05/07/2026
It is with heartfelt appreciation for the many lives she touched that we share the passing of a longtime beloved member of the Mendocino College family, Machiko Shimada. After a long fight with cancer, she left us peacefully.
Joining Mendocino College as an adult student, Machiko began tutoring in the Learning Center and MESA in September 2002, marking the beginning of more than two decades of service to the college community. After completing her associate degree, she transferred to Sonoma State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Mendocino College was then fortunate to welcome her into the Math Department as part-time faculty, in addition to her continued support within the Learning Center and MESA communities. In 2020, the Lake Center was especially fortunate to welcome her as a full-time Center Assistant, a role she continued to serve in through this academic year.
The impact Machiko had on Mendocino College and the surrounding community is difficult to fully capture in words. She brought light, joy, and laughter to all those around her. Always willing to support each and every student, her specialty was encouraging others to believe in themselves. Through teaching remedial mathematics, she inspired many students to envision degrees and careers they may not otherwise have believed possible.
Her extraordinary ability to uplift others was recognized multiple times throughout her career. In 2017, Machiko was honored as Part-Time Faculty of Excellence, and in 2019, during Women’s History Month, she was recognized as the Part-Time Faculty Wonder Woman of the Year. Then again in 2020, the Full-time Faculty Association recognized Machiko with a Classified Staff Excellence award for her "willingness to go above and beyond for MC students. Her ready smile and knowledge of campus resources help students to feel welcomed and supported." Even these honors only begin to reflect the impact she had on the many lives she changed for the better.
Beyond the college, Machiko was also regularly literally saving lives through her countless kitty rescue and rehoming efforts. A longtime volunteer with the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County, she often spent her lunch breaks returning home to care for the animals she was fostering.
Machiko also brought joy to others through her musical talents. Beginning singing lessons at just three years old, she later became part of the singing group Majide. Majide performed regularly at the Blue Wing in Lakeport and participated in many fundraising efforts across Mendocino and Lake Counties. Please enjoy her renditions here.
Machiko came to the United States from Japan in the early 1970s and made her home in Lake County, where she raised her family. She was a true “back-to-the-lander”. Not just in spirit, but in action. She and her husband quite literally built their home together, creating something rooted in hard work, determination, and a lot of love. Machiko had cherry trees shipped from Japan to Lake County. A living reminder of the home she left behind in the ’70s. Those trees were more than trees; they were a bridge between two worlds. Sadly, during the last big fire in Lake County, Machiko lost her home and those beloved trees. And yet, Machiko met this tragedy and challenge with resilience and grace. Machiko carried on with a positive attitude. She will be so very missed! Machiko’s spirit will live on through her family, including her daughter, son, and two beloved grandsons.
Mendocino College offers counseling services to help students process this news and cope with any emotions they may be experiencing. To speak with a counselor, students can call 707-621-6463 or email [email protected], or use the online portal (https://mendocino.medicatconnect.com/) to schedule a confidential appointment. Employees can access district mental health resources for additional support. Human Resources is working with Carelon, our EAP program, to facilitate onsite grief counselors at the Lake Center. Those details will be shared once confirmed.
Additionally, if you or someone you know needs crisis services, please call or text 9-8-8, or visit www.988lifeline.org for immediate mental health or su***de prevention assistance. We encourage everyone to take care of themselves and those around them during this time. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.
The Lake Center will gather to celebrate the joy Machiko brought to so many lives. Additional details will be shared once arrangements have been finalized.
Composed with insight and love by Neydi Rodgriquez Zamora, Dariela Lopez, Rebecca Montes, Janet Daugherty, Leslie Banta, and Amanda Xu
