Honoring a Sister Cities Icon: Ruth Hashimoto

I have been fortunate in my nearly three-year tenure to meet thousands of sister city volunteer leaders from around the U.S. and the globe. I am always struck by the passion and commitment of our members. Unfortunately earlier this week, the Sister Cities International family lost one of our leaders when she passed away - Ruth Hashimoto, a legendary figure in our organization.

Ruth’s daughter, Ada Jane Akin, shared this message about her passing:

"My mother passed away peacefully on Monday, 1/4/2010, about 5:15am MT. She had been in declining health for the past few months, and her 96-year-old body finally decided it was time to go. My family and I are comforted by the knowledge that she was well-cared for and comfortable during her last days."

As we circulated the news today, in a short few hours I received a notable number of personal messages from sister city members about Ruth. I’d like to share just a few:

• A great loss to our organization. A friend to all, an inspiration and the kindest person you could ever hope to meet.
• It is sad to lose our long-time friend. She inspired so many of us through the years. So many treasured memories... her twinkling eyes, her ready smile, her origami offerings to us, her picture taking and photographs sent to us after each meeting, and most of all, her faith in the good of her fellowman and her steadfast belief in and love for Sister Cities.
• Ruth's legacy will live on through those of us who were fortunate to know - and love - her.
• A great board member and great Sister City enthusiast.
• My first impression of Sister Cities International was my Friend, Ruth. We both shared the same name and she sorta took me under her wing. Every time we met, she made me feel so very special. Her thoughtful and loving ways endeared her to so many of us that we each and all felt her “motherly instincts”. Her passion for SCI was contagious and certainly will linger with us for many years to come. To me, she WAS SISTER CITIES.

Thank you to all of those members who shared their thoughts with me. I didn’t have chance to meet Ruth, which is my loss, but based on everything I know of her, I think she’d appreciate this reflection by British Poet and Painter David Harkins:

“You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,

or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her only that she is gone,

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what she'd want:

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

I invite those of you who knew her to share your stories, thoughts, and reflections. Add your comment below so we can celebrate her legacy and…go on.  

~Patrick Madden, President & CEO, Sister Cities International