Evelyn Tomiko Sakiyama (nee Shirakawa) was born on June 27, 1926, and passed away at 91 years of age, on June 30, 2017. She was predeceased by her husband, Fuji, and is survived by children Karen, Cary (Shahira), Glen (Harumi), and Dale (Julie), as well as grandchildren Derek, Adam, Aila, Tia, Nicolas, Cedar, Soleil, and Mackenzie, and brother, Kimio (Sachi) plus many nieces and nephews.
Evelyn was born in Steveston, BC and spent her childhood there until 1942, when the family was relocated during the War, to East Selkirk, Manitoba. After returning to the West Coast to resettle, Evelyn met Fuji Sakiyama. They married on January 26, 1957. They settled in Revelstoke, and soon started a family, with four children by 1964. It was at that time that the family of six moved to 9th Street, where Evelyn lived for 41 years, until 2005. The entire block was a tight-knit group of people who socialized and raised their families. Through the 1970’s and 80’s, Evelyn raised the family, worked making drapes in Fuji’s Revelstoke Builder’s Supply building, and sold women’s clothes at Hayashi’s Gayle Jean’s Clothing store. As well, in her limited spare time, she developed her interest in art, from pottery and ceramics, and painting, not to mention all of the knitting, sewing, embroidery, and tatting.
From 2005 until her death, Evelyn lived at Selkirk Gardens where she embraced, and was embraced by, another tight-knit group of friends. She coped with the effects of a stroke in 2003 the way only Evelyn could, with grace, with humility, and with determination. She took on the role of grandmother and matriarch with verve and passion.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank, Drs. Farrugia and MacDonald for their kind and gentle care over the years. As well, thank you to the RCMP, First Responders and the two paramedics who all helped tremendously in the initial stages of comfort.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Revelstoke United Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday morning, July 7th with Reverend Dan Meakes officiating. Pallbearers were Derek Glover, Adam Sakiyama, Nicolas Sakiyama, Stewart Hayashi, Gerald Schlesiger and Matt Singh. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon, 729 Victoria Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2B5, in memory of Evelyn.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Evelyn’s family by viewing her obituary at
www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com.
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home, Revelstoke.