Mitsuko “Dot” Parker, this woman lived an incredible life!Born in Ipoh, Malaysia her journey began when she was born in 1932. Surviving the early part of WWII in Southeast Asia and escaping through the jungles to Singapore to finally reach Japan. Being a translator for the US immediately after the war she met the love of her life, Cecil Parker, and marrying on June 16, 1956. The two of them began sharing their journey together. When she became a US citizen in November of 1966, her goal was to see all 50 states of her new country. Over her 90 years, the adventure took her to 14 countries, and she succeeded to see all 50 states.
Traveling with Cecil from Navy base to Navy base all over the world she made it her mission to learn about the country she was in and to explore, even if it was on her own. Taking buses to distant towns, going to flea markets to barter, and learning about local foods and customs. Unlike her siblings, she had a zest for travel and learning new things.
Sadly, her adventures ended on December 31, 2022. She leaves behind an influence of love and curiosity to all of us, who are better off because of her. Although she is no longer with us, we know she is looking down on us saying “life is too short to not be happy” and “take life in big bites”.
In addition to her parents, Tokuichi Yoshida and Shizuko Obata Yoshida, she was predeceased by her husband, Cecil Parker, daughter Vicki Tardo and by her other siblings. Surviving are her sons, Max Parker and his wife Laura of Florence, SC; Troy Parker and his wife Donna of Lake Havasu City, AZ; Glen Parker and his wife Rebecca of Macon, GA; son-in-law Tim Tardo and his wife Virginia of Mandeville, LA; 11 grandchildren, Victor Vanacore III, Celeste Parker, Anthony Parker, Jared Parker, Jessica Tardo, Chelsea Parker-Kruppi, Michael Parker, Jonny Parker, Sara Pridgen, Kaitlyn Parker, and Jeffery Parker.
A memorial and internment of her ashes will be held 10am March 31, 2023, at Forest Meadows cemetery in Gainesville, FL (4100 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606). A gathering for a celebration of life will be immediately following at Dot’s favorite Japanese restaurant, Ichiban Sushi (4928 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 33928). In lieu of flowers my mother requested that any donations be made to Advent Christian Village’s Health Services Home Care (select Other in Designation option and type Home Care), https://www.acvillage.net/support-acv-ministry/or to Advent Christian Village P.O. Box 4305 Dowling Park, FL 32064 (Reference Health Service Home Care in the memo)
