OTSUKA, Ayako

Otsuka

October 11, 1916 to Sept 16,2019

Ayako (Kaye) Otsuka has taken off on her final journey, Sept 16, 2019 with no return ticket.

She leaves behind her daughter, Neva (Sut) Oishi; granddaughters, Kara (Eric) Coffey, Joelle (Tyler) Thornhill; grandson, Craig (Karen) Oishi; and great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Lauren Oishi, Elise and Claire Coffey, Nolan and Akemi Thornhill. Survived by nephews and nieces, especially Ken (Sharron) Moriyama and Jackie (Barrie) Robb. Will be missed by her dear friend Rev. Aldeen McKay

Predeceased by parents, Torao and Asa Amemori; brother, Mitsuo (Kikue) Amemori; sisters, Tomiko (Fred) Imakire, Akiko (Gus) Moriyama, Kinko (Tucker) Hironaka and Chieko (Jack) Nishiyama.

Ayako was born in Port Moody BC, grade school in BC, Highschool in Japan and bachelor of Arts from the University of Lethbridge. She and her family were evacuated from the west coast, transplanted into Alberta, and started a new life. She worked from sugar beet farms to a house keeper, then to clerk, and then to a book keeper where she eventually retired. She taught Japanese for many years and continued to help Japanese immigrants from Japan. She travelled around the world in later years, took up golf, clogging, tai chi, art, computers. She not only learned computers, she taught computers for years. Art was the love of her life. She taught various forms of art way into her 90’s. She has won many honors and awards and was admired by many. Kaye was also a long standing member of the Japanese United Church. She lived a remarkable life through trials and tribulations.

There will be a celebration of life memorial on Saturday Sept. 21, 11am at Mckillop United Methodist Church followed by meet the family in the reception area.

Mom requested no flowers or koden. She cared for the homeless and street children. She would appreciate your donation going to Streets Alive, 323 4th Street S. Lethbridge AB T1J 1Z9 or Covenant House 575 Drake St. Vancouver B.C. V6B 4K8. Special thanks to Dr. Yamashita, Dr. Shukkoor and the staff at Cedar Creek Adaptacare for their compassionate care.

To send condolences, please visit www.generationsfh.ca