SUGIE, Aiko “Irene”

September 21, 1929 — July 29, 2024

With heavy hearts, our family shares the peaceful passing of Aiko “Irene” Sugie on July 29, 2024 in Kelowna, BC at the age of 94. It was only six short weeks after the passing of her husband, Sam, on June 17, 2024.

Mom was born in Vancouver on September 21, 1929. She was the oldest of three. Her sister, Fumiko who lives in Kitchener, Ontario, and her brother, Ken, who sadly passed in 2014.

Mom attended primary school and Japanese school in Vancouver. It was in grade 1 when she first met dad. Her family also faced its share of hardship during WWII in 1941, when all of their property was seized and the family was evacuated to internment camps, first in Sandon, BC, then later to New Denver. The interned families had the option of moving to Japan or to the east of the Rockies. Mom’s father signed up to move the family to Japan, so they were moved to another camp in Tashme, near Hope. It was closer to Vancouver where they could board the ship for Japan. But when mom turned 16, she refused to go, so her father cancelled the trip. Now it was time to move east of the Rockies.

In 1946, the family moved to Montreal to be closer to relatives. Dad’s family also moved to Montreal around the same time. At some point, mom reconnected with dad and they were married on September 4, 1954 in Montreal. Shortly after, they decided to move to Vancouver. She worked at the Hudson’s Bay doing data entry … until I was born!

In 1970, we moved to Kelowna. Mom worked for a short time in the office at Sun Rype packing house. She retired early and became a full-time housewife. She enjoyed knitting and baking, but most of all, she got to enjoy and be part of her two grandsons’ lives and watch them grow up. She was a member of the Kelowna Buddhist Temple and was a longtime treasurer for its local women’s association. Mom and dad enjoyed their camping and fishing weekends together. Their favourite place was Sugar Lake by Lumby, BC. Together, then would catch tons of kokanee and trout. I don’t think mom ever handled the bait or the fish though!

They were always together, and celebrated their important wedding anniversaries, travelling to San Fransisco, Hawaii, Alaska. Mom and dad also enjoyed their bus trips to Reno with friends.
Mom was always busy in the summer months when it was harvest time, as dad would bring in buckets full of veggies from his overflowing and healthy garden. Poor mom would have to get creative on how she was going to deal with all of these vegetables!  They were both very generous and would share the crops with family and friends.

Mom and dad walked alot, every day. You may have spotted them somewhere in Rutland along Hwy 33 on their way to McDonalds or Timmies for coffee.

Mom had a very quiet and relaxed nature. She was always very giving of everything. She took care of us. She loved everyone. She was beautiful, and we will miss her so very much. Mom would have been celebrating her 95th birthday and 70th wedding anniversary with dad in September 2024. They are together again to start their next journey.

She leaves behind her two grandsons, Austin (Ashley) and Cole, her sister Fumiko, numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, many friends… and me, her daughter Patricia, and my husband Dennis Frederiksen.

A huge thank-you to Three Links Manor, where mom lived for a year and a half. All of you who took such wonderful care of her, we love you.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Kelowna Buddhist Temple at a later date. For those wishing to make a donation or in lieu of koden, please consider the Kelowna Buddhist Temple or a charity close to your heart.

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