It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of SHIZUE (SUSIE) YAMAGISHI, of Lethbridge, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at the age of 105 years. She was the beloved wife of the late Yajiro Yamagishi.
Susie will be missed by her family; Bill (Jane) Nishijima, Kiyo (Toki) Nishijima, Don (Maureen) Yamagishi, Lloyd Yamagishi, Rick (Terri) Yamagishi, Marj (Kaz) Tomomitsu, Irene (Paul) Rohrer, and a special son Taka (Mitsue) Kinjo.
She is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Brian Fujii, Mark (Angie) Fujii, Liz (Richard) Chiste, Kevin (Chiyako) Nishijima, Paul (Sonia) Nishijima, Elaine (Randy) Joevenazzo, Kelly (Randy) Scoville, Tamara Tomomitsu (Michael Perlman), Steve Rohr, Kristin (Chris) Yarish, Kyle (Val) Yamagishi, Kendall Yamagishi, Colten Yamagishi, Wayne (Lexie) Kinjo, Mika (James) Nakashima, Akane Kinjo, and 11 great grandchildren.
Susie was predeceased by her first husband Shigeo Nishijima, son Richard Nishijima, daughters Mary Fujii and Ruby Yamagishi, and granddaughters, Karyn Yamagishi and Naomi Nishijima.
She was born on December 15, 1909 in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, Japan and came to Canada at the young age of 18, settling in the city of New Westminster, BC. The family evacuated to Taber, AB in 1942 and moved to Lethbridge in 1954. She resided in her home until the age of 96, where she then moved to Martha's House for 9 years and recently to Adaptacare.
Family, friends, flowers and tending to her garden were her passion. In her active years Susie was very involved in the Taber and Lethbridge Buddhist Church where she was well known for her great cooking skills. Susie leaves behind a great legacy that enriched others lives with her great sense of humour and wit.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet the family at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME - 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, January 12, 2014 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.
A Memorial Service will be held at the BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA - 470 40 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, January 13, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Yasuo Izumi officiating.
In lieu of koden and flowers, memorial donation may be made to the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta - 470 - 40th Street South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3Z5 or a Charity of your choice.