With deep sadness and heartfelt affection, we announce the peaceful passing of Keiko Yao, who left us at the age of 90 on Sept. 16, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta. Keiko is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Patricia, and granddaughter, Lindsey; her daughter, Brenda, son Roger (Christine), and grandsons, Everett and Owen; son Tany (Julie); her younger brother, Yasusuke Sugata; and older sister, Sachiko Tsutsumi. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Perez, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage.
Born in Japanese-occupied Manchuria in 1934, Keiko’s early years were marked by upheaval as her family faced repatriation and had to rebuild their lives upon returning to Sasebo, in Nagasaki province, Japan. Through determination and dedication, Keiko excelled academically, earning a scholarship to study nursing at the Osaka Red Cross Nursing Program, in Osaka, Japan. Her academic success led to further studies at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, where she met her future husband, Jose Ho Perez Yao. They moved to Canada, where they raised their children and built a successful medical practice, living across Canada in Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and finally Alberta, in 1977. There, Keiko embraced an active life, balancing the responsibilities of raising four children while supporting her husband’s medical career. Keiko made the ultimate sacrifice in giving up her own nursing career, work that she had loved and for which she had received numerous recommendations based in Japan, the United States and Canada. In her final decade, Keiko devoted herself to gardening, diligently caring for the gardens around her condominium, and she actively contributed as a volunteer on the condominium board.
In accordance with the family’s wishes, a private farewell was held. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Fuentes Rodriguez, Nurse Practioner Jessica Deckert-Sookram, Dr. Sunil Sookram, Dr. Craig Domke and Dr. Diane Severin as well as all the doctors and staff who provided compassionate care during her battle with cancer. Your support and dedication were deeply appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alberta Cancer Foundation (https://albertacancer.ca/donate/).
Eunhee Brown says
So sad to hear about her death. Me myself and Cha’s family send our deepest condolences to Yao’s family. She was always very kind and up beat smiling person.
We will miss her ❤️