Toshiko Oikawa

Oikawa, Toshiko (Toshi), 22 July 1926-21 July 2024. Eldest child of Naka Oikawa and Kimiye (née Mikami). Born in White Rock, B.C., and raised in Fraser Mills, she and her family were forced to leave their home in 1942 and interned at Kaslo, relocating after war’s end to Vineland Station, Ontario, where they supported themselves as farmworkers. After high school, Toshi secured work with Bell Canada, remaining until she took early retirement to care for her parents. She gave selflessly to the East York community, volunteering in elementary schools and libraries as well as organizing countless presentations on Japanese arts and culture. If you grew up in Leaside and know how to fold a crane, chances are it all began with Toshi. An early member of the Toronto Japanese Garden Club, she served as President and with her friend Gloria Sumiye, did the hardest, least glamorous jobs to keep the club afloat. Her prodigious efforts in the campaign for Japanese Canadian redress led to service on the Mayor’s Committee on Multiculturalism and Racism and the Nikkei Voice newspaper. An informed and faithful patron of the arts, she completed university courses at night, augmenting her education with tours to Stratford and participation in programs at the Toronto Symphony and the ROM, where she volunteered. She generously supported Vietnamese refugee resettlement, and environmental and indigenous causes. Compassionate to others, demanding of self, loyal to a fault, she embodied the old Meiji ways leavened with rich dollops of humour and forgiveness. Predeceased by her brothers Tetsuo and Haruo, she is survived by sister Nobuko and her family of the heart, Chris and Gail. Thanks to the kind support workers at Revera, John Hoffman and Ontario Health at Home, Temmy Latner Centre, and to Dr. Wrensford Simmonds for his years of care. Private family service has been held. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Toronto Chapter, National Association of Japanese Canadians (:
https://the-greater-toronto-chapter-of-the-najc.square.site/product/toronto-najc-supporter/3?cs=true, Nikkei Voice (http://nikkeivoice.ca/donate-to-nikkei-voice), Japanese Social Services JSS (https://jss.ca/en/jss-support/donation/), Momiji Health Care Society (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/10112?v2=true), or Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (https://jccc.on.ca/join-support/donate/make-donation) would be appreciated. To receive or share information privately with family please contact OikawaWelcome@yahoo.com.