waitress, bartender, cashier, shipping and receiving, buyer, translator, mechanic - you name it - she did it. But as interesting as all those different jobs/careers may have been, Miyuki realized her true love was teaching and working with children. Miyuki loved life. She lived in a way to get the most out of each and every day. She made friends easily. No one could resist her cheerfulness, joy, enthusiasm and that sunshine smile. She radiated happiness, and lived life in a way that made everyday special and meaningful, and brought sunshine and joy to those around her. Miyuki is best summed up by her name, which means “Beautiful Snow” in Japanese. Beautiful and “pure” as snow. Though physically beautiful, for Miyuki it was more important to be beautiful inside. Miyuki somehow managed to retain that inner beauty and purity that only children have. The loss of Miyuki is immeasurable. Her genuine love for people, thoughtfulness, compassion and the kindness she selflessly and freely gave of herself to others will be greatly missed. Miyuki was naturally brought joy and happiness to those around her. She had a lasting and positive impact on the lives of so many people. She loved food, and enjoyed cooking, and creating special meals for her friends and family whenever she could. Miyuki was insatiably curious, an avid reader and was also a lover of languages - which she attributed to growing up in a bilingual household, Japanese-English. Miyuki was also very curious about and interested in other cultures and traditions, which led her on my many solo travels across the globe - 35 countries in all. Her desire to help others often became her motivation for travel, included volunteering for Mother Teresa in India, or teaching English to refugee children. The desire to help others was simply who she was, and she lived it. Every night after work on the walk from the subway station to her apartment Miyuki would see how many homeless people there were. Then, at home make an extra dinner for each of the homeless she saw on her walk home. Miyuki selflessly loved to make others feel special, both friends and strangers alike. She particularly loved children and the elderly. Miyuki resonated most with those at the extreme ends of life, children and the elderly. With children, who full of wonder and curiosity, and a desire to explore and experience the new world around them. and elderly, those who having experienced of life found wisdom, gratitude and renewed wonder, joy and appreciation for this life and this world. Most of all Miyuki loved children. Whenever there were children present she would light up with the biggest smile. Children would sense this respond in kind, recognizing the child within her, a kindred spirit, a long lost friend. Children look at her and smiled with an expression that said, “Who is that big kid? I want to play with her.” Miyuki dedicated her life to children. Her motto was, “Every child is special.” Miyuki was a Montessori teacher for a time, but soon realized that it was great for some children, but others didn’t resonate with it’s methods. So, she decided, for her to be better meet the needs of each child she learned every educational method she could get her hands on. Miyuki took the best of educational methods such as Montessori, Waldorf, and Steiner to name a few and merged these with early child development and psychology to make learning memorable, FUN. As a teacher Miyuki truly loved and cared for each of her children. She tailored every lesson for each child’s experience and learning style. Miyuki created her own unique method to make learning fun, teaching through experience the concepts behind the information. Miyuki made each lesson special, it was so much fun, her students didn’t realize they were learning. She instilled a life-long curiosity and love of learning, and love for life in her children. But, for Miyuki most important of all it was to build self-esteem, self-confidence, happiness and joy for life - and for all of her students to know that they are loved. Miyuki is sorely missed by “her many children.” Miyuki touched the lives many people. The light Miyuki brought to the world was unique and the world is a better place because of her. Miyuki knew that small acts of kindness, caring and love can were what was important in life. Miyuki made it her mission to live the precepts of God in her time here on this earth by actively be kind and caring, and through her actions to spread happiness, joy, compassion, and love to everyone she could. We miss you Miyuki. May you rest in peace. We are fortunate beyond words to have had you in our lives. Our lives are richer, brighter, more meaningful, and happier because of your love. Thank you Miyuki, we’ll forever carry in our hearts the joy, happiness, love and the many wonderful loving memories you created! We love you! Miyuki is survived by her husband, John Iammatteo and her mother, Naoko Kikuchi, Aunt Flavia, niece Julia, nephew Kenji, and her many cousins. Miyuki believed in small acts of kindness, that it was important to help those nearest you. In lieu of flower, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to any of the following Children’s Charities or that you make a contribution in Miyuki's name to your local Children’s Charity where you live: KHACHOLING CENTER 2622 Taylor St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 www.khacholing.org FRUIT & FLOWER CHILD CARE CENTER 2378 NW Irving Street Portland, OR 97210 www.fruitandflower.org COMMUNITY TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL 6601 NE Killingsworth Street Portland, OR 97218 www.transitionalschool.org FUKUSHIMA CHILDREN’S FUND www.fukushimachildrensfund.org fromcherno0311@yahoo.co.jp Service Information