This gentle soul named Toshiko Kunimoto, was born in Mission, BC. She lived there until she was 13 years old when she was sent to Kyushu, Japan to accompany her sister, Fumiko. There, she lived with an aunt, attending school and working many hours at her aunt's store, but was soon severed from her family in Canada due to the events of the Second World War.
Toshi completed high school in Japan and moved to Manchuria to work for a Japanese mining company. The company dorm where she was living was bombed and she was only able to escape with a coat made by Fumiko and a few family photos.
In 1948, she returned to Canada, to find that her family were now living in Picture Butte, Alberta. Her mother, Tsuchiya, had suffered several strokes and required 24hour care.
On December 18, 1954, Toshi married Hideo (Bill) Kajiwara. For almost 19 years, Toshi and Bill were caregivers for Toshi's father, mother, sister Tamiko, and Tamiko's daughter Chris in Lethbridge, Alberta. Many treasured friendships were formed at this time with neighbors over coffee. These dedicated friends always checked in on Tsuchiya if Toshi was out on an errand. In 1965 Toshi and Bill celebrated the arrival of their cherished daughter, Sherri Shinobu, from Japan, in a private adoption.
In 1968, Toshi, Bill, and Sherri moved to Vancouver. Toshi and Bill were active in the Nikkei community, bowling, and volunteering for many years at the Vancouver Buddhist church. In 2013 Toshi and Bill were awarded the Canada Cares award for Western Canada for the love and 24hour care that they provided Toshi's family back in the 50's and 60's as outstanding caregivers.
Toshi had a way of making everyone that she was with feel very special. Her home was a gathering place where everyone was welcome to stop by. It was filled with warmth, laughter and fabulous food including signature home-made pickles, preserves, and both western and Japanese treats. She was a master at maintaining many lifelong friendships, some which lasted over 90 years!
Toshi is remembered for her incredible kindness and caring nature by her husband Bill, daughter Sherri, and large, extended inter-generational family.
Flowers and Koden are gratefully declined. Donations may be made “In Memory of Toshiko Kajiwara” to the Vancouver Buddhist Temple at http://vancouverbuddhisttemple.com/ or the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/63380/donation.
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