Contributions to the tribute of Tani J. McReynolds

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Friday, March 1, 2024

Delores and Pauline

purchased the Basket of Memories and planted a memorial tree for the family of Tani J. McReynolds. Send Flowers

Please accept our love and affection for the family at this time of reflection on your beloved Tani. LoveDelores and Pauline

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Delores and Pauline planted a tree in memory of Tani J. McReynolds

Friday, March 1, 2024

Please accept our love and affection for the family at this time of reflection on your beloved Tani. LoveDelores and Pauline Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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Gerald McReynolds posted a condolence

Friday, February 2, 2024

As we say our goodbye to mom,  I say thank you for all that you gave to us in life,  the warmth of your love;  your humor and friendship;  your help, guidance, and wisdom; and the joy that you brought wherever you went.  I will surely miss you.  I’m thankful that you now have the peace that you deserve. Mom, we send all our love to surround you now.  As we think of our continuing journey in life,  we promise never to forget you,  We’ll honor your memory by living our lives as you would want us to,  and we’ll take the joy and pleasure you had in life and share it freely with others. You were such a wonderful person . Goodbye mom, and thank you. Your loving son, Jerry So now, we can lay you in your final resting place. We have single red roses, which you loved, and anyone who wishes can place one with you, leaving a part of them with you in the afterlife. Bye mom, we will always love you.

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Stephanie Koch uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Tani Joan McReynolds January 25, 1927 – January 4, 2024 INTERMENT AT THE SANTA CRUZ MEMORIAL CEMETERY ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024, AT 11:00 a.m. Eulogy written and read by her granddaughter, Stephanie Jean Griffin Koch This might not be a complete eulogy or telling of grandma’s life. I’m sure I’ll leave out lots of stories and events, but it’s the way that I will always think of her, what I’ll remember, and what she meant to me. I spent a lot of time with grandma when I was growing up. She took care of me since I was 3 years old, and in elementary school I spent every weekday morning and afternoon and summers at her house. She helped raise me. She was my Asian “Tiger Grandma”, drilling me on math equations in the summer until I cried, always expecting straight A’s (though when I did get one, she would give me money), and to this day I do not have any tattoos because Grandma said she would disown me if I got one, because only Yakuza have tattoos. She may have been strict, but in a family that isn’t always the best at expressing emotions, she was the one that would always say “I love you” and would tell me how smart and beautiful I was. She expected a kiss and hug every time I left her house, and would wave from the doorstep until I was out of sight down the driveway. Everyone loved to be around grandma—she had a vibrant personality—she was feisty and full of life. She was outwardly kind to everyone she met, but boy, if you crossed her, she also knew how to hold a grudge. She loved to laugh and though she was often the butt of jokes, as she would mispronounce English words, reciting her R's and L's, but she knew how to laugh at herself and not take things too seriously. She loved food and would make the most delicious feasts of sukiyaki, sushi, and Christmas Eve dinner, always making sure everyone was full with an “eat more, eat more”. Some of my earliest memories are of her feeding me pickled seaweed with chopsticks, straight from the jar. I can still taste the omochi that she would make me after school as she let me watch cartoons on the tiny tv. Even though the house doesn’t exist anymore, I can still feel the grooves of the grout in the tile countertops and the squish of the barstools and smells as she would make me my favorite meals of udon and cold noodle salad. She would swat my hand away as I tried to steal tamago strips for sushi and say “urusai” as I whined, but then she would slip me the end pieces, showing me her love with food. She had a sweet tooth and loved treats from Japan like daifuku and red bean cakes, and in her older years she liked gas station Sara Lee treats all the same. She didn’t have particularly fancy tastes, but give her the opportunity to order a filet mignon or a lobster, and she would take it. She took care of her body and exercised all her life, whether it was ballet or Jazzercise, and she would drink green tea everyday and some mysterious green sludge that I always thought was algae. She looked so much younger than she actually was, which she loved to get compliments on, and every birthday she would tell me she was 39, which I believed until I realized my mom was older than her. She never left the house without makeup and perfectly coiffed, dyed brown hair, and a stylish outfit and handbag, cruising around in her Mercedes. She took care of her mind with hobbies she had throughout her life, from ballet to classical piano, Japanese watercolor painting and calligraphy to traditional Enka singing—and she was so good at all of them. She was a talented seamstress, and the top saleslady of Singer sewing machines and quickly became manager of the store where she worked, which isn’t hard to imagine as she could talk to anyone into anything with her charm and persistence. She was such an amazing person and lived through so much. Born Miyoko Ogura in 1927 in Tokyo, Japan, she and her sisters and brother were raised by a single mother and nanny since her father died young. She was in school when WWII broke out and was in the classroom when Tokyo was bombed. Her family fled to her grandfather’s home in the country. He was extremely strict, and the family lore is that he was descended from Samurai. After the war she was back in Tokyo, where she went to school and took ballet classes, when she met grandpa, who was stationed in Japan and followed an Air Force buddy who was dating one of grandma’s ballerina friends. Grandpa hung around until grandma finally agreed to go on a date with him, but she made him walk 5 steps behind her because she didn’t want to be seen with an American. He called her Tani, after her favorite Japanese ballet dancer because Miyoko was too hard for him to pronounce. They were married in 1952. When grandpa was transferred back to the U.S., Grandma had to get there by taking a military ship and was the only civilian on board for the 3 week trip across the Atlantic. She was extremely sea sick the entire time, got hepatitis, but this is just a testament to how strong of a person she was. It’s good she met grandpa because I don’t know if she would have been cut out for the docility expected of Japanese women at the time. She was sort of the black sheep of her family, loud and opinionated, always speaking her mind. Maybe she was better suited to the American way of independence and saying what you think. She had to assimilate quickly to American life. I cannot imagine what it was like as a Japanese woman in America after the war. I know she endured racism, but she never talked about it. She had my mom in the U.S. and my uncle in Japan. They spent years being stationed around the world—from Japan to California, Washington, Massachusetts, and 3 years in Germany—Grandma made friends wherever she went. Her home was filled with trinkets from all her journeys, which in my childhood I would scour and pine after. Miniature Japanese washi paper dolls for each month of the year; a collection of dog figurines to represent her beloved dobermans and shelties; adorable Hummel figurines from Germany; all the beautiful vintage china and glassware; everything kept perfect under glass in curio cabinets. Granted, she also had piles of plastic bags that she would wash out and reuse, a whole drawer full of rubber bands and Sweet And Low packets she took from restaurants, lipstick that was god-knows- how-old but worn down to the nub. She could be frugal to a fault, but she also had impeccable style and taste—closets full of handmade gowns and fur coats that I would borrow in high school and college because they were timelessly chic. She loved her things and she knew I loved them too, so she always lovingly said to me “all this is yours when I die”—that is why it hurts to have lost all those things in the wildfires. These things were her legacy and she wanted to pass them to her granddaughter. But they are not her only legacy—we all know that grandma had an impact on all of us and everyone that knew her. She and grandpa were married for 71 years, a feat I cannot even attempt with Sam unless we live to be in our 100’s. She has two children that were devoted to her and cared for her as the dementia slowly took her away. She has her grandchildren and four great grandchildren. I always dreamed of having a daughter so that I could name her after my grandma, and I’m so fortunate to have had June Miyoko last year, whom grandma got to meet. Every time my mom would tell her about June, she would say “and her middle name is Miyoko” and grandma would say “that’s my name!” and then she would forget and get pleasantly surprised when my mom told her again. She loved her family so much and we all loved her. I’m going to miss her terribly, but every time I think of her, it puts a smile on my face, thinking of the wonderful, boisterous, amazing person that she was.

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Janice Herrera posted a condolence

Friday, January 19, 2024

Joey asked me this past Thanksgiving why we don't have egg rolls anymore for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It turns out Tani's egg rolls were one of Joey's favorite holiday dishes through the years! I explained to him that Tani was the one who made them. He said, "Oh, I miss her!" Well, we all do now. What a wonderful, gifted, kind, and joyful person she was!

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Janet Griffin posted a condolence

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Your mom had such an amazing and eventful life--she was a beautiful person, inside and out. I will never forget her warm and welcoming hospitality, her cheerful laugh and how she smiled with her eyes, her love and devotion for her dogs, and her enviable dedication to jazzercise for years and years. She was also such a wonderful cook, and I'll always remember her delicious egg rolls and teriyaki chicken. The saying, "she lit up a room" is absolutely true about her. I'm so thankful to have been blessed by knowing her. With love, Gail That was so well done and interesting...all those details I never knew before. I'm sure the service will be very nice. I will miss her very much, I've known her since I was probably 7 or 8 years old, so basically, my whole life and knew her better than pretty much all the aunts on Mom & Dad's sides. I think my earliest memory was when she made some snacks when we went over to swim in their pool at the Cupertino house. - Alan Your mother was an accomplished, artistic, skilled and, if I may say so, very attractive woman. I regret not having had the pleasure of meeting her. She had a long, varied and eventful life, blessed with a loving family. Few of us could ask for more. With affection, and sympathy to you and the family. - Steve Emily let me know of your mother's passing. I just wanted to share how many lovely memories I have of your mother from Jazzercise. She always beamed her beautiful smile up at me while I taught, which always gave me confidence (particularly when I was just starting out.) She was graceful, in a literal sense-full of grace. She exuded grace in her manner and in her movement. I will fondly think of her kindness and see her "in her spot" on the floor at Jazzercise, moving fluidly and enjoying herself. Peace to you and your family during this sensitive time. Sincerely, Amber Walker I think the obituary describes your mother's life in a most elegant way. She was an extraordinary woman. I'm not sure she ever forgave me for looking at her driver's license. I'll always have fond memories of her. - Gary I'm so sorry. She was such a sweet lady. Don and I have some nice memories of times spent with her. We always enjoyed camping at Lake McSwain with Bob and Tani. Lots of fun! She will be missed. - Kathy and Don Good afternoon to you and your family. Thank you so very much. I'm sorry for your loss. I have had some really great time with your folks. I'll call your dad later. Love to all your family. John Williams I am so sorry to hear of your mothers passing. I know I haven't seen you all for some time, but think of you often when I pass their property, sending love and hope you are doing as well as can be expected. Tani was such an amazing woman and I feel super honored to have known her and danced with her too. Lots of love, Hallie Greene Thank you for sharing that with me. Why did I sense this? First of all, I loved her. That ever present smile and lovely way about her. We share your grief and sorrow. Thank you for this update. Will there be a memorial service? I know many would like to know when you have that planned. This is all very recent and hope YOU are well and at peace as she continues her journey beyond us. Love to you,Janet! - Emily Greene I have so many good memories of your mom through the years, from her delicious egg rolls to making tons of origami swans for your wedding with her. I always loved her spunk and humor, and she is certainly missed. Both of you, your Dad, brother, kids and grandkids are in our prayers for God's comfort. We love you, Joe, Janice & Joey I am so sorry to hear of Tani passing. We all enjoyed her so much. Her hospitality was inspiring to me. I know you will miss her so much. Thinking of and praying for you all, Sue and Ray I'm sorry to hear of Mrs, McReynold's passing. So many memories come back - of when Jerry and I came back from camp to their house and she hugged Jerry and then realized he was filthy! - of delicious meals at their house. In all the memories I remember how she would always ask me questions about myself. She was really interested. I am praying for comfort and remembering cherished moments you both, Mr, McReynolds, and Jerry. - Daryl

A Memorial Tree was planted for Tani J. McReynolds

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Santa Cruz Mission Chapel Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

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Tani J. McReynolds

1927 - 2024

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