Chizuko (Yamamoto) True

Chizuko “Cindy” Yamamoto True

October 15, 1929 – October 18, 2025  

Chizuko “Cindy” Yamamoto True, 96, of Sierra Vista passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 18, 2025.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and dear friend, Cindy will be fondly remembered for her humor, strength, and feisty spirit that she carried throughout her life.

Cindy was born to Ushihei Yamamoto and Hyakujiro Yoshida in Fukuoka, Japan.

She is survived by her husband, Donald; sons Donald Jr. and Daniel; daughters-in-law Lourdes (Donald Jr.) and Diana (Daniel); seven grandchildren — Cristina G.-L.V., Claudia Morales (Daniel M.), Donald Y., Hunter, Denton, Matthew, and Alyssa Beth; six great-grandchildren — Nayleen (Santos), Marleen, Brindon, King, Daniel “Giovanni,” and Marcaline; and one great-great-granddaughter, Jayleen.

Cindy was the epitome of hard work and integrity. She often rode her bicycle to and from her job, even through harsh Alaskan winters, and only missed work to give birth to her sons or once for back pain.

She was also an involuntary witness to history. As a young girl, she heard American Army Air Corps bombers flying over her hometown and later, while at a train station in Fukuoka on August 9, 1945, witnessed the mushroom cloud rising over Nagasaki following the atomic bombing.

A skilled seamstress, Cindy made her own clothes and took pride in her craftsmanship. Her strong work ethic led her from working as a housemaid in post–World War II Japan to becoming a respected food service employee for over 40 years.

In 1946, she began working for an American Army officer’s family and later in food service, where she met her future husband, Donald, at a Christmas party in 1969. Together, they overcame personal and bureaucratic challenges — and even a pregnancy — to be married at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. They shared nearly 55 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and perseverance.

Cindy’s legacy lives on through her family, who will forever cherish her humor, resilience, and the stories she shared from a remarkable life spanning nearly a century.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chizuko (Yamamoto) True, please visit our floral store.