Obituary of Betty Fusako Higuchi
Betty went home to her Heavenly Father shortly after celebrating her 95th birthday at Thanksgiving. She was blessed with good health for most of those years and was deeply thankful for the love and care of her family, friends, neighbours, and church community.
Betty was the daughter of Junzo and Hatsuye Yamake, and the second oldest of three siblings raised in British Columbia. Her father was one of seven brothers who emigrated to Canada from Japan, and her parents ran a Japanese confectionery shop in Japantown, Vancouver. As a second-generation Japanese Canadian, the events of World War II had a significant impact on her teenage years. During that time, her family was forced to move to the interior of BC, settling first in Magna Bay, then Notch Hill, and finally Kamloops.
Marriage brought her to Toronto, where her faith journey began. God became her rock and foundation, especially during the years she was left to raise five children on her own. She began attending Parkway Bible Church and served faithfully over many decades, supporting evangelism, teaching Sunday School, hosting Bible studies in her home, and helping establish the seniors’ group, now known as the Overcomers. She continued to participate and serve, well into her 95th year.
Betty was an avid reader, knitter, crafter, and baker, always keeping her hands and mind busy with something creative. An avid sewer as well, she developed a career teaching sewing and selling sewing machines. She ran many well-attended classes over the years and was
instrumental in establishing the first Stretch Sewing Course through the White-Elna store in Scarborough, sharing her skills and encouraging creativity in others.
Family meant everything to Betty. With her children living across Canada from Ontario to British Columbia, her home in Toronto became the centre of the family, and she hosted countless gatherings over the years. Though she was gentle and soft-spoken, her wit and unexpected moments of silliness always brought a smile to those around her. She remained in her home for as long as she could because it mattered to her to have a place where her family could visit, stay, and be together.
Betty’s passing leaves behind her children Gwen, Cliff (Roxanne), Geoff (Danielle), Cheryl (John), and Charlene; her eight grandchildren Jasen (Erin), James (Miranda), Alannah, Ryan, Justine (Tristan), Shania, Brendan, and Takara; and her six great-grandchildren Angus,
Cadence, Lena, Riley, James Jr., and Clarke. She is also remembered by her nieces, and their families. Betty was predeceased by her sister Shirley, brother Joe, brothers-in-law Jimmy and Shinichi, sister-in-law Patsy, sons-in-law Bill and Brian, and husband Augustine (Gus).
The family would like to acknowledge and express their immense gratitude to Heather Spence and the wonderful, caring nurses at Vitality Nursing; the PSWs at RNS and Circle of Care; and the palliative care doctors and nurses who supported Betty and her family with such kindness.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held in the new year (date/time TBD) at Parkway Bible Church, 77 Ivordale Crescent, Scarborough, Ontario.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Parkway Bible Church or any Food Bank.
A private family interment at the Vancouver Crematorium will take place at a later date.