Our adored and cherished Mom, Little Gramma, Ellen, began her story in Lihue Kauai, Hawaii, the only daughter born to Kazuo and Tokiko Tsuchiyama. She was a lucky little girl that got to grow up in a tropical paradise with her 3 brothers, Edward "Masayuki", Stanford Takeo "Take", and Howard Isami.

Her next chapter was her courageous journey to the main land to continue her education at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska, where she graduated with her teaching degree. She taught school in Nebraska for a year. She and a friend got a teaching position in Alaska. On the journey there, her friend got homesick, so they took a detour to Pocatello, where they stayed. Ellen taught at Alameda Jr High in Pocatello for about a year, before she started her 30 year career at Blackfoot High School. She is well known in the community, having taught many, many residents. Common description we hear, "She was my favorite teacher. Tough, but my favorite". All 4'8" of her was not afraid to put even the biggest football player in his place, if need be.

She married Gilbert Rex Lish in 1964, and was blessed with her daughter, Vickie in 1966. Rex and Ellen later divorced and Ellen became a strong single mother. Until, she met the love of her life, Darhl D Hughes, at a Parents without Partners meeting. They were married on 10-24-1980, and she gained 3 wonderful sons, Randy, Rodney, and Rick. She has also been blessed with 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She once said, "Grandchildren keep you young.", and it must have worked, because she was incredibly active. She was an avid swimmer, took up cross country skiing and snowshoeing, all of which she shared with her entire family. She was so active that her Doctor once told her she needed slow down.

She loved traveling, taking many trips back to her home in Hawaii. One of her most memorable trips was to Greece, and she often spoke of the trip back east to all the historical sites. She was, however, always excited to come home to her beloved dogs. She looked forward to the yearly planting of her flowers with the great grandkids. She was a member of the Blackfoot Elks Lodge Does, and Zonta.

The last chapter of her life was not an easy one, with her health issues, but she handled it with grace and dignity. She drew her last breath with Vickie holding her hand, and surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Vickie Lish (Peter Myers), Daughter in law, Brenda Hughes, Son, Rick (April) Hughes, five grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, and innumerable nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, all 3 brothers, Husband, Darhl, and sons, Randy and Rodney.

There will be a Does memorial service on 10-17-23 at the Blackfoot Elks Lodge at 6 pm. Per her wishes, her ashes will be spread at a later date in her home State of Hawaii.

The family is under the care of Hawker Funeral Home. Memories of Ellen and condolences to her family can be shared at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com. 

Source: https://www.postregister.com/obituaries/hughes-ellen-fuyuko-tschiyama/article_60ddb899-6f72-5856-aad9-032fe81cdc84.html