Lydia ("Liddy") Li-mei Eiko Miyashita, age 5 1/2, earned her angel wings at approximately 4:35 p.m. on February 25, 2009 in Punta Gorda, Florida after a six month battle with acute myeloid leukemia. She was the daughter of Mark and Monica (Raber) Miyashita of Orrville, Ohio. She was born in Guangdong Province China July 3, 2003 and met her forever family in China on July 4, 2004. Lydia lived in Orrville and was a kindergarten student at Maple Street Elementary School in Orrville, having also attended both St. Mary's Sharing and Caring Preschool in Wooster, and Trinity Nursery School and Child Care in Orrville. She attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Orrville.
Lydia was an extremely bright and energetic child, who loved to act, dance ballet, swim, and play her violin. She loved the beach and Lakeside, Ohio. She was well-traveled and was a fan of all forms of theatre, including and in particular, the musical "Cats". Lydia had three cats of her own: Daisy, Sherlock and Aggie, and loved to wear grease paint and dress up as a Jellicle Cat with her brother Max. She was a talented artist who noticed the smallest details about people. Lydia will be remembered by all who knew her, met her or even heard of her story as an effervescent, exuberant, unique and special child.
Lydia is survived by her parents, Mark and Monica (Raber) Miyashita; her three year old brother Maxwell; maternal grandparents John and Betty Raber of Wooster, Ohio; paternal grandparents, Yoshifumi and Linda Miyashita of Brookfield, Ohio; paternal great-grandmother, Haruko Miyashita of Hachioji Japan, as well as by the doctors, nurses, staff, patients and families of the 5600 Unit at Akron Children's Hospital, and by the numerous extended family and friends who knew this special child, including very special doctor/friend Dr. Xiaxin Li. She is also survived by her birthparents and two sisters and one brother in China. A brother in China predeceased her.
A Memorial Service, open to the public, celebrating her life will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 1556 Rex Drive in Orrville, Ohio on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend David Kowaleski and Dr. David Wilcox officiating. Calling hours also open to the public will be held at Auble Funeral Home at 512 East Oak St. Orrville, Ohio from 6-8 pm on Saturday February 28, 2009. Lydia will be interred at Crown Hill Memorial Cemetery in Orrville in a private burial service at a later date. Lydia's family established a caring bridge website during her treatment for friends and family, and those wishing to visit and leave a message for the family may do so at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lydialimeieikomiyashita
