MITSUYE ‘Mitsi’ MITANI
On Friday, July 19th, 2019, Mitsuye ‘Mitsi’ Mitani, loving wife, beautiful mother, gentle grandmother and fun-loving friend, passed away at Dryden District Hospital with her family by her side, due to age-related factors.
Born April 1, 1922 in Haney, B.C., Mitsi, fourth child of a family of six children, learned her gentle and maternal skills from her father, Tsunami Kika, and her older sisters, as her mother, Ichi Horiuchi died when the children were very young. Despite being small in physical stature, a feisty and very athletic Mitsi played many sports in her younger years, her favourites being basketball and baseball with the boys. Solid athletic genes that transferred to her offspring, were not just from Rush!
In July 1940, Mitsuye married Hiroshi ‘Rush’ Mitani, her love for the next 75 years. They resided in Maple Ridge B.C. until the family was moved inland by the Federal Government during World War II. After a short stint living in Manitoba, in 1945 Mitsi and Rush moved to Dryden, Ontario with their three boys where Rush found employment with the Pulp and Paper mill.
While husband Rush, achieved fame as a Master Martial artist in Judo, Mitsi, his greatest supporter, worked her magic creating a nurturing home for their five children and Rush’s parents Toyo and Takejiro. Mitsi always appeared demure as Rush’s wife, but her competitive spirit as his equal partner was exhibited in their many outdoor expeditions; hunting, fishing, on their snow machines or X-country skiing! Always in friendly competitions with her husband, Mitsi finally did beat him in their one last competition – while both lived the good life for 97 years, Mitsi surpassed Rush by 18 days longer.
Close friendships were developed over 25 years while Mitsi attended water-fit exercise classes at the Dryden swimming pool well into her 90’s. Mitsi also spent many years as an active member of the United Church Women’s Unit 2 volunteering her services to the church community.
Notably, Mitsi developed quite a reputation for her culinary prowess in the preparation of Japanese and Chinese food. She has served many wonderful meals for family and friends throughout the Dryden area. The Mitani home was always crowded on special occasions where guests sampled Mitsi’s delectable entrees.
Upon entering Patricia Gardens, one always knew where to look for Mitsi. Surrounded by her close and dear friends, she could be found in the sunroom playing Aggravation or on Wednesday afternoons playing Bingo, enjoying a cup of tea at Princess Court, or in front of her big screen television watching every Curling Bonspiel and the odd Western movie.
Mitsi is survived by her sons, Lawrence of Waterloo, Dick (Donna) of Thunder Bay, Don (Lyn) of Dryden, and daughter Donna (Jerome Peckham) of Peterborough; nine grandchildren, Sherri (Paul Bryant), Darcy, Nicole (Steve Tomkins), Stefan (Lisa), Tanis (Rodney Oberg), Karen, Michael, Ash (Erin), Kiyomi (Paul Hunter), and twelve great-grandchildren. Mitsi is also survived by her younger brother Frank Kika (Si) of Surrey, B.C, sister-in-law Tatsuye Okamoto of Winnipeg, daughter-in-law Carmen Haney of Dryden and many nieces and nephews across Canada and the U.S.
Mitsi was predeceased by husband Hiroshi ‘Rush’, in January 2016; sisters Shuz Koyanagi, Hizi Yoshida and Maria Yoshinaka; son Doug (2014); and daughters-in-law Erika, Patti and Dolores.
Without reservation Mitsi loved her family dearly and looked forward to their visits and phone calls. Mitsi’s warm smile and beautiful generous spirit will remain in our hearts forever.
A celebration of Mitsi’s life will be held on Saturday, July 27th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Church with Alice Bloomfield officiating. Interment of ashes will follow the luncheon at the Dryden Cemetery.
If friends desire, donations may be made to the DREAM Committee (chq payable to the City of Dryden) or a charity of your choice through the Stevens Funeral Home P.O. Box 412, Dryden ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca.
