Last surviving Monuments Woman dies of COVID-19 at 92
Motoko Fujishiro Huthwaite, the final surviving woman from the Monuments Men, passed away on May 4, 2020, at the age of 92 in Westland, Michigan, due to complications from COVID-19. During and after World War II, she was one of 27 Monuments Women in the MFAA, contributing to the retrieval of stolen art. Her death was announced by Robert W. Edsel, the author of "The Monuments Men," via Facebook and the foundation's website. Huthwaite began her work with the MFAA as a typist under SCAP following the war. Born on August 24, 1927, in Boston to Japanese immigrant parents, she left the U.S. after the attack on Pearl Harbor and later obtained an English degree, enjoying a lengthy academic career.
Key facts
- Motoko Fujishiro Huthwaite died on May 4, 2020, in Westland, Michigan, at age 92 from COVID-19.
- She was the last surviving female Monuments Woman, one of 27 who served in the MFAA section.
- The Monuments Men were a group of about 345 men and women from 14 nations who volunteered to protect cultural treasures during WWII.
- Huthwaite joined the MFAA as a typist after the war, transcribing reports and correspondence.
- She was born in Boston on August 24, 1927, to Japanese immigrant parents and was forced to move to Japan after Pearl Harbor.
- Her father, a Harvard professor and dentist, was arrested by the FBI for espionage and interned in Montana.
- After the war, she returned to Boston, earned a degree in English, and became an academic.
- Robert W. Edsel announced her death via Facebook and the Monuments Men Foundation website.
Entities
Artists
- Motoko Fujishiro Huthwaite
Institutions
- Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art
- Harvard University
- FBI
- Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP)
Locations
- Westland
- Michigan
- Boston
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Japan