Shido, Fumiko Phd

ALBANY-With the passing of Dr. Fumiko Shido on Friday, June 1, 2018, the world lost a kind and gentle woman. Gardening, painting, classical music, and especially the companionship of her late partner, Dr. Akiho Miyashiro, brought Fumi great joy.

Born in 1931 in the Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu Island, Japan, Fumi subsequently studied at the Geological Institute, Tokyo University. There she was awarded the doctoral degree for her research in the field of metamorphic petrology. Together with Dr. Miyashiro she co-authored numerous studies in this area. In the late 1960’s they became members of the geological observatory at Columbia University, and in the early 1970’s joined the Department of Geological Studies at SUNY Albany. Dr. Miyashiro died in the summer of 2008.

Upon her retirement from the university Fumiko enrolled in the nursing program at Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, where she received her RN degree. She then chose to dedicate her days to painting, creating hundreds of insightful canvases that graced many an exhibition in the Capital District. Perhaps because she felt such a deep kinship with Vincent Van Gogh, her sunflower series, stands as a remarkable testament to her vision. For more than forty years she met weekly with her “Friday painting group” who will deeply miss her presence.

Fumi also cultivated a large and beautiful Japanese garden at her Albany home. Her knowledge of plants was extensive and she shared generously with her friends. Towards the closing years of her life Fumi cherished days spent driving in the Adirondack or Catskill Mountains listening to her Beethoven sonatas. Every sunset was beautiful to her and she took the time to contemplate each.

Fumi leaves behind her brother who resides in Tokyo, as well as the two daughters of Dr. Miyashiro. She especially leaves behind all who loved her. Her journey in this world is over. She once wrote that her wish was “all will treasure many pleasant memories of her and not feel too much sorrow and emptiness.”

Funeral services will be private. In accordance with her wishes, Fumi will be cremated and her ashes returned to nature.