Louise Picon Shimizu (1947-2020)
May 29, 2020
Born July 5, 1947, in Arlington, VA, she was the daughter of the late Leon and Lucy Long Picon. As her parents were stationed in England and Japan, her childhood years were spent abroad with her two siblings, Ellen and Bill, their adventures becoming the source of much family lore. After studying Linguistics, Japanese, and Chinese at Georgetown University, she worked as lecturer of English in Japan and met Masaharu at IIST. The two bonded over the Koto, a Japanese harp instrument, which Masaharu enjoyed playing in his free time. Louise became interested in learning to play the Koto, and Masaharu interested in teaching Louise, but soon became more interested in each other. The two married in 1971 and spent 28 years in Tokyo, Washington DC and Sydney (Australia), before settling in North Bethesda, MD.
Louise’s modest nature often concealed the extensive range of her contributions to various projects and organizations. She took her love for community, culture, languages, and motherhood, and channeled them into opportunities to help and support others. While in Japan, she taught English at the newly established graduate business school (IIST), taught childbirth education to foreign residents in Tokyo, simultaneously contributed to introduce and promote in Japan natural childbirth methods including the Lamaze technique, translated and authored a number of books on childbirth in Japan, co-authored the Japan Health Handbook, a comprehensive guide for navigating the Japanese Health care system for residents from abroad, and helped operate and expand a multi-language medical call-in center for foreign residents in Japan (AMDA International Medical Information Center), all while mothering three rambunctious boys.
After moving back to the Washington D.C. area, she started working as a coordinator for WBFN, where she worked in various capacities to help World Bank families in transition from their respective countries. Following her work at the Bank, she became involved with the Aschiana Foundation where she worked tirelessly to help educate and improve the well-being of vulnerable children in Afghanistan. Throughout, Japan was always close to her heart, and as a member of the Omotesenke Domonkai Washington DC, she enjoyed practicing and promoting Japanese Tea culture with Masaharu.
Louise’s greatest passion, however, was always family. During 50 years with Masaharu characterized by love and adventure, they raised three sons, Edowa, Thomas, and Ken. They discovered the great joy of grandparenting with the arrival of Renna, Sachi, Rei, and Kaiwa, as well as grandniece, Paloma, nurturing strong bonds with each of them. Unfazed by the distance to England, the Netherlands, and Australia, Louise travelled to visit them whenever she and Masaharu were able to, and in the meanwhile, pioneered digital grandparenting via Skype (and later WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, eBooks) engaging the children regularly with books, songs, puppet shows, and games — always with endless charm, and love.
As the product of an international upbringing, she had a deep appreciation for the need of community beyond borders, and was dedicated to bridging cultures through her work and friendships. She raised her children with a strong cross-cultural foundation, naturally fostering a global family rooted across three continents and Japan.
Louise’s modest nature often concealed the extensive range of her contributions to various projects and organizations. She took her love for community, culture, languages, and motherhood, and channeled them into opportunities to help and support others. While in Japan, she taught English at the newly established graduate business school (IIST), taught childbirth education to foreign residents in Tokyo, simultaneously contributed to introduce and promote in Japan natural childbirth methods including the Lamaze technique, translated and authored a number of books on childbirth in Japan, co-authored the Japan Health Handbook, a comprehensive guide for navigating the Japanese Health care system for residents from abroad, and helped operate and expand a multi-language medical call-in center for foreign residents in Japan (AMDA International Medical Information Center), all while mothering three rambunctious boys.
After moving back to the Washington D.C. area, she started working as a coordinator for WBFN, where she worked in various capacities to help World Bank families in transition from their respective countries. Following her work at the Bank, she became involved with the Aschiana Foundation where she worked tirelessly to help educate and improve the well-being of vulnerable children in Afghanistan. Throughout, Japan was always close to her heart, and as a member of the Omotesenke Domonkai Washington DC, she enjoyed practicing and promoting Japanese Tea culture with Masaharu.
Louise’s greatest passion, however, was always family. During 50 years with Masaharu characterized by love and adventure, they raised three sons, Edowa, Thomas, and Ken. They discovered the great joy of grandparenting with the arrival of Renna, Sachi, Rei, and Kaiwa, as well as grandniece, Paloma, nurturing strong bonds with each of them. Unfazed by the distance to England, the Netherlands, and Australia, Louise travelled to visit them whenever she and Masaharu were able to, and in the meanwhile, pioneered digital grandparenting via Skype (and later WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, eBooks) engaging the children regularly with books, songs, puppet shows, and games — always with endless charm, and love.
As the product of an international upbringing, she had a deep appreciation for the need of community beyond borders, and was dedicated to bridging cultures through her work and friendships. She raised her children with a strong cross-cultural foundation, naturally fostering a global family rooted across three continents and Japan.