Henrietta B. Alsdorf, 93, formerly of Bainbridge Island, died on March 18 at Northwest Hospital in Seattle.

She was born in Corydon, Ind. on June 25, 1914. Even as a young girl Henrietta felt passionate about peace and social justice, and she wanted to do something significant with her life.

She attended Oberlin College, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While doing graduate work in English at Yale University, she grew increasingly concerned with strife around the world, which led her to teach at a women’s college in Japan.

While attending language school in Tokyo, she met a handsome young missionary named Howard Alsdorf. They were married in 1940 and honeymooned in China.

Fearing war with Japan, the U.S. government advised all foreigners to leave. So the young couple sailed to India, where they lived from 1941-1945. Their first two sons, John and Fred, were born there.

When they returned to the U.S., Howard attended graduate school, and two more sons, Bob and Augie, were born. In 1949, the family returned to Japan, where they lived until 1965.

Back in the United States, they ultimately settled in Bellevue, Ky., near Cincinnati, where Howard was the pastor of a Lutheran Church and Henrietta taught first grade.

She was a dedicated teacher with a special gift for reaching and inspiring children who struggled to learn.

She continued her commitment to peace and justice through community activities.

In 1987 she and Howard moved to Bainbridge Island to be near two of their sons. They were active members of Bethany Lutheran Church.

After Howard’s death in 1998, she moved to Ida Culver House and finally to Foss Village in Seattle.

Henrietta was an abundantly talented woman who played both piano and organ beautifully. She also loved to paint, sew, knit, cook and write.

She self-published a memoir called “Home Is Where,” in which she shared her experiences in Japan and India and the challenges of raising four boys far from home.

It was her fervent hope that readers of her book would be inspired to communicate in a spirit of understanding and love and to seek justice and peace in their homes, their communities and the world.

Family was central to Henrietta’s life. She is survived by a brother, Fredric Bulleit of Lititz, Pa.; her four sons, John Alsdorf of Wilton, Conn; Fred Alsdorf of Kobe, Japan; and Bob and Augie Alsdorf of Seattle; seven grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. April 12 at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the American Friends Service Committee at www.afsc.org, or AFSC Development, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.