AKIKO MCDOUGALL

MCDOUGALL, Akiko
After a courageous twenty month battle with cancer, Akiko passed away peacefully in the early morning of Thursday, September 4, 2014 with her husband by her side. Akiko was born in Calgary, AB to her loving parents Itsuo and Harumi Kitamura. Akiko and her family moved to Regina in 1982, where she attended W.F. Ready elementary school and Campbell Collegiate. Friends were one of the most important things in Akiko's life and she developed many long lasting bonds during her childhood and teen years.
After high school, Akiko entered the U of R and completed her degree in Visual Arts. Akiko had a lifelong passion for the arts. She was an accomplished violinist and she created art until she became too ill to continue. While at U of R, Akiko worked part-time at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre as a psychometrist and she continued this job after finishing university. As always, Akiko made a positive impact on all her co-workers and was dearly loved by all those around her.
Akiko married Aaron McDougall in 2003. Their first child Ella was born a year later, followed by two sons Isaac and Caleb. Shortly after the birth of Isaac, Akiko decided to be a stay-at-home mom. This allowed her the opportunity to continue her art work, but most importantly, to be with her children. Akiko's children meant the world to her; there was nothing she would not do for them. She truly was a super mom, whether it was getting the kids ready for their first day of school, making them Halloween costumes, or teaching them a love for music and art. She taught them life lessons through her own actions. She showed the kids how to treat people with respect and how to be a good, compassionate, and understanding friend. At this stage of her life, Akiko established a strong bond with many new friends who were going through the same life experiences of growing as individuals while raising their families.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Akiko and her family had such amazing support from her husband's employer Harvard Developments, sister and aunt Cindy Fougere, mother and grandmother Harumi Kitamura, and brother and uncle Kenta Kitamura.
Akiko lost her father Itsuo to cancer in 1997 and sister Yukiko in infancy. She is survived by her husband Aaron McDougall; her three children Ella (10), Isaac (7) and Caleb (4); mother Harumi; brother Kenta (and his daughter Keira); and many uncles, aunts and cousins in Japan. Akiko is also survived by Irene McDougall (late husband Cliff), Connie McDougall (children David, Angela, Laura, Stefan), Arlene (Grant) Banbury (children Brendan, Ashley), Brent (Nance) McDougall, Cindy (Mike) Fougere (children Thomas, Kristen, Luc) and Shelley (Dave) McDougall.
Akiko wished to recognize the incredible efforts of Dr. Salim and nurse Donna from the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, as well as all the doctors and nurses in the oncology unit at the Pasqua hospital for their loving care throughout such a difficult time.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at Regina Funeral Home, Hwy #1 East, Regina, SK on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Akiko may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1910 McIntyre Street, Regina S4P 2R3. Family and friends are invited to sign the online obituary and tributes page at www.regina-memorial.ca. Arrangements entrusted to