Fumiko (Nishiyama) Sugimoto

FUMIKO ROCY SUGIMOTO, beloved wife of the late Naomichi (Nim) Sugimoto, passed away peacefully February 12, 2017, at the age of 92 in Lethbridge.

Fumi was born in Sapperton, a neighourhood in New Westminster, B.C., January 17, 1925 to Kohei and Hide Nishiyama.

Known lovingly to her childhood friends as “Rocky,” Fumi had fond memories of picking berries and hops, or going clamming and hauling buckets of fresh seafood home on the train, which stopped right outside the family home.

In 1946, she and her family were relocated to Raymond, Alberta, where she worked the sugar beet fields and as a housekeeper. It was occupational training for her life as a tireless farm wife and mother of eight. She married Nim Sugimoto Dec. 7, 1949. They spent the next 57 years together.

The middle child of five, Fumi was always a loyal, responsible caregiver whether to her siblings, her parents, or her own children and grandchildren. A talented seamstress, baker, cook and gardener, Fumi’s large family never wanted for clothing, amazing meals or fresh vegetables and flowers. She could revive even the saddest plant, and once grew a pomegranate from a seed just to see how it would turn out.

She was a humble, quiet woman who took pride in every task, enjoyed a hearty meal and found the positive in every situation.

Fumi is survived by her children Harry (Yvonne) Sugimoto; Kei (Ken) Sampson; Naomi (Joe) Plausteiner; Mark Sugimoto; and Akemi Dawn Sugimoto (Randy Jensen), all of Lethbridge; June Sugimoto of Brooks; daughters-in-law Ann Sugimoto of Raymond and Yvonne Sugimoto of Victoria, B.C.; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was grateful for the love of her extended family: sister Betty Tanigami of Brooks; brother Mac (Reyko) Nishiyama of Lethbridge; lifelong friend and sister-in-law Kaz Sugimoto; and siblings-in-law Brem (Wendy) Sugimoto of Waterloo, Ont.; Tomiko Sugimoto of Lethbridge; Sak Saruwatari of Taber; Takako Sugimoto of Calgary; Teiji Nakamura of Lethbridge; and dozens of nieces and nephews who shared love and laughter with her throughout her life.

Fumi was predeceased by her parents; husband, Nim; sons Chris and Doug; brother Jack Nishiyama; sister, best friend and shopping companion May Saruwatari; and numerous in-laws.

A service to honour Fumi’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 at the BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA, 470 - 40 Street South, Lethbridge, with Reverend Y.Izumi officiating.

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