Toshino Shigemi

Mrs. Toshino Shigemi (née Kimura), beloved wife of the late George Shigemi passed away peacefully on Sunday April 26th. She was 93 years old.

She was born on January 18, 1933 in Kumamoto-ken, Japan and moved to Vauxhall, Alberta in 1959 when she married George. A year later, her twin sister Hajime arrived and married George’s brother Takaaki. Their children grew up very close, more like siblings than cousins and were lucky to grow up with two sets of parents.

After farming for many years, Toshino and George moved with their family to Lethbridge in 1978 where they both worked for York Farms. After retirement tagging along with George on his fishing adventures was something she enjoyed doing. She also enjoyed her garden and hobbies which included excelling in the art of origami and different types of paper art. She enjoyed teaching this art to anyone who was willing to learn. When she had visitors she would always make sure they left with a folded gift. Being a social butterfly, the language barrier never stopped her from making friends wherever she went. She had a good sense of humour which always made people feel at ease.

She is survived by her children Cliff, Connie (George) Unser and Marcy (Jim) Kaga, grandchildren Danton (Zoe), McKenna (Patrick), Kristy (Dave), Matthew (Maggie), new great grandson DJ, nieces and nephews Ron (Kathy), Ken (Lidia), Louise Bertie, Glenn (Cheryl), Carey (Jo-Ann), Gene (Joyce) and many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Toshino was predeceased by her husband George, her daughter Sharlene, her twin sister Hajime, brother-in-law Takaaki, niece Carol Kaga, sister-in-law Hisaye and her husband Shinyuki Kunimoto.

Toshino and Hajime shared an inseparable bond and not only raised their kids together, but also spent their later years as next door neighbours in the assisted living homes of AgeCare Columbia and then Cedar Creek Adaptacare where the two facilities spoiled them both.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Toshino’s name may be made directly to the charity of their personal choice.  There will be a private family funeral service entrusted to Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home.

The Shigemi family would like to thank the staff at Cedar Creek Adaptacare, Family Medical Centre and AgeCare Columbia for their great care and compassion.

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