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BORN
1935
DIED
2023
Satsuko Miyahara Obituary
It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved aunt, sister and friend Satsuko "Mary" Miyahara.
Mary was born in Vancouver, B.C. on February 8, 1935 and left us at age 88 in Kamloops on October 3, 2023.
She is survived by her sister Aiko (Brian) Johnson and brothers David and Tom (Elzbieta) Kuromi. She is also remembered by her "grandkids" Kai, Taiga, Hana (Kimiye Johnson) and Savannah, Jade, River (Mike Kuromi), Erika (Shelley Kuromi), Madison, Brandon (Tracey Miyahara), Jaryn, Justin (Trevor Miyahara), Sophie, Charlotte (Megan Savitskoff), Kaitlyn, Coen (Cassandra Butler). Mary was predeceased by her loving husband Tom, her mother Etsuko, father Ryuji and sister Kimiye.
Mary led a life of resilience, service and elegance. As a young child in 1942, at the start of World War II, her family was interned at Tashme (Sunshine Valley) where she survived her newborn sister, Kimiye. Following the war, her family moved to Slocan, where her youngest sibling Tom was born. After a brief stint in Vernon, the family settled in Kamloops where Mary resumed schooling and joined the family in picking hops and strawberries.
After graduating from Kamloops Senior Secondary School in 1953, Mary worked at Dearborn Ford and Wilson Motors before starting a 37 year career with the Ministry of Forests in 1957. Mary met the love of her life, Tom Miyahara, through her brother Dave as they both played with the Hall of Fame Kamloops Mohawks baseball team. Mary and Tom wed in 1964 and were inseparable during their 51 years together.
Mary's greatest passions were sports, community, travel and family. Through the years, Mary enjoyed curling, golfing, singing and bowling. Her most notable sporting accomplishment was representing BC in the Western Canada Five-Pin Championships in Calgary in 1960. The league mentioned, "her best bowling is done under pressure", a testament of her resilience.
Mary was an active member of the Kamloops Japanese Cultural Center and the Buddhist Church. She was a long-term volunteer and became famous for her sushi making and contributions to the chow mein fundraisers. She also loved doing Japanese crafts, especially creating dolls with handmade kimonos.
A Celebration of Mary's life will be held at the Kamloops Curling Club on March 30 at 1pm.
In lieu of koden and flowers, please consider a donation to Kamloops Japanese Cultural Center.
Condolences and memories can be posted on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mary.miyahara
Mary was born in Vancouver, B.C. on February 8, 1935 and left us at age 88 in Kamloops on October 3, 2023.
She is survived by her sister Aiko (Brian) Johnson and brothers David and Tom (Elzbieta) Kuromi. She is also remembered by her "grandkids" Kai, Taiga, Hana (Kimiye Johnson) and Savannah, Jade, River (Mike Kuromi), Erika (Shelley Kuromi), Madison, Brandon (Tracey Miyahara), Jaryn, Justin (Trevor Miyahara), Sophie, Charlotte (Megan Savitskoff), Kaitlyn, Coen (Cassandra Butler). Mary was predeceased by her loving husband Tom, her mother Etsuko, father Ryuji and sister Kimiye.
Mary led a life of resilience, service and elegance. As a young child in 1942, at the start of World War II, her family was interned at Tashme (Sunshine Valley) where she survived her newborn sister, Kimiye. Following the war, her family moved to Slocan, where her youngest sibling Tom was born. After a brief stint in Vernon, the family settled in Kamloops where Mary resumed schooling and joined the family in picking hops and strawberries.
After graduating from Kamloops Senior Secondary School in 1953, Mary worked at Dearborn Ford and Wilson Motors before starting a 37 year career with the Ministry of Forests in 1957. Mary met the love of her life, Tom Miyahara, through her brother Dave as they both played with the Hall of Fame Kamloops Mohawks baseball team. Mary and Tom wed in 1964 and were inseparable during their 51 years together.
Mary's greatest passions were sports, community, travel and family. Through the years, Mary enjoyed curling, golfing, singing and bowling. Her most notable sporting accomplishment was representing BC in the Western Canada Five-Pin Championships in Calgary in 1960. The league mentioned, "her best bowling is done under pressure", a testament of her resilience.
Mary was an active member of the Kamloops Japanese Cultural Center and the Buddhist Church. She was a long-term volunteer and became famous for her sushi making and contributions to the chow mein fundraisers. She also loved doing Japanese crafts, especially creating dolls with handmade kimonos.
A Celebration of Mary's life will be held at the Kamloops Curling Club on March 30 at 1pm.
In lieu of koden and flowers, please consider a donation to Kamloops Japanese Cultural Center.
Condolences and memories can be posted on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mary.miyahara
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Kamloops This Week on Oct. 17, 2023.
Memories and Condolences
for Satsuko Miyahara
1 Entry
Carole McDonnell Popp
October 25, 2023
My sincere condolences on Mary's passing. A beautiful lady with a huge heart. She is now with her best friend and the love of her life Tom, they were inseparable. May you rest in peace now "Mom".
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