Obituary of Kaori Shaul

Kaori (Kei) (Shimizu) Shaul passed away peacefully on November 5, 2021 at Ideal Senior Living Center, five weeks before her 95th birthday. Kei was predeceased by her husband of 59 years Roy (Reds) Shaul. A brother, brother- and sister-in-law in Japan, brothers- and sisters-in-law Ernie and Avis Shaul and Douglas and Nellie Spitz, and brothers-in-law Harvey Foster, Faris Kenien, George Kenien and Al Climer also predeceased Kei. She is survived by her children Joji and Tee Grey (Neptune, NJ), Pat and Rick Musa (Candor, NY), Pat and Dempie Shaul (Lawrenceville, GA), Mike and Ratchanee Shaul (Marietta, GA), Matt and Kathie Shaul (Kennesaw, GA), Kelly Shaul and Hiromi Huffman (San Diego, CA), Peg and Chris Buck (Morristown, NJ), and Dan Shaul and Sònia Muñoz (Washington, DC). Her sister- and brother-in-law Sharon and Lou Galli, sisters-in-law Marie Foster, Essie Climer, Nan Kenien, and Esther Kenien, survive Kei as well. Fourteen grandchildren (spouses), and numerous great grandchildren, nephews and nieces also survive Kei. Kei was born in Gifu, Japan on December 12, 1926. Kei went to work for the American Occupation Forces in Japan shortly after the end of WW II and met Roy when he was stationed in Japan on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. They were married on 23 July 1955 in the Catholic missionary church in Gifu, Japan. During their many years in service, besides moving a number of times, Kei twice took care of their family when Roy was deployed overseas for extended tours. Once settling in Binghamton, Kei was a day care provider in the family home and a natural liaison of newcomers from Japan. She was one of the original members of a tight-knit Japanese community centered at the Kampai Restaurant. An accomplished cook of Japanese and American food, Kei was an excellent wife and a spirited Momma-san. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 9 a.m. at SS. Cyril & Methodius Church, 148 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY, with her Funeral Mass following at 10 a.m. Her burial will be at a later date when Kei will join her husband in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Kei can be made to Catholic Charities of Broome County, 232 Main St. Binghamton, NY 13905 (www.catholiccharitiesbc.org / 607-729-9166).