Shizuko (SUE) KADOGUCHI
Our beloved Shizuko passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Palliative Care on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the age of 96 years. Born in Port Moody, BC, she received her formal education in Japan and returned to Canada in 1940 when she married Robert Yasuharu Kadoguchi. Together they dedicated much of their lives to the service of the Japanese-Canadian community being involved in the early funding and formation of the Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre and multiculturalism in Canada. Shizuko founded the Ikenobo School’s first Canadian floral art chapter in Toronto and remained its President for over 50 years, cultivating harmony through cultural exchange. By the age of 56 she achieved among the highest recognitions from the Ikenobo School in Japan and in 2010 was conferred the Junkaro award by the 45th Headmaster Sen’ei Ikenobo, the same year receiving the Order of the Rising Sun – Gold and Silver Rays from the Japanese Government. Shizuko leaves behind her devoted daughter Donna and son-in-law Toshihiko and her son Jerry’s family, (wife) Lilly, grandchildren Robyn (husband Kevin), Jeffrey (Heidi) and Bryan, and great-grandchild Mason. A celebration of Shizuko’s life will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre, (6 Garamond Court, Don Mills), from 2-5 p.m.
The family gratefully acknowledges the extraordinary support and compassion of doctors, nurses and staff at Sunnybrook Palliative Care, and the genuinely caring staff and friends at Glynnwood retirement residence in Thornhill.