Obituary of Hideko Takahashi Nightingale

Hideko Takahashi Nightingale of Andover, MN, passed away peacefully just after midnight on May 14th, 2024.

Hideko was born on August 20th, 1937, in Fukushima Ken, Japan. She was raised on a farm with many sisters and brothers. While working in Japan on an American military base golf course, she met and married a Naval servicemember, William Nightingale, on January 24th, 1969. They began their new lives together upon relocating to Chaska, MN.

Hideko was an extremely generous, selfless, and kind person. She lovingly put her whole heart and spirit into raising her children and grandchildren. Never one to indulge in material goods or experiences, she always put family first. This gave her immense pride, joy, and satisfaction.

Hideko taught her children and grandchildren the values of esteem, courage, character, hard work, strength, and respect. She conducted herself in a very humble and dignified manner while maintaining a great deal of independence, resiliency, and tenacity.

Hideko was a gifted artist who enjoyed oil painting, flower arranging, and sewing. She was an excellent seamstress and received numerous compliments on the quality of her work. She took exceptional care of her home, both indoors and out, maintaining a near immaculate lawn with a Japanese-inspired landscape.

Although Hideko had a challenging past year due to dementia, she never ceased to remain gentle, stoic, and graceful. Her persona and demeaner made a lasting impression on her family as well as her caregivers, especially those with her hospice team.

Hideko was a beautiful soul who will be forever missed by her family and those who knew her.

Hideko is survived by her children, Donald Nightingale and Youko Nightingale Shannon; grandchildren Drew Nightingale, Hailee Nightingale, Emmanuel Nightingale, and Anthony Shannon; former spouse William Nightingale, as well as a host of loving family members both here in Minnesota and Japan.