EMIKO OKIMURA (HASHIMOTO)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

EMIKO OKIMURA (HASHIMOTO) On Sunday, February 25, 2001, at the age of 89 years, our beloved mother and grandmother peacefully passed away at the Grace General Hospital. Mom was known for her loving kindness, graciousness, humility and quiet wisdom and will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Nancy (Ken) Nishibata; granddaughter Tannis (Ron) Nishibata-Chan; sister Nobby; brother Tad; sisters-in-law, Tosh, Faye and Chris and brother-in-law Saburo of Toronto, Ontario. She will also be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack Akira; son, Richard; parents, Ruiichi and Sato Hashimoto; brothers, Hiro, Bruce and Ben Hashimoto and sister, Toshie Takahashi. She was born on February 24, 1912 in Vancouver, B.C. and was the eldest of seven children. She married Jack Akira in 1935 and together, they owned a small shop in Vancouver. She moved to Manitoba with her family in 1942, first to Arnaud and then to Winnipeg in 1943 where she kept busy with sewing while raising her children at home. Following the death of her husband in 1960, she went to work as a fitter at the downtown Eatons store, until her retirement in 1975. After retiring, she lived life to the fullest, pursuing many artistic and creative opportunities as well as travelling to many destinations around the world. Mom was a warm, gentle and caring mother and grandmother, happiest when surrounded by the love and laughter of her family and friends. She especially enjoyed Sunday dinners with her family, playing bridge with her friends at the Courts of St. James, writing letters to her friends and tending to her flowers, particularly violets. She will always be remembered for the beautiful gowns and dresses that she sewed for people, her wonderful Japanese cooking, her passion for crafts, her openness to trying new things and her unfailing devotion to her family. A memorial service in celebration of Moms life will be held on Thursday, March 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Manitoba Buddhist Church, 825 Winnipeg Avenue, with Rev. Fredrich Ulrich officiating. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all the staff at the Grace General Hospital, for their kindness and compassionate care. Special thanks to all the staff at the Kiwanis Courts, her home care workers, especially Yvonne, and to all of her friends for their help, friendship and support. In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Moms memory to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation 301-352 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2H8 or to the Grace General Hospital, 300 Booth Dr, Winnipeg R3J 3M7 Bardal Funeral Home 843 Sherbrook Street, in care of arrangements, 774-7474

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2001