Kimiye Sugiyama

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kimiye Sugiyama (ńee Aura), on November 8, 2025 at the age of 99 years, in Burnaby, B.C.

Kimiye is survived by her eldest and devoted daughter, Nancy, who was her primary caregiver for thirteen years. She also leaves behind her eldest son, Gary. Missed dearly by her surviving sisters, Sets Sakaki, Mas (Tosh) Yakura, and Mary Aura. Affectionately remembered by extended family, relatives in Japan, friends and neighbours. Predeceased by parents, Zentaro and Kiyono Aura, husband Yoshio, son Willie, daughter Irene, and her three brothers, Bill, Johnny, and Sam Aura.

Kimiye was born in Steveston, B.C. on January 17, 1926; the second child of seven children. The Aura family endured the hardships of the Japanese Canadian evacuation during WWII where they were forced to relocate to an internment camp in East Lillooet, B.C. in harsh living conditions. Her family then moved to Halfway, Lytton, and then settled in Kamloops, B.C.

Kimiye married Yoshio Sugiyama in Kamloops in 1946, and welcomed their first child, Nancy in 1949, followed by two years later with son, Gary. Thereafter, they moved to Burnaby and had two more children; Willie in 1958 and Irene in 1962. The Sugiyama’s ran a corner convenience store; Kimi’s Food Mart, located on Hastings Street and Ellesmere Avenue in North Burnaby, near Capitol Hill Elementary School. Yoshio’s sudden passing from cancer in 1963, left Kimiye as a young widow and mother to raise her four young children; aged thirteen, eleven, four and two months. Her in-laws helped with the upbringing of the young children, and her brother-in-law, Harold Sugiyama, manned the store with Kimiye for many years. Kimiye worked tirelessly as a mother and business owner; putting in long hours at her convenience store; seven days a week, and even on holidays. She was a strong, diligent, independent woman, with little to no time for herself, as family was her greatest focus.

In 1985, Kimiye sold her store after many decades of hard work and purchased a home in North Burnaby to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Her daughters, Irene and Nancy, cared for their mother so she could enjoy the comforts in her own home with delicious home cooking, and happy gatherings with family, relatives and close friends. Kimi’s highlight travel was a trip to Japan with Irene in the 1980’s to sightsee Tokyo and Kyoto, and visit relatives in Osaka and Wakayama. She also enjoyed trips to Kamloops, Vernon and Revelstoke to visit her siblings and relatives and looked forward to special gatherings.

Kimiye was a resilient individual who overcame many challenges in life, including heart bypass surgery in 1990 which was successful. She had a quiet inner strength, gentle presence, but in earlier years, she could have a lively conversation with a big grin. Kimiye will be missed greatly and will be forever loved and remembered in the hearts of many.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 12:30pm, at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings, Vancouver, B.C. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery at 2:30pm, (Canada Way & Royal Oak, Burnaby, B.C).