Midori MATLEY

Passed away peacefully on December 19, 2013 at Fir Park Village in Port Alberni, B.C.  She leaves behind a loving, devoted husband and friend, along with family members in Japan and many, many friends.

Midori was the sixth daughter born to Tuneyo and Nitaro Sakai on November 1, 1930 in the Hiroshima Prefecture in the country of Japan.  She graduated from Obara High School and immediately enrolled at Kure Kyosakai Hospital for nurses training, graduating 3 years later as a nurse and midwife.

 Midori met her husband Peter Matley in Japan in 1953, and they were later married on 17 March 1957. Shortly after in 1958, they moved to England staying only a short while before immigrating to Canada in May of 1963 ending up in Alert Bay, B.C.  Midori worked as a practical nurse making many friends and gaining a reputation as a "highly competent nurse".  In 1970, Midori and Peter made their way to Tofino, B.C.  Midori was employed by the Tofino General Hospital.  The Director of Nursing at that time found Midori over qualified as a practical nurse and had her placed as a graduate nurse on paper.  Midori acquired more training and recognition as a Registered Graduated Nurse by the RNABC, and she worked at this capacity for 30 years until she retired in 2001 from the Tofino General Hospital.

Midori loved to garden and this showed through with her special touch she had with rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and orchids.  Her other loves were animals, especially the dog, lion and horse.  Midori's ability to speak the truth and act with compassion made her an old soul with a beautiful and powerful song.  Midori was a Buddhist and believed everyone has the right to be happy and no one has the power to take away that happiness.  Midori loved angels, and Bodhi sattva Kanmon Sama, known as the Goddess of Mercy,  was her guiding light and it was Midori's wish to be like this God and reborn in this image.  In the first part she succeeded and in the second, time will tell...

Peter would like to say many thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff at both the Tofino General Hospital and Fir Park Village for all the help and support over the years with Midori's care.  An open house in Celebration of Midori's Life will be held January 25, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Clayoquot Branch No. 65,  located on 331 Main Street in Tofino, B.C.  Peter asks in lieu of flowers to please donate to the Tofino General Hospital Foundation.  Any stories or condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.yatesfuneral.ca. In ode to Midori, Peter would like to end with this poem:

 Darkling I listen; and for many a time

 I have been half in love with easeful Death,

 Call'd him soft names in many a mused rhyme

 Now more than ever seems it rich to die,

 To cease upon the midnight with no pain,

 While thou art pouring forth thy soul abroad

 in such an ecstasy!

 Still wouldst thou sing, and I have ears in vain -

 To thy high requiem become a sod.

 John Keats - May 1819