Fujiye Kariatsumari

FUJIYE KARIATSUMARI of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 23, 2012 at the age of 98 years. Fujiye was the wife of the late Tokiyoshi Kariatsumari who passed away in 1967. She will be missed dearly by her children and grandchildren: Koji (Elaine) Kari and sons: Mark and Ryan; Yoko (Danny, deceased) Nishimura and sons: Richard (Rosemary) and Douglas; Heidi (Yoichi, deceased, Stan Peters) Oishi and children: Sylvia (Terry Hanna), Brenda (Roland Ikuta), Lisa, Rod (Marilyn), Cam (Sylvie); Jan (Tak) Okamura and children: Kelly, Jim (Wendy); Rick (deceased) Kariatsumari; Irene Karia; Mary Huumonen and daughter: Lisa (Cameron Sutherland). Fujiye had 18 great-grandchildren: Michael, Rebecca, Bruce, Mackenzie, Riley, Nathan, Charlotte, Braden, Alexis, Annalise, Maxime-Olivier, Paul-Etienne, Andree-Sophie, Calandra, Raiden, Taro, Ella, and Sophie. Fujiye was born in Kagoshima, Japan in 1913. In 1933, she married and settled in Mission, B.C. In 1942 the family moved to Glenwood, Alberta and later Picture Butte where they farmed, growing sugar beets, potatoes and vegetables. When her husband passed away, Fujiye moved to Lethbridge and she maintained a garden that expanded to fill most of a large backyard and supplied many family members with fresh produce. She also grew a vast array of beautiful cutting flowers that she took faithfully to the cemetery all summer long to the graves of family and friends. Fujiye had experienced periods of great hardship in her life but she was a devout Buddhist and held a deep appreciation for all that she had. She taught her family to experience that same gratitude and express it through hard work and caring for others. She was a warm, loving person with a ready smile and a peaceful nature. At the end of her life, she was well loved and cared for by her children, selflessly, as she had cared for them. Friends are invited to meet the family on Friday, July 27, 2012 between 7:00 - 8:00 pm at CHRISTENSEN SALMON GENERATIONS FUNERAL HOME, 703 - 13th Street North, Lethbridge, Alberta. The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 3:00 pm at the BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA, 470 - 40th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Rev. Y. Izumi officiating. Flowers and koden are gratefully declined. In memory of Fujiye Kariatsumari, donations may be made to the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta (address above) or to a charity of your choice.

Service Information