SEKIYA, Fumiko

SEKIYA

In loving memory of Fumiko Sekiya (Koyata), Edmonton, who passed away January 23, 2021 after a short illness. Born May 7, 1923, third of nine children, to Takejiro and Isa (Yamamura) Koyata, Raymond Alberta. Predeceased in 1995 by her husband, Sosuke (John) Sekiya, oldest son of Tashichi and Tatsu (Watanabe) originally from Shigaken Japan. Fumiko is survived by five children, Joanne Dowson (Bill, deceased), Edmonton; Kenichi (Jacky Sims) Vancouver; Naomi Rattai, Napa California; David, Edmonton and Sonny, Lethbridge. Also three grandchildren, Aaron Dowson (Sherry Hunt); Sarah Isa Dowson, (Thomas Motyka) and Yukio Rattai plus five great grandchildren, William and James Dowson, and Annabelle Fumiko, Matthew and Daniel Motyka. She is predeceased by siblings, Minoru, Shoji, Natsuko Sawada, Hikoza, Mae Sasaki and Toshiko Tanaka; survived by siblings, Takeshi and Isamu Koyata and many nieces and nephews. She married in 1946 and with dad farmed in Raymond and Taber; moved to Lethbridge in 1964. She worked at Green Acres Lodge until her retirement. Mom loved gardening and travelling to California, New Mexico, Nevada, and British Columbia to visit her children. Also overseas to Hawaii, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. Mom was a gentle soul, generous with her time and love for her family. Aaron and Sherry added, “nobody liked to laugh as much as her and her quick wit and great sense of humour always kept us smiling.” Ken and Jacky remembered her love of animals and warm heart. Everyone remembers mom’s botamochi she made for special occasions. We appreciated bedside prayer conducted remotely by Izumi Sensei. Due to COVID 19 restrictions we hope to have a celebration of life for mom in Lethbridge at a later date.