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Junko Ikebuchi Obituary
Junko Nora Ikebuchi passed away quietly in her home in Kamloops, BC, surrounded by family and loved ones in the morning on Sunday August 21, 2005. She is survived by her husband Harold, son Johnathan, her brothers Robert and Kenny Ito; and numerous cousins from her mother?s side across Canada: the Suzuki family.
She was born on September 2nd, 1935 in Vancouver to Mr Junji Ito of Nagano Prefecture, Japan and Ms Teru Suzuki of Steveston, BC. Her early years were spent in Terra Nova Eburne and Vancouver. During the Second World War, Junko?s family were interned in Tashme near Hope, BC. Immediately after the war, they moved to Raymond, Alberta to work on a farm.
Junko spent her teenage years in Montreal and graduated from Thomas D?Arcy McGee High School in 1952. She then went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Montreal, Marianopolis College and then a Master of Social Work at the University of Ottawa, St Patrick?s College School of Social Welfare (now part of Carleton University), graduating in 1959.
In the early 1960s, Junko practiced social work as a caseworker in child protection in Toronto, before attending teacher?s college at Toronto Teacher?s College in 1962 to 1963.
Her first overseas adventure began in Japan as an English language teacher in the mid 1960s. In 1968, she met Harold Hiroshi Ikebuchi on a downtown street in Toronto and was married within a few months and had Johnathan in the spring of 1969. Over the next twenty years she acted as homemaker, parent and had a variety of jobs in teaching and even in the photographic equipment industry.
After moving to Kamloops in 1989, she worked as a teacher on call in the Kamloops School District from 1990 to 1994. As a Learning Assistance Teacher she worked with many children at Pinantan Elementary and Dufferin Elementary. Junko retired from teaching after the 1999-2000 school year.
In recent years, she pursued her love of Native Canadian culture and anthropology at the SFU campus on the grounds of the old Kamloops Residential school. Taking part in many anthropology courses, Junko participated in various archaeological digs. She also was learning Secwepemc, the traditional language of the Shuswap people.
Traveling was always an addiction for Junko. After university she travelled the southern United States by herself; even though she was woman of colour. In recent years, one of her most memorable trips was to Montreal for her 50th high school reunion in 2001. In 2000, she returned to Japan to visit some old students. One of her favourite places in Canada was the Queen Charlotte Islands; where she was exposed to Haida culture. Junko had even travelled alone to Africa; going on safari in Tanzania, and exploring Kenyan culture and history.
Junko was known for her curious infectious smile and bright inquisitive eyes. She believed in the good and the unlimited potential in all people and things. Her passion for learning, her zest for life and her commitment to being an exceptional educator will be missed. She saw the connectedness in everything.
Goodbye Junko, may your spirit always find an adventure.
Your family and friends love you very much.
A small memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 27th in the Schoening Funeral Chapel. All are welcome.
A bursary fund for women pursuing post-secondary studies in anthropology and the Scewepemc language in Junko Ikebuchi?s name will be established for January 2006. Donations to the family are welcome.
Thank you to Dr. Yeung, the RIH Cancer Clinic, the health care providers, and all the friends who Junko received care from. She and her family appreciated your kindness immensely.
Service arrangements are entrusted to
Schoening Funeral Service, Telephone 374-1454
She was born on September 2nd, 1935 in Vancouver to Mr Junji Ito of Nagano Prefecture, Japan and Ms Teru Suzuki of Steveston, BC. Her early years were spent in Terra Nova Eburne and Vancouver. During the Second World War, Junko?s family were interned in Tashme near Hope, BC. Immediately after the war, they moved to Raymond, Alberta to work on a farm.
Junko spent her teenage years in Montreal and graduated from Thomas D?Arcy McGee High School in 1952. She then went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Montreal, Marianopolis College and then a Master of Social Work at the University of Ottawa, St Patrick?s College School of Social Welfare (now part of Carleton University), graduating in 1959.
In the early 1960s, Junko practiced social work as a caseworker in child protection in Toronto, before attending teacher?s college at Toronto Teacher?s College in 1962 to 1963.
Her first overseas adventure began in Japan as an English language teacher in the mid 1960s. In 1968, she met Harold Hiroshi Ikebuchi on a downtown street in Toronto and was married within a few months and had Johnathan in the spring of 1969. Over the next twenty years she acted as homemaker, parent and had a variety of jobs in teaching and even in the photographic equipment industry.
After moving to Kamloops in 1989, she worked as a teacher on call in the Kamloops School District from 1990 to 1994. As a Learning Assistance Teacher she worked with many children at Pinantan Elementary and Dufferin Elementary. Junko retired from teaching after the 1999-2000 school year.
In recent years, she pursued her love of Native Canadian culture and anthropology at the SFU campus on the grounds of the old Kamloops Residential school. Taking part in many anthropology courses, Junko participated in various archaeological digs. She also was learning Secwepemc, the traditional language of the Shuswap people.
Traveling was always an addiction for Junko. After university she travelled the southern United States by herself; even though she was woman of colour. In recent years, one of her most memorable trips was to Montreal for her 50th high school reunion in 2001. In 2000, she returned to Japan to visit some old students. One of her favourite places in Canada was the Queen Charlotte Islands; where she was exposed to Haida culture. Junko had even travelled alone to Africa; going on safari in Tanzania, and exploring Kenyan culture and history.
Junko was known for her curious infectious smile and bright inquisitive eyes. She believed in the good and the unlimited potential in all people and things. Her passion for learning, her zest for life and her commitment to being an exceptional educator will be missed. She saw the connectedness in everything.
Goodbye Junko, may your spirit always find an adventure.
Your family and friends love you very much.
A small memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 27th in the Schoening Funeral Chapel. All are welcome.
A bursary fund for women pursuing post-secondary studies in anthropology and the Scewepemc language in Junko Ikebuchi?s name will be established for January 2006. Donations to the family are welcome.
Thank you to Dr. Yeung, the RIH Cancer Clinic, the health care providers, and all the friends who Junko received care from. She and her family appreciated your kindness immensely.
Service arrangements are entrusted to
Schoening Funeral Service, Telephone 374-1454
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Kamloops This Week on Sep. 11, 2013.
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