AOKI, Marcia Sumiko (nee Suzuki) - With her family by her side, Marcia passed away peacefully at home in her 89th year on April 22, 2025.

She is survived by her daughter Jill, grandsons Malivai and Makoto, brother David and many (grand) nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Richard (Dick), daughter Janice, and sister Aiko.

Born in Vancouver, B.C., Marcia, as a Japanese Canadian, was sent with her siblings and parents Kaoru Suzuki & Setsu Nakamura to the Slocan Internment Camp at a young age. After the war, the family was sent to Leamington, ON and then settled in London. Marcia moved to Toronto with her sister Aiko where she lived the remainder of her life.

In 1957, Marcia met her husband, Richard Aoki who she wed in 1958. Marcia ran the household especially when Dick was working out of town. In her retirement years, Marcia took up bowling where she enjoyed spending time with her husband and socializing with new friends. They also enjoyed weekly dinners with friends and their family, something she missed later in life. They were married for 63 years and were supportive partners throughout until Dick’s passing in 2022.

Marcia defied the odds. She wasn’t expected to live nor have children when she was born. The doctors advised her parents to leave her to die but her father refused and picked her up against their orders. She not only became a parent but also a grandparent (Baba). Her strength was evident even over the last weeks where all nurses, PSWs and doctors commented on her strong will and strength. She never lost her sharp mind which helped her stay organized in life right until the end.

Marcia was a talented knitter and seamstress who made clothing for her daughters when they were young. She developed a great love for quilting and many family and friends were beneficiaries of her hand-made works. Marcia loved to work outdoors and took pride in the garden that her father helped her develop. The front yard of the house provided a beautiful focal point in the neighborhood over the years.

Marcia’s great joy came from her family, especially her grandsons Malivai and Makoto. Though she did all she could to assist in the physical and academic development of daughters Janice and Jill, nothing brought her more happiness than spending time with the boys. Every summer she would take the boys to Ontario Place and the Science Centre, and was quick to make them a nice cold bowl of somen on hot summer days. As the boys grew older, the bond with their Baba remained strong. Later in life, she enjoyed the smaller things like watching the Bold and the Beautiful but when spending time with her grandsons, she was happiest.

Marcia lived a purpose filled and meaningful life, giving so much to her family. She will be greatly missed. We know she loved us and she knew we loved her. While there is much sorrow in her passing, we take comfort in knowing it was our beloved mother’s/Baba’s time to rest her weary body and go home to reunite with loved ones.

At her request, there will be no funeral. A celebration of life will be held with family.

My mom's wish was to die at home which was made easier with the support received from the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities' Palliative Team and Ontario Health at Home. Scarborough accounts for 25% of Toronto’s population yet receives less than 1% of the hospital donations. If you wish to honour my mom by donating to the Scarborough Health Networks' "Love Scarborough" campaign or to the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities Palliative Team, we would appreciate it - see donation tab