Louise Hirowatari nee Uyede passed away suddenly after a brief illness on May 18, 2025 at Scarborough Centenary Hospital in Scarborough, Ontario. Born in the city of Victoria, British Columbia on January 22, 1934. One of Chikaye and Umekichi Uyede’s nine children, her formative years were spent like many Japanese Canadians in the Tashme internment camp in the interior of B.C., prior to moving out with her family to a Scarborough, Ontario mushroom farm. Her family eventually moved to a crowded home on Lakeview Avenue in Toronto. Louise attended Eastern Commerce High School along with her four sisters, Carole, Suzie, Agnes, and Norma. It was a foundation for Louise’s continued interest in expanding her knowledge by taking courses in Japanese language while in her fifties as well as activities that would stimulate her mind in her later years. Louise was an avid reader of novels, continuously doing puzzles on her electronic devices and constantly learning new skills like the Japanese needle point craft, bunka. Throughout her 91 years she never stopped learning and actively participated in a daily fitness program.
If the story is correct, although the source may not be credible, Mickey Kaneko introduced Mamoru Hirowatari to Louise at a Japanese United Church function on Dovercourt Avenue because Mamoru said there was no where to find Japanese women in Toronto. It was one of the few times Mamoru would attend church! That was in 1957 and they were married by 1959 in a double ceremony with Louise’s sister Agnes, who oddly enough married Mickey Kaneko.
Louise supported Mamoru’s dream of opening East Way Autobody on Warden Avenue where she worked as the bookkeeper/administration until they retired in 1989. In the meantime, they welcomed a son, Mark in May of 1961.
Following retirement Louise was constantly busy. She was a vital and active member of the Centennial United Church on Dovercourt Avenue and its many iterations since then. She travelled to the two Vs, Vancouver and Vegas on a yearly basis. However, her greatest joy was spending time as an incredibly proud grandmother to Hana and Sara. She was also a “pseudo” grandmother Caitlin, Abby, Brendan, and Nathan. She was Auntie Lu-Lu to her many nieces and nephews. She was also a rewards club member to the many casinos around the Toronto area. Since 2018, Louise along with Mamoru moved into Momiji Health Care facility where she established many friendships and participated in many of Momiji’s programs. Our hearts are breaking but we know her faith will carry her to a place where she will be welcomed with only love and joy.

In lieu of Koden, donations to Momiji Health Care Society in Memory of Louise Hirowatari would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.