Sachiko Bernadette Yagawa Mejchar, age 95 of Markesan and formerly of Milwaukee, was born to eternal life on Thursday, November 3, 2016.

A woman of great strength, dignity, and faith Sachiko found joy even in the most difficult times; her ability to impart that on others was one of her many gifts. Born on September 5, 1921 in Yamagata, Japan, the daughter of school teachers she was by nature a teacher.

At age 7 Sachiko lost her mother. She attended the school where her father was head master and her step-mother taught. She formed a love of music, her eventual field of study.

As a young woman she endured the scarcity and fear of war time Japan. She developed a life-long love for forest walks and mushroom picking. She found the Catholic faith and converted from Buddhism. She was confirmed under the name Bernadette and resided at the mission church in Yamagata serving the community there until she married Arthur Mejchar, a U.S. Army chaplain's assistant and aspiring writer. Though they did not share a common language the two were bonded by their shared faith. They were married on March 15, 1953 in Yamagata by Fr. Julian Holzer, who served as counselor and translator during their courtship.

Pregnant Sachiko traveled across the Pacific to join Arthur in Milwaukee. There she continued to serve the church and study as their family grew. She was the organist/choir director at St. Roman's and also worked in restaurants to support the family. She studied English and befriended many international students at MATC; enjoying the cultural exchange.

Sachiko's appreciation of beauty and learning continued into her later years as did her service to God. She shared her talents and culture with everyone she met. Teaching Japanese Embroidery at UW – Milwaukee and demonstrating origami and Japanese cooking through the Japanese American Citizens' League and at local school brought her joy. She was an avid foodie before such a thing existed. Her appreciation for delicacies and adventurous spirit endeared her to many. She held VIP status at every restaurant and market. The only thing she enjoyed more than great food was sharing it with others. She turned many hesitant friends into sushi lovers. Her artistic nature was often channeled through expressions of faith.  A dedicated member of the choirs at St. Stephen's and Gesu parishes; she also made vestments for the clergy and crafts for parish bazaars.

In recent years her love for food, sharing and family endured. She formed an appreciation for basketball and selfies, which she loved sharing with her great-grandchildren. Sachiko brought joy to those around her as many new people entered her life. Her strength, humor, and generosity touched us all.

Sachiko is survived by her children, John (Deborah) Mejchar of Markesan; Juliana Nadeau of Cary, IL, Benny Mejchar of Nagoya, Japan and Monica West of Milwaukee; grandchildren, Leila, Dustin, Andy, Simone, Danielle, Benjamin and Sam; great-grandchild, Mina, 14 other great-grandchildren; and further survived by other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur in 2009; granddaughter, Amelia and son-in-law, Leonard Nadeau.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Sachiko will be celebrated on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Church of the Gesu, 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee.