Very early the morning of October 14, we lost Rose's Mother and Ian, Kayla and Logan's Grandmother, after a very short illness.

Atsuko Murphy was on this Earth for 94 & 1/2 years and she would always illuminate any room that she walked into with that twinkle in her eyes and her infectious smile! She was always gracious and welcoming to everyone that she met. She resided at Kearsley Daly Villa in Genesee Township for the last 16 years and over these last five days Atsuko has been noticeably absent to the residents there because she was unable to walk and visit her many friends.
Atsuko Hoshina, was born in Japan in 1930 and as a teen growing up she survived the horrors of war and of the American aircraft firebombing of Tokyo.
In 1956, she married U.S. Army Sergeant Thomas R. Murphy (of Lapeer, MI), who was stationed in Japan at that time and when the newly married couple returned to the U.S. and to Fort Dix, New Jersey, in early 1957. Here, their first child was born prematurally and died 4 hours later.
Thomas & Atsuko were soon transferred to France where my wife Rose was born in 1960 and they were subsequently transferred to Germany and eventually returning to Michigan where Thomas retired from the Army in 1966?
Atsuko requested to be cremated. No formal funeral service will take place at her request. She will be laid to rest at the Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey alongside her Husband Tom (who died in March of 1986), and her infant son Patrick Murphy.

A celebration of life presentation is planned for the near future. Plumb - Smith Funeral home in Flint, MI is taking care of her arrangements.  In lieu of flowers family suggests memorial contributions to the Genesee County Humane Society ( https://geneseehumane.org/give/online-donation/) .

A more detailed obituary and Facebook post is planned in honor of this "Tiny Giant of a Lady!" We love you Atsuko and we all have an enormous cavern in our hearts. We are comforted in knowing you will soon be reunited with Tom and Patrick.i