Mitsuko Stanley, 77, Marion, passed away at 5:57 pm on Sunday, April 6, 2025, with family by her side. She was born in Shizuoka-Ken, Japan, on Saturday, January 17, 1948.
Mitsuko was a 1966 graduate of Hitachi #2 High School in Ibaragi-Ken, Japan. She then decided to attend Dentists’ Assistant School attached to Tokyo and graduated in 1968 earning an equivalent to an associate’s degree. On October 8, 1971, she married W.L. Stanley, Jr., and he preceded her in death on August 3, 2018. Mitsuko earned her United States Citizenship in 1980.
Mitsuko worked as a lab technician for over 30 years with Dr. Gorman Orthodontics. She had a flair for life. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, quilting, knitting, doing floral arrangements, cooking, and spending time with family. Back when Marion hosted a multi-cultural event called Riverfest, Mitsuko proudly represented her Japanese heritage and culture. She would dress in traditional garb, kimono, and bring Japanese cuisine to sample and discuss Japanese traditions with those who visited her booth.
In addition, Mitsuko also participated in the Pan American Games in 1987, which was held in Indianapolis. On top of tending to work and being a dedicated wife and mother, she trained two to three times weekly to participate as a dancer for the event.
Mitsuko dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she will be greatly missed.
Mitsuko is survived by her son, David Shawn (Jennifer) Stanley of Marion; grandchildren, Aleciyah Stanley, Andréana Stanley, Tanner (significant other, Savannah Gauze) Stanley, Tiffany (significant other, Dylan Kerr) Stanley, and Treavor (significant other, Ashlianna Lewis) Kendall; and great-grandson, Ky’Von.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Toshio and Yoshiko (Ishida) Kimura; son, Jerry Stanley; and brother, Yuzuru Kimura.
The family will receive visitors from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
