Kazuko "Margie" Yanagi Allen was born on August 17, 1928 to Natsuko and Fujitsu Yanagi. Her first name (和子)means "child of peace." Her surname means "Willow Tree." The place of her birth was Kushi Kimura, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. She married an American GI, Jesse Allen, a staff sergeant in the 367th Chemical Depot Company. His best friend and her best friend were dating and they introduced them to one another. They were married in 1951. Kazuko endured significant hardships throughout her life given the racial climate and circumstances experienced upon arrival in the United States that continued over many decades. Kazuko was a fine seamstress who could sew clothes without patterns. She did beautiful embroidery with tiny, precise stitches and often preferred to rely on hand sewing rather than using a sewing machine. She loved to draw occasionally and enjoyed crafts when materials were available. When going out, she loved being well-dressed. She liked family Sunday drives and fishing and vacation trips such as the one to the New York World's Fair. From time to time, Kazuko met a few Japanese women who were also married to Americans. She looked forward to their visits and having meals together as families. She particularly liked making sushi and sukiyaki. There were long drives to Baltimore to find appropriate ingredients. She took her studies seriously to become a US citizen, which occurred in 1964. In passing on December 26, 2024, she was 96 years old. She is survived by three children, Aiko Allen, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Jesse Allen (Gina), Hayward, CA; and Brenda Shockley (S. Glenn), Snow Hill, MD; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A sixth grandchild recently passed, and all are held with deep love. Burial will be held at a later date at the Eastern Shore Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Hurlock, where she will be laid to rest at her husband's gravesite. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com