Mitsuko “Mitsu” Shumaker

| January 28, 2015

2932597Mitsuko “Mits” Shumaker, 72, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2015, at her home in Sligo. Born on January 1, 1943, in Yokohama, Japan, Mitsu was the daughter of Setsuko and Masao Emori.

As a young child she was a tomboy, spending her days climbing trees, wading in streams catching crayfish and playing with friends and her many cousins. As she grew older she attended Kamakura High School, where her interests shifted to photography, classical violin and raising show dogs.

Mitsu’s experiences in the U.S. began in 1961 when she attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, majoring in French and English. During her college years she continued to play classical violin and had the position of first chair in her college’s orchestra.

In 1964 Mitsu returned to Japan to teach English at Yamate Junior/Senior High School, a private school founded by her mother, Setsuko Emori and uncle, Mikio Matsunobu. There she met her first husband, Richard McHenry, was married in 1965, and had two daughters, Michaelle and Christine.

In 1972 Mitsu and her family moved to Sligo to begin a new life in the U.S. The first few years were challenging and busy as they started Sligo Hardware.

Within a few years Mitsu began her work with the Southern Clarion County Ambulance Service (SCCAS). She started out as a First Aider and gradually worked her way to become a Paramedic. Her love of EMS spurred her on to become an EMT and Paramedic instructor. During the last 5 years of her career she served as the Director of Operations for SCCAS.

In 2000 Mitsuko was remarried to Carl Shumaker. They worked together for SCCAS and were also active members of the Sligo United Methodist Church. Mitsu served as the financial secretary and sang in the choir.

She was an avid gardener and landscaper, spending her free time gardening in the summers. She was also an animal lover, surrounding herself with many pets throughout her life, and possessing a special gift for rehabilitating wild animals.

Mitsu is survived by her husband, Carl Shumaker of Sligo, her daughter, Christine McHenry-Glenn, son-in-law, Leo Glenn and two grandchildren, Ossian and Rowan Glenn of Polk, and her husband’s eleven grandchildren and one great grandson.

Mitsu is preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Michaelle McHenry-Hirschman.

Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Service to celebrate Mitsu’s life. The service will be at 11:00 AM January 31, 2015 at the Sligo United Methodist Church with the Rev. Craig Peterson officiating.

A reception will follow at the Sligo Fire Hall.

Mitsu dedicated over 36 years of her life to serve the community through her work with SCCAS. She cared deeply about her community, and serving the area residents as a medic was her life’s passion. Her family suggests memorials be made to Southern Clarion County Ambulance Service.

Arrangements are at the direction of the Varner Funeral Home, 1632 Bald Eagle St. Sligo, PA 16255.


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Category: Obituaries