We Remember

KURAHASHI, Shigeko ‘Sugar’

January 12, 1930 — April 14, 2021

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved sister, aunt, and friend Shigeko ‘Sugar’ Kurahashi on April 14, 2021.

Shigeko lived a wonderful life. Born on January 12, 1930, to Hisakichi and Tsuru Tanaka in Wakayama-ken, Mio-mura, Shigeko was a loving daughter and kind sister. As a young woman, she moved to Tokyo to work at the Tachikawa U.S. Air Base. She also studied ikebana, earning a teacher’s certificate. Shigeko married her love, Yukio ‘Sam’ Kurahashi, and the young couple lived in 100 Mile House, BC for several years before settling permanently in idyllic Westbank, BC. Shigeko enjoyed many years at the Westbank Packinghouse where she formed precious lifetime friendships. Sugar and her dear friends Bernice, Marg, and Irene traveled to Reno twice and Spokane several times to watch ice – skating shows. For the past 20 years they also enjoyed monthly Boston Pizza lunches. When health issues prevented Sugar from attending, her friends brought Boston Pizza to her home. Sugar also cherished long chats, laughs, and precious times with Nobby, Aki, Trudy, Vern, Betty, Bruce, Nan, Toyoko, Toshiko, Anita, and so many other wonderful friends.

Shigeko also maintained a strong connection with her Japanese heritage. She enjoyed the New Year’s Day celebrations and prepared traditional dishes to share with family and friends. She enjoyed reading Japanese novels, writing in her diary, watching TV Japan, hunting for matsutake, and sharing onigiri bento. She also maintained a close association with the Buddhist temple.

Sugar possessed incredible gardening, quilting, sewing, crocheting, and other skills. Her generosity with these skills and her laughter, kind heart, and sense of humour endeared her to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Predeceased by her loving husband Sam, and brother Genichi Tanaka and his wife Fujiko, Shigeko is survived by her sister Hisayo Nishi (Keiji) in Vancouver and brother Masaru Tanaka (Yoko) in Japan. She is also survived by many nephews and nieces: Hajimu Tanaka (Kazuko), Chikashi Tanaka (Yuko), George Wada, Amy Wada, Victor Nishi (Lynda), Teresa McLaughlin (Sean), Wendy Ikesaka (David), Hiroshi Tanaka (Satomi), Miki Maeda (Tomo), Mina Bourel (Shane), and Stephen Kurahashi (Tracy). She is also survived by many loving grandnieces and nephews in Canada and Japan.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Kelowna General Hospital who provided care and compassion to Shigeko.

In lieu of flowers or koden, the family would appreciate a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kelowna Buddhist Temple in memory of Shigeko Kurahashi.

A private Graveside Service will be held at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery. The family would like to invite all who want to pay their respects to join online by Livestream on THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 AT 10:30 AM PST.  A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

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Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kelowna Buddhist Temple Link: www.heartandstroke.ca, www.kelownabuddhisttemple.org

 


 


Condolences

  • Mina Bourel says:
    April 25, 2021 at 10:59 pm

    I loved her so very much and will miss her a lot. My sincerest condolences to the Nishi family from the Kurahashi’s.
    Mina, Shane, Emma, Steven, Tracie and Kai

    Reply
  • Gary Arbeider, Margaret, Michael, Sarah & Andrew says:
    April 29, 2021 at 10:13 am

    We were so saddened to hear of the passing of ‘Auntie’ (Buba). She was such a kind-hearted, loving person. We so enjoyed visiting with her when we were in Kelowna. She always had a smile on her face and a good story to tell. She was so good with the children and we could see that she was a wonderful support to the Nishi family. We will miss seeing her when we next visit in Kelowna. With heartfelt condolences.

    Reply
  • MP Tracy Gray says:
    April 29, 2021 at 10:43 am

    I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
    Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country

    Reply
  • Pegi Hayashi Uyeyama says:
    April 29, 2021 at 11:17 am

    To the Kurahashi Family, I would like to express my sincerest condolences. It was a very beautiful service. We will all miss her smiling face and laughter. – Namo Amida Butsu – Pegi Hayashi

    Reply

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