BETTY MASUMI INOUYE of Kamloops, BC passed away on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 at 79 years of age.
Survived by her loving husband Roy, daughters Lori (Bob), Adele (Bill), and Teri (Denis), grandsons Brian and Alex, and brother, Ken. Her uncles, aunts and cousins that live in Washington State and California. She is predeceased by her parents Dr. Masajiro and Sumiko Miyazaki and her sister Rumi.
Betty was born in Vancouver, February 19, 1935, eldest daughter to Dr. Masajiro and Sumiko Miyazaki. During the evacuation of the Japanese Canadians from the BC Coast, she and her family moved to Bridge River and then to Lillooet where her father became the doctor to the people of Lillooet and all of the surrounding area.
After graduating high school in Lillooet, Betty moved to Vancouver in 1952 to attend U.B.C. where she met Roy Inouye and they married in the summer of 1959. She taught for one year in Kitimat, BC before moving to Kamloops. From 1958 to 1993 she was employed in the Kamloops School District where she taught Business, Japanese Language and was a Girl’s Counsellor. During that period, in 1968 she was appointed to the position of Vice-Principal of NorKam Secondary School. She finished her career in education by going back to teaching Business and Japanese Language. In 1984 she was appointed by the BC Ministry of Education to a Provincial committee that developed the Japanese Language Curriculum now used in BC schools.
Betty was extremely active in numerous community organizations, both as a great support to her husband Roy in all the organizations he was involved in, and in her own role as a volunteer and board member of various organizations and committees. Her interest in serving the community began at U.B.C. where she was active in the Nissei Varsity Club, Phrateres, numerous U.B.C. organizations, and the Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizen’s Association. After moving to Kamloops she actively participated in, often on the executives and in many of the committees in the Kamloops Japanese Canadian Assoc., Kamloops Lady Lions Club, BC and Kamloops Folkfest Societies, Kamloops Heritage Language School, Japanese Language School, Kamloops Multicultural Society, Kamloops Chapter of the National Association of Japanese Canadians, and the Kamloops Buddhist Temple.
Her unselfish dedication to her work and community was well recognized and she received many recognitions, appreciation certificates, and awards. Among those recognitions she was awarded the Kamloops YM/YWCA Women of Distinction Award (1998) for pioneering the role of women in high school administration, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) in recognition of her long work to community and Country, and she was one of twelve women selected for a book titled “Not Just A Tea Party” celebrating Women’s Contribution to Community Life (2009).
A Memorial Service celebrating her life will take place at 1:30pm on Monday, June 9th, 2014 at the Kamloops Buddhist Temple, 361 Poplar St. Kamloops with Rev. Y Miyakawa officiating. In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to the Kamloops Japanese Canadian Association.
16 Tributes
To Roy and family:
I was deeply saddened to learn about Betty’s passing. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
I hope that many happy memories will help all of you through this difficult time.
In Gassho
Kaz
What an amazing life! We know she will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
Jill and Ed
Please accept our more sincere condolences at this sad time. Not only was Betty a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, she was also a generous person who gave back to her community in many ways. It was an honour to have known her. Mary & Gilles Langlois
Teri,
Strenght in your loss. It seems your mom had a full and exciting life.
Maarten
Sincere condolences, Roy and family. Betty was such a good friend to us for so many years. We shall miss her.
Harry & Shoko Nishimura, Sorrento BC
Adele & Bill,
We are thinking of all of you during this difficult time. I hold the memories of your wedding week and spending happy times with both of your families dear to my heart.
Karen, Greg, Daria & Laura
St. John’s NL
Condolences to Roy and Family as we bid farewell and express our gratitude to
Betty who welcomed us to Kamloops with her gracious guidance to its Japanese Canadian society.
Adele & Bill,
Our deepest sympathy to you and Bill and your
family.
Hertha and Rolf Timmermanns.
Roy, Lori, Adele, Teri and families,
I was so sad to hear of Betty’s passing. My condolences to all of you. It was an honour to have her in my life. Thinking of all of you during this hard time.
Sue and family
So sorry for your loss. The remembrance of the good done by our loved ones is our consolation for when we have lost them.
Your in my thoughts.
Adele and Bill,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Teri,
Thinking of you and your family at this very difficult time.
Tracy
Dear Adele, Bill and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of such a fine mother and woman. She was so inspiring. We are thinking of you during this difficult time and send much love.
Love,
Nancy, Lance, Keane & Hugh
Dear Adele, Bill & family
We are saddened by the news of Betty’s passing. We hope that the love & memories that you have for her will help you through this difficult time.
With our condolences & love,
Brigita & Bruce
Our sincere condolences to Roy and family.
I feel sorry that Betty can not see any more the development of the Miyazaki House Project.
Tatsuo & Diane Kage
Uncle Roy and family,
Our deepest condolences. Aunt Betty lived a full life and gave so much back to her family, friends, and community. She will be greatly missed.
Jhana, Jason, Katie and Michael