Deepest condolences to all who cherish the memory of Mrs. Sunagawa, especially Chris, Grace, Casey and the whole family.   Hard to believe a whole year has passed.  Mrs. Sunagawa worked hard for Kosen Rufu and was a devoted individual.  

Dear Chris, Casey, Grace and Mike:
I have just learned about your mother having passed away last autumn.  I want to send my belated condolences to you, and also express how much I liked both Jin and Keiko.  They were there from the start of my practice and were real pillars in the SGI community, I felt. I always sensed a sincere and welcoming presence from both of them, and  a lot of heart in any endeavour that they were tasked to do.   I have many memories of them, helping with the (then new) SGI Culture centre, discussion meetings and more.  They were great individuals and a great pair as well, and I will never forget them.  Wishing you the best, Virginia

Dear Chris, Casey, Grace, Mike and Cody - my deepest condolences to each one of you for your mother's and grandmother's passing.  

Keiko always  brought such quiet  elegance,  constancy and grace to every environment in which she was a part, and I feel she continues to lend her strength and inspire us with her qualities.   It was always such a joy for me when I would go to the Toronto centre on Wednesday evenings to see her either upstairs or at the bookstore, with her  bright eyes and smile, welcoming me and others.

It is an honour and a blessing to have shared time with her.  A deep bond  - I'm sure we will meet again. Both Keiko and Jin are pillars of caring and strength whose spirits continue to shine on through you and others who have had the fortune to have known them.   With my sincere regards, Taivi   

Dear Chris, Grace, Casey, Mike and all the family members of Keiko-san,

I would like to convey my deepest condolences to you all. I remember how kind and supportive Keiko-san was to anyone she knew.  She warmly encouraged everyone, including myself, even while on duty at the bookstore. Her words were so comforting and made me feel that she was with me through all the struggles. We didn’t really have a chance to talk much, but her presence made a big difference. Her tender smile was the example of the sun illuminating all her surroundings. I'm determined to follow her example.

She will live on in my heart forever. 

Our heartfelt condolences to Chris, Grace and family on passing our dear friend Keiko san.
We have known both Jin san and Keiko san since 1981, Mr. & Mrs. Sunagawa and we were new immigrants, lived on the same floor in an apartment building at Don Mills & Eglinton. Our children and Sunagawa's children grew up together. 
Jin san and Keiko san took care of people around them very well with deep compassion based on the faith.  When Jin san was giving guidance for members, Keiko san was there to support behind the scene. She was the person who could make others feel light when negative things happened.  Her optimistic view made us realize the positive perspective of things. Together with Jin san and Keiko san, we laughed a lot, had a lot of pleasant memories. It was our great good fortune getting to know Jin san and Keiko san. We learned a lot from them, and appreciated so much. We will miss her a lot.
Tom & Kayoko Hirano


Hello, I am deeply saddened to hear of Keiko's passing away. 
I have very fond memories  of Keiko at the book store ,  always working so  diligently and patiently to help everyone find the right books and other stuff. She was always so kind all the time. We will really miss her a lot. 
I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May Keiko rest in peace. 

Shubha Karki
(East Chapter)



It was Aug 25 2018 ,We had good time at balcony in my house.
This group is from Tuesday Japanese Study meeting and first time we got together in the evening with alcohol  ! ( Keiko san did not drink though ).
We talked and laughed a lot till midnight .

On the different day , I went Japanese rock band live concert with another SGI member and Keiko san.
That was first time I got know Keiko san liked to go music concert ! She was not only kind and smart , also cool women !

Since I came to Canada, she was always there for me to give me answer whenever I asked her . She always gave me good advice to move forward , and positive way with President Ikeda's guidance.  Also she was very funny . Every Tuesday She lead study meeting  with so much joke . So we enjoyed studying with her very much !

It is very sad she left so early , too early.
But I am sure she had no regret in her life . 
Often she was saying '' I was protected ''. She always make so much daimoku  and always been protected from worst situation.
I am feeling that she is saying to her husband( Jin san )  ,''I was protected so and so.....'' in there too.

Thank you Keiko san , and looking forward to seeing you soon !!


Keiko was devoted. 

Devoted to her husband. Devoted to her daughter and son. Devoted to her daughter-in-law and son-in-law. Devoted to her adored grandson. Devoted to her practice of Nichiren Buddhism. Devoted to Canadian kosen-rufu. Devoted to SGI. Devoted to supporting SGI members. Devoted to the SGI bookstore, as another way to serve members. 

She had such quiet, beautiful strength that affected everything she did, which always began by chanting daimoku. 

It's hard to think of Willowdale district and Uptown chapter without her. And in fact, we won't think in this way. Because she is with us always, in our hearts. We carry her forward with us on our eternal journey of kosen-rufu. 

With palms pressed together in deepest respect for a life so well lived. We love you, Keiko-San!

Dear Chris and Grace, Casey, Mike and Cody,

I am so sorry for your loss.  I still can't believe that your mother has gone.  I was pleased that I was able to attend the memorial service this afternoon and be able to learn a little bit more about Keiko's life.  I will always remember her smile and how helpful she always was whenever I went to the bookstore.  There will always be something missing when I get a chance to come to Toronto and visit the bookstore in the future. 

I also remember your father fondly,  especially when we went for training in Japan and he took care of us so well.

You are in my thoughts and I will continue to chant for your entire family.

Dear Chris and Casey, Grace and Mike and Cody,

My condolences to the passing away of Keiko. Whenever we talked about Keiko, her smiling face will always appear in my memory. Keiko is an amazing woman, one who always put others ahead of herself. 

I remembered years ago, I went to lunch at J-Town with my work colleagues and met Keiko there. She was smiling and offered her friendly assistances  to us. We were so thankful to her.

At the culture center, she is also very accommodating as many times I have to buy items from the bookstore even after it closes. I am very grateful to her understanding.

Keiko is really a mother to all of us - caring, affectionate, enable everyone to be happy. Keiko will forever leaves us a great memory and a tremendous role model for us to live our lives.

Keiko, we truly miss you.

I will always remember Keiko's dignity and inner resolve. To me she exemplified what President Ikeda meant when he spoke of the strength of the Soka women. I will miss her. My deepest condolences to the Sunagawa family. 

To Chris, Grace, the entire family and those who loved Mrs. Sunagawa,

First, let me express my profound condolences on the loss of your treasured mother.  Of course, listening to your precious words at the memorial, it is clear that she remains ever alive, guiding every step of your journey.  

I am quite moved to learn of your mother's unfathomably hard work on behalf of all members, ensuring SGI Canada had a wonderful bookstore, where she fostered not only great connections with those who volunteered but that it was her sole responsibility to take care of the Bookstore's national operations.  This I did not know and am deeply grateful to her for taking on this monumental endeavour.  Mrs. Sunagawa's quiet fortitude will remain a model of what it means to work for kosen rufu. 

Also, she and your father used to visit me at my mother's when we lived together, after my beloved father passed away.  I was solely responsible for my mother's care as she had developed Alzheimer's Disease.  I will never forget both your mother and  father for their great sacrifice in coming to our home to visit us on many occasions just to encourage us and chant with me so I could manage.

I also have cherished memories of Grace from Kotekitai, aka SGI Fife and Drum Corps., and knowing how much it meant to Mrs. Sunagawa really warms my heart.

I will always cherish the memory of Mrs. Sunagawa as a Buddha, whose deep connection to her Mentor allowed her to work tirelessly behind the scenes, creating many wonderful memories and overcoming so much.   I know she is unimpeded now in the realm of lapis lazuli on Eagle Peak.  



Dear Grace and Chris, Casey and Mike, I have known Jin and Keiko since 1993 when I first came to Canada as a single person. First Jin, and then Keiko, touched my life deeply. Jin was a huge support to me in my struggles during those early days in a new country, I can never forget his constant support by way of home visits and encouragement to chant vigorously. His passing touched me deeply and I still have his memorial card which I read from time to time. The words in his card apply so well to Keiko too - words to the effect that it is not the length of one's life but how one has lived it that really matters.

I knew Keiko more closely through the bookstore where I volunteered. She was so patient with my slowness and mistakes! Very loving and accommodating, so soft-spoken and gentle yet strict and sharp as a knife when it came to  balancing the books! I remember her smile and the sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of Cody. 

Keiko and Jinn will always remain in my heart as treasured mentors who showed me the way to live a meaningful and happy life.

Dear Chris and Casey, my deepest condolences for your loss. My interactions with Keiko were at the SGI bookstore and I will miss her patience and attention there. You all have been very strong and we have gained the strength to deal with this loss from you. 
Please take care. 
Avantika 

My sincere condolences to Keiko's family . I have had the pleasure to meet Keiko, when i was  volunteering at the book store, a wonderful woman, she'll be in my daimokus  and in my heart.

Dear Grace and Chris,

We only had the occasion of meeting your mom a few times in the past years.  However, when we look back, she was always so kind and caring.  She always had a smile on her face, as if though she shared a secret with the universe.  Your euology today showed me that perhaps that secret was how she lived her life, being content in the moment.  

She will be missed by all.  Please take care of yourselves.

The Sey Family

Dear  Chris and Casey; Grace and Mike and Cody:

I would like to express my sincere condolences to all of you. Keiko was such a Strong, wonderful and gentle spirit and she will forever remain in our hearts. 

My heart is with you all and I feel personally so sad to think of  the next time I will go to the bookstore to help out that  Keiko will no longer be there to take care of everyone and keep things so beautifully  organized.

So many of us will be forever grateful to have known her.

I offer you my thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes during this time in your lives. 

Chris and Grace,
You both have my deepest condolences. I remember growing up with your family and your parents being very familiar faces in my life.  I remember your mother telling me how she was from the same Nerima ward of Tokyo as my family and always seeing her late at the culture centre book store. 
I hope you will reach out if you ever need anything.
Kogusuri Family

Dear Chris and Grace,
Your parents were my first district leaders, and they took such wonderful care of me and my family. Perhaps if I had been assigned to another district, I may not have continued my practice throughout the years. Whenever I was late, instead of admonishing me, Jin would say, "Thank you for coming!", and Keiko would always make me feel welcome. While  you played with the older children in the bedroom, Keiko would hold my youngest so that I could  take full  advantage at discussion and study meetings.  
My eldest son was very much the loner, and didn't make friends easily. Keiko told me to chant for him to make one good  friend, which I did. And very soon after, he met a lifelong friend at school. I will forever cherish your mother's kindness, patience and friendship. Although we changed districts over the years, it was always such sheer joy to see her at the culture center. Her absence will be felt by everyone.
Myrna Moore also asked me to convey her condolences, and we will both continue to chant for Keiko's eternal happiness. 
With love and respect,
Maida Jackson and family
 


I am so very saddened to read this.  Keiko and I had a special relationship.  Yes, bookstore but more importantly, I was a YWG when her late husband Jin was in YMG.  Being pioneers with a significant mission puts a different flavour on friendships and missions.  Jin was an intellectual who valued his conversations with me.  I opened my then studio to all people to come and have philosophical discussions and Jin was there.  I remember when she first came here as a young bride.  She respected my friendship with Jin and laughed when I told her Jin took me to play Pachinko in Japan.  She was especially helpful to me in the bookstore because she understood how much I value books and reading and learning.  We were at the same table when the youngest Iwasaki girl got married.  I have to stop writing now because this is very painful.  I want the Sunagawa family to know Keiko was a true leader, dependable and responsible human being and someone who enriched the lives of those she touched.  Honey Novick

Keiko san was such a welcoming, warm person...we are so lucky to have known her. Her delicious foods that she made at gatherings and her adoring smile while watching the kids play will also be missed❤️  Our deepest condolences.

Sincerely,
Takako and Jerriet

Dear Chris, Grace ,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Remembering the Don Mills district I belonged about 30 years ago...
We were really like a big family.  And experienced such a friendship with your family.
Even though we don’t meet as often, but being there at Don Mills district is still so special memory and honor we hold so dear ...
Your mom, Keiko was behind in all of this.

    Last words she text me was nothing but appreciation to you both.

   Although she had to go sooner than we hoped,
she crowned herself by bringing such a beautiful children who are now taking a lead in Canadian Kosen Rifu.

   How proud she must be!!
   How proud Jin must be!!

With wonderful memories she gave to us, let’s keep fighting for Canadian Kosen Rifu!!

Always praying for her and Jin,
Hisako

   

Chris&Casey , Grace &Mike and Colin, My deepest condolence on the passing of your beloved Mother.  Your mom was a very kind and loving lady she was thoughtful.  I will remember her smile and how she took the time to talk with me. She has encourage me many times . Her family was mean the world to her. She was my friend.
Thank you all for sharing your mom.
Donna.

I have many fond memories of Keiko;s smiling face around the Community Center helping to support and take care of our castle of kosen and the members. We shared many golden memories together as she laid a solid foundation for kosen-rufu in Canada. She will be remembered in our prayers each day. 
We are eternal comrades. She was a buddha in life and will continue to be a buddha in death. I am sorry that you lost her in the physical realm but we remain united in both life and death. She will return to carry on after her rest. I will be praying for her and for the family.
Sincerely,
Viola Dedier-Brister

OBITUARY

Mrs. Keiko Sunagawa

30 August, 1946 – 20 September, 2020

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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