KAWAHARA, Nelly Kawano
December 14, 1924 — May 6, 2022
It is with deep regret that we announce the peaceful passing of Nelly Kawano Idenouye Kawahara, on May 6, 2022. She was 97.
Nellie was born on December 14, 1924, and lived on the Coldstream Ranch and in Okanagan Centre. She married Toru Idenouye and gave birth to their son Chris Idenouye after moving to Toronto, ON. She and Toru divorced in 1955.
Nellie remarried in 1968 to widower Hideo Kawahara, and helped raise Hideo’s daughter, Sarah. Hideo passed in 2011.
During her life, Nellie worked as a Medical Secretary and pursued a myriad of interests such as ballroom dancing, opera, Japanese singing and Odori dancing, snow skiing, mushroom hunting, painting, growing vegetables, and even deep-sea fishing.
Nellie was predeceased by her sisters, Alma (Miike) & Grace (Ito), and brother, Melvin Kawano. She leaves her local network of friends and advocates including Mark and Junko Charpentier, niece Barb (Kawano) and Terry, and all the Kawano family.
Her loving family is spread across the continent:
– Chris, Gail, Stacy, Kevin, Brooklyn, Stella, Patricia, Nandor, and Levente in Edmonton, Alberta,
– Spencer and Vana in Ajax, Ontario,
– Linda McDonald and Vernon Miike and their families in Toronto, Ontario,
– and Sarah, Jamie, Alysse, Jack, Mae, Hayley, Becca, Thatcher, and Marla in Los Angeles, California.
The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Hawthorn Park and Orchard Manor in Kelowna.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de KAWAHARA Nelly Kawano December 14 1924 — May 6 2022..
Décès pour la Ville: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique