Mary D. Murakami, 91; helped immigrants settle

Mary D. Murakami, 91, of Medford, who helped Japanese and other immigrants settle and find jobs in the Philadelphia area after World War II, died Saturday, Aug. 14, at Medford Leas.

When Mrs. Murakami moved to Philadelphia in the late 1940s, she joined the International Institute, now the Nationalities Service Center, as a volunteer and then was hired as a bookkeeper.

Because she was U.S.-born and spoke English, Mrs. Murakami helped immigrants apply for jobs and find places to live. She also translated for them, her son Robert said.

Finding jobs for immigrants after the war was difficult because American soldiers were back and in need of permanent jobs, her son said. But Mrs. Murakami placed workers in industries that included farming and manufacturing.

Through the International Institute, Mrs. Murakami made many friends and met her future husband, Tomomi, at a social event sponsored by the institute. They married in 1949.

After their first child was born in 1950, the Murakamis moved to Barrington, and Mrs. Murakami left her post with the International Institute.

She remained involved with the Japanese American Citizens League for many years. In 1962, the Murakamis moved to Cherry Hill, where they lived until 1998, except for four years in the 1970s when Tom Murakami's job took them to Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands chain of the Pacific Ocean.

Mrs. Murakami was born Mary D. Doi in San Dimas, Calif. When she was 13, her family moved to Japan, but she returned to the United States by herself after graduating from high school.

She moved into her older brother's California home and attended Citrus Junior College in Glendora, where she earned an accounting degree.

During the World War II internment of Japanese Americans, Mrs. Murakami and her brother's family were sent to a camp in Cody, Wyo.

While she was there, she and another woman were hired to work for the Schlitz family of the Schlitz Brewing Co. in Milwaukee, her family said. She cooked, cleaned, and helped look after the children.

After working there for two years, she moved to Philadelphia.

In addition to her husband and her son Robert, Mrs. Murakami is survived by sons Keith and Thomas, daughters Linda Murakami and Marcia Henrici, two grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Friends may call after 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd., where a memorial service will begin at 11.