SADAE KANEGAWA

1923 - 2014

It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing of Sadae “Sally” Kanegawa in Taber on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the age of 90 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, May 2, 2014 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta, 470 - 40 Street South, Lethbridge on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Yasuo Izumi officiating. A private burial service followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Mom will be sadly missed by her daughter Shirley (Paul) Goto of Delta, British Columbia and their children Ian, Mark (Grace) Goto (their children Jorace, Loraine and Charlene); daughter Esther Kanegawa of Calgary; daughter Sharon (Marvin) Koizumi of Calgary and their children James and Kelly (Rob); son Stan (Audrey) Kanegawa of Vauxhall and their children Erin (Duncan), Karsten and Kyler; daughter Marlene (Rob) Wiest of Enchant and their children Mathew (Britny), Stephanie and Rylan; son Stuart (Nyree) Kanegawa of Scandia. She is also survived by her older sister Kikue Osaka of Richmond, British Columbia; brother Don (Chiyo) Narukami of Richmond, British Columbia; sister-in-law Yumiko Osaka of Lethbridge and brother-in-law Richard (Sue) Kanegawa of Calgary and their children Sandra (John), Shelley (Steve), Susan (Ward) and their children, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mom’s love and support will also be missed by Kenny (Shoko) Nakatani and their children Jeffrey (Tiffany), Michael (Kirstin), Jeanne and their children; as well, Shane (Etsuyo) Nishi and their children Scott, Cesilia (Mohamed) and Wesley.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Stanley Kanegawa, infant daughter Natsuko, her parents, older sisters Tsutae and Yoshie and brother Teruo.
Sadae was born on November 27, 1923 in Steveston, British Columbia to Katsugiro and Utae Narukami. At sixteen years old her mother passed away. During the Second World War, her family was forced to relocate, as was the experience of so many other Japanese Canadians. Eventually, her family would board a train, arriving in Lethbridge in 1942. The trip would bring them to work in the sugar beet fields of southern Alberta. She met Stanley Kanegawa, whose family was also relocated and eventually, they married on September 5, 1946. After many years of various farm employment, she and Stanley’s family were able to purchase land in the farming community of Vauxhall in the early fifties. While working alongside family and friends, they would eventually establish a successful farming business and she would raise six children and help care for her extended family.
Both were very active and devoted members of the Taber Buddhist Church. Mom continued that involvement after her husband’s pass
ing and served as president at the time when the church was amalgamated to form the new Buddhist Temple in 2009.
Mom had many hobbies and interest, she loved flowers and making flower arrangements, cooking and baking, gardening, golfing, travelling, singing and dancing. Her strongest passion though, was her love for Japanese (odori) dancing, as she had participated as a child. Sadae, along with other friends formed the Momiji Dance Club in Lethbridge (1976), performing at various local events, schools and charities to promote Japanese culture. She would perform and instruct with the club for over thirty years.
Above all else, her true love and duty was kept for her family, extended families and close friends. Strong family ties were very important to her. She loved to laugh and tell stories with her children and grandchildren. Her kindness, grace and appreciation for others will always be remembered by those who knew her.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Sadae’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 (www.tdhf.ca) or to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 - 19 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W5 (www.crhfoundation.ca) or to the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta, 470 - 40 Street, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3Z5.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hargrove and the wonderful, devoted nursing and admin staff at the Taber Health Centre, the caring staff of Home Care/Lethbridge Family Services, Dr. Zeilke, Heart Function Clinic and staff, Pharmasave Taber and the Chinook Regional Hospital staff.