Betty Aiko Toyota
February 12, 1925 ~ June 12, 2017
Betty Toyota passed away peacefully with family in her home on June 12, 2017.
Betty Aiko Umakoshi was born in Vancouver BC on February 12, 1925, the third child and second daughter of Teru and Tasoji Umakoshi. She enjoyed a childhood in a home on Cordova Street which has since been designated a Heritage Site in Vancouver’s Japanese district. After daily classes at Strathcona Public School, she attended Japanese Language School, making her fluent in both English and Japanese. After high school graduation, Betty went on to a year of Business School where she developed her secretarial skills.
Because of the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1942, all Japanese in Canada were considered enemy aliens. Families were split, men were sent to POW camps in Ontario and women and children were interned in small towns in the interior of BC. From 1942 to 1946, Betty, her mother and two sisters were sent to Bay Farm near Slocan BC where she worked as a secretary and made the most of the war-time years. It was here that she met Tak Toyota – the “only man for her”. They married on March 31, 1946 in Slocan, and immediately settled in Creston. While Tak built up the thriving retail operation of Creston Electric Ltd. (incorporated in 1953) and eventually changed to Taks Home Furnishers, Betty was a homemaker and mother of their four children; Ron, born in 1947, Gary in 1950, Brian in 1952, and Joy, finally arrived in 1957. Once her children were all in school, she went back to work as a secretary in her husband’s store.
Betty loved to cook and bake and anyone who sat at her table heard the phrase “Eat it all up now!” as they struggled through their third helping. There was always plenty of food and treats for visitors and her numerous offspring, as well as the infamous crystal candy dish which every grandchild refined the task of “not making it ring”. She enjoyed making crafts – knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, sewing – and giving her artwork away. The hospital Tuck Shop sold dozens of her knitted baby outfits and every family member has a blanket/wall hanging/outfit made with her love. She volunteered with the Anglican Women’s Guild and the former Kiwanis Ladies Club. In the 1960s, Betty and Tak established Teen Town, which organized activities for students. They also led the way in establishing the Blossom Festival teen dances and all-night grad parties, running them for several years. In her 70s, Betty took up tai chi and it was here that she met her very special friend and walking partner, Edna Jeffrey. Besides their daily walk, Betty filled her days with tending to a variety of flowers and vegetables in her backyard garden, jumping on her mini-tramp, running up and down her stairs, and playing Scrabble online with her daughter.
Betty was predeceased by her father Tasoji, mother Teru, brother Johnny, sister Margaret and her beloved husband Tak who she remained faithfully devoted to and in love with for 44 years after his passing.
She is survived by her son Ron (Judy), Sanca, BC; son Gary (Shirley), Cranbrook, BC, son Brian (Fuyuko), Queensland, Australia; daughter Joy (Terry) Trapnell, Duncan BC; grandchildren Cory (Lori) Toyota, Denise (Jesse) Dumas, Amy (Lee) Chapoton, Ryan (Jenn) Toyota, Kimi Toyota, Naomi (Devin) Reid, Stasi Raptis and Brodie (Megan) Raptis; great-grandchildren, Robert, Bryan, Jacob and Sarah Dumas, Tak Toyota, Isaac and Norah Reid, and Sophie Raptis; sister Jeanne Hiraoka, and numerous nieces and nephews.
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no tears in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little – but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that once was shared
Miss me – but let me go
Viewing will take place Sunday, June 25, 2017 from 6pm to 7pm at G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel.
Please join us for a Celebration of Betty’s Life and legacy on Monday June 26, 2017 at 11am in the Creston Room of the Creston & District Community Complex; Rev. Harry Haberstock officiating.
Public reception to follow at the Complex and Interment to follow that at about 2pm.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Creston Valley Hospital “Tuck Shop”.