Dorothy Marie Tamai 1940 – 2022
In loving memory of Mrs. Dottie Marie Tamai, who passed away due to cancer and other complications on Wednesday September 28 at her home, surrounded by her children.
She was the wife of Sensei Ken Tamai, mother of Margie Kettl, Joan Smith-Sullivan, Kevin Tamai, Karl Tamai, Kurt Tamai and Diane Jackson. She was a member of Shufu Judo yudanshakai.
She started her judo path in 1959 at the Washington Judo club where she met and married Ken Tamai. She 
earned the rank of shodan.
Dottie not only raised two generations of judoka, but also continued to serve this yudanshakai up until she passed.
She is survived by her brother, 6 children, 16 grand children and 9 great grandchildren
There will be a viewing on Friday Oct 7 from 4-8pm at Gasch’s funeral home (4739 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, MD. 301-927-6100).
A final viewing will be at St. Ambrose Catholic Church (3107 63rd Ave, Cheverly, MD. , 301-773-9300) from 9-930 on Saturday, October 8.
A funeral mass will be at 10 – 11 am at St Ambrose, followed by a reception/celebration of life at St Ambrose’s Fannon hall from 11-1.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Dottie Tamai’s name.
Link to Obituary
The Tamai Family: Top: <Margie, Katie, Alex, Sarah, Dottie Middle: Jake Front: Karl, Kurt, Diane, Kevin
Remembrance: Shufu Judo has lost one of the unsung heroes and supporters of judo, Dottie Tamai. Shufu Yudanshakai will miss you.
Miki Takemori
(President of Shufu Yudanshakai).
