Hiroko Katada DeLong, 79, passed away at her home in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

She is survived by her husband, John Delong (Murfreesboro); son Donald Philip DeLong (Murfreesboro), daughter Simone Takako DeLong (Murfreesboro), granddaughter Anastasia McCleary (Woodstock, Ga.), granddaughter Rachael McCleary (Brunswick, Ga.), and grandson Ethan McCleary (Woodstock, Ga.)

She was born in Seoul, South Korea on March 3, 1940. She was raised in Japan in her formative years and was a beautician in Yokohama, Japan. It was in Yokohama where she met John DeLong, who was stationed in Yokohama at the time with the U.S. Navy, while cutting his hair.  Their relationship blossomed and in 1970, she married John at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan and moved to Clayton, Ind., shortly after their wedding. Through the years, she’s lived in Plainfield, Ind.; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Richmond, Indiana. In 1989, the family moved to McMinnville where they remained for 28 years and then moved to Murfreesboro to live out her last remaining years near family. She was a loving wife, proud mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren. She was a lifelong Buddhist.

The family is planning a small ceremony in her memory. The date will be announced later. Please send flowers and condolence cards to Simone DeLong, 7525 Antietam Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

Smith Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 3277 Franklin Rd., Murfreesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard

(McMinnnville, Tenn.) Oct. 11, 2019