Kay passed away on December 16, 2011 in Salmon Arm, BC.
She was predeceased by her parents Konoshin and Rin and brother Carl (Kay) and is survived by her remaining siblings Clara (Mac-deceased) Norris of West Vancouver BC, Pat (Maureen) of Nanoose Bay BC, George (Sally) Ogawa of Edmonton AB, June (Arlo) Sjoberg of North Vancouver BC and Art of Calgary AB and many nieces/great nieces and nephews/great nephews.
She was born in Alert Bay, BC, fourth of seven siblings. In 1940 the family moved from Telegraph Cove to Vancouver to pursue new opportunities. Then in January 1942 when the Japanese were forced to move outside of the “restricted coastal zone” they relocated to the Salmon Arm area in April 1942 and lived temporarily in South Canoe. In 1947 they moved to a newly built house on Coronation Avenue (7th) in Salmon Arm which remained their home until her parents retired in 1961. During her formative years she attended schools in South Canoe and Salmon Arm where she graduated from High School followed by Pitman Business College in Vancouver. She was employed by various forest products companies located in the city for a number of years. She eventually changed vocation and worked as a hair stylist before moving back to the Salmon Arm area where she found employment with the Interior Health Region until her retirement. By relocating she made many friends and reconnected with many of her high school friends who had either remained in the area or had returned as she had. One of her proud achievements was helping with the fund raising effort to replace the McGuire Lake fountain and raising the largest total donation. She was an active member of the Shuswap Lake Hospital Auxiliary as well as a supporter of promising young Kenyan students through KEEF. Keiko was an avid gardener and was proud of her yard. She also enjoyed cooking and entertaining so over the years, many friends had the opportunity to gather at her home to share the good food, drinks and company.
We wish to thank her loving and devoted friends who supported her through her lengthy illness. Our thanks to Dr. Plessis, Dr. Preto and the staff at Shuswap Lake Hospital, Dr. Rao of the Cancer Centre for Southern Interior and the staff of Shuswap Lodge for their compassionate care.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm, January 06, 2012 at:
Bowers Funeral Services
440 – 10th St. SW
Salmon Arm BC
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Shuswap Hospital Foundation, Box 265,
Salmon Arm, BC V1E4N3 would be greatly appreciated.
Online condolences can be sent through Kay’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
www.shuswaphospicefoundation.org