Janet Hiromi Long

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beautiful, loving mother Janet Hiromi Long. Janet Hiromi is survived by myself, her daughter, Katherine Hiromi Long & Son-in-law Rick Robert Wilkins, Sister Kumiko Oda, Niece Kurumi Hird & Nephew Dalibor Borsuk. Her husband & my father, William Lewis Long passed in June of 1983. We will have the Memorial Service at The Chapel at Green Hills at 2:00 p.m. on March 16th, 2023. Mom will be laid to rest with my father Bill at Green Hills Cemetery with a Burial site blessing.

My mother was born in the Northern District of Tokyo, Japan to Shizu & Kanji Oda. She had six sisters & one brother. She lost her brother & eldest sister during the evacuation of the fire bombing of Tokyo in WWII. She attended Tsuda University, the first all womens’ business college in Japan. Later she worked at the Ethiopian Embassy in Tokyo. Her sister Karou was a VIP Stewardess for Pan American World Airways. Karou also arranged tours and other travel services for Danny Kay, Frank Sinatra and many VIP clients. Karou, my mother and sisters would host visits to their home to let visitors experience a traditional Japanese home. This is where she met my God Father Henry Solman who was a U.S. Military Officer.

Later my mother would come to the United States on a work visa that Mr. Solmon & his wife arranged with their friend that owned the Cottage Pottery across from Knott’s Berry Farm. She would wear a traditional Kimono & demonstrate Japanese floral arrangements. She was interviewed on the radio & there were write ups in the local newspapers. Henry & his wife Irene Solman sponsored my mother. They later introduced her to their good friend Ann Trinket. It was Ann that encouraged my mother to come along with her on a double date and meet my father at the Huntington Park Ballroom. My father was a bit shy & wasn’t much of a dancer so as he sat and watched the dancers my mother stood on the isle and said, “That guy really thinks he’s a great dancer.” She said, dad was startled when she spoke to him and that’s where the conversation began. She had dated an L.A. Philharmonic Violinist, an Engineer, but said that she was never so comfortable than sitting with my dad in his little trailer in Hawthorn reading the newspaper and chatting. They started with very little and built themselves up with hard work & sacrifice.

Mom lived a very full life. She was very social and kind. She met most of her lifelong friends at the United Methodist Church of Maywood. Dad started out as an Iron Worker & then eventually became a Millwright Foreman. Mom was a housewife & mother and a very good painter. She went to painting class and painted beautiful oil paintings. Later dad got her a job with one of the United Riggers Japanese Clients doing interpreting. After dad passed she worked with Toyota Machine Tools, then Mazak, Inc. in Torrance. She was considered a Secretary although her primary job was Japanese Interpreting. They had her serving tea and I set her straight to look for a job with more respect. Her last job was working for Mitsubishi Bank as an interpreter. She was very proud to have been able to work downtown in the city & she made many friends there. She retired in her 70’s. We were able to travel a bit, to Europe with her sister Karou & her husband as they lived in Shenfield, Brentwood, Essex United Kingdom. Karou’s husband Daniel was originally from Czeckloslavakia. So mom traveled through there & Germany & other destinations along the Rhine with them a few years later. Then she went to Ireland with Karou. Mom & I did an Alaskan Cruise and later when I married Rick we took mom with us on many cruises. I was so glad that we had that opportunity to spend that time together. Mom passed at the age of 90 peacefully in her sleep and as she wished at her home with loved ones sharing the many happy memories. Her sister Karou passed one week before my mother. I know she’s in heaven with her loved ones & my dad as I asked for the sign that all was well and she delivered. I love you mommy!