Peacefully on the morning of September 22, 2023, Lillian Kimiye Shimoda passed away at Seven Oaks General Hospital. She was 91 years old. Our family had a chance to have one last family dinner with her the evening before her passing, it was perfect.
She leaves behind her daughter Joy Letkemann, husband Ted, their daughters Jennifer and Kyla. Her daughter Lisa Shimoda-Loechner, husband Marc, their daughter Connor (Parker) and son Braeden (Thalia); nephew Kevin Kubota; niece Corinne Kubota.
She was predeceased by her husband Hiroshi (Bob); father Takejiro; mother Sawa; brothers Kiyoshi and Takeo; sister Shizuye Takeda.
Mom was born in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia on December 18, 1931, to Sawa and Takejiro Kubota. She lived there until September of 1942, when the family was evacuated to Manitoba. They first resided in Stonewall and then in Winnipeg.
On March 15, 1958, Mom and Dad were married at the Manitoba Buddhist Church. “Bobby” was the light of her life. They celebrated 52 years together and she has missed him every day since his passing in 2010. They are now reunited and are probably out on the golf course.
Mom and Dad’s travels took them to Hawaii, Florida and San Francisco. Mom took a trip on her own to Japan to visit her sister Shizuye. For the most part, Mom and Dad spent winters in Sarasota, Florida on Regatta Drive where they made many friendships. Sarasota was Mom’s “happy place”.
Dad bought her a set of golf clubs one year and that started her love for the game. She loved it so much, she was golfing at least two days a week. Mom and Dad golfed with friends in different locations throughout the province and down in Florida. She joined a couple golf leagues in the city, where she made some true lasting friendships.
Mom was a season ticket member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Prairie Theatre Exchange for many years. She loved music and always had a collection of cassette tapes in her car. She would take Jennifer, Kyla and Connor to a performance of the Nutcracker every Christmas season. Not sure if she had a motive, but it did not produce a ballerina in our family. Braeden dodged the Nutcracker performance. Instead, he was treated to a couple of rounds of golf with Bachan every year.
Mom loved her flowers! She would always have fresh cut flowers on her dining room table and in the living room. She kept the Safeway floral department in business. When they moved out to Lorette, she had flower beds all around the property. She would spend hours maintaining them and using them to create bouquets for the house.
Mom was an amazing cook. Many Japanese New Year celebrations were hosted on Valour Road. She would get up early to cook all day which resulted in a feast of delicacies. Many family and friends attended these dinners. For some, it was their first experience with Japanese cuisine. In the latter years, the dinners were just for family. She loved when the family was all together. Her grandchildren were all together in one room and then the “Kubota” voices would emerge. Loud voices, talking over other loud voices! It was overwhelming for most, but Mom loved it.
The family would like to thank the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital on the 5th floor, Unit 1 and Unit 3 for the care given to Mom. The nurses on these units go above and beyond to care for their patients.
A very special thank you to all the Lions Supportive Housing staff, who ensured Mom always had the best care every day. To Margaret Coquete for guiding us through the difficult and exhausting system. Words cannot express our appreciation for you and your staff. Our family is so grateful.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to either; Lions Housing Centres Inc., 320 Sherbrook Street or the Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba, 180 McPhillips Street, in her memory.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the Shimoda family.
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