Atsuko is survived by her daughter, Jackie, her son-in-law Brian and her grandchildren Matthew and Rachel.
Atsuko was born on January 25, 1931 in Vancouver, BC. She returned to Japan with her family when she was still a baby. After graduating from a prestigious high school, she worked in the Hiroshima government office. In 1956, Atsuko returned to Canada, initially to Toronto, where she met and married James Takashima and had a daughter, Jackie. In 1964 they moved to Vancouver, where Atsuko worked in food services at the Planetarium, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Eaton’s. In 1983, she lovingly cared for her husband James when he passed away from cancer. Her family and friends remember her as a kind, understanding and generous person who encouraged them to be happy and enjoy life to the fullest!
Atsuko was a certified teacher in Japanese samisen and shigin and taught these skills in her spare time and for 20 years after she retired from work. She was an active and dedicated member of her singing club and her love of music never left her. In addition to her musical talents, she was extremely good with her hands and very artistic: she loved gardening and spent many hours creating beautiful arrangements. Her handwriting in both Japanese and English were often admired. A natural beauty with flawless skin, she had a classic fashion sense. She was fluent in both Japanese and English, had a great sense of humour and always greeted people with a smile. She believed that life should not be wasted, and her travels included Brazil, Europe, and Hawaii.
No service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Tonari Gumi, Japanese Community Volunteer Service at www.tonarigumi.ca/make-a-donation. Condolences can be given by clicking “Add a Memory” near the bottom of this webpage.
The family would like to thank The Village Langley and the loving and expert caregivers there at Cedar House for their dedication, and patience.
Also they would like to thank these invaluable Vancouver services that offer senior care in Japanese: Nikoniko Home Care service and the Tonari Gumi, Japanese Community Volunteer Service.
All these people made the last 10 years of Atsuko’s life happy ones.
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