HARUKO HELEN MIYATA

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Haruko Helen Miyata passed away peacefully at the age of 93 at Meadowood Manor on October 29, 2025.

Left to mourn her gentle soul are her daughter Tannis Steiman; son in law Mark Steiman; and daughter in law Christine Miyata (Robert); grandchildren, David (Janelle), Colin (Joie), and Dominic Miyata and Max, Miya and Jack Steiman; great grandson, Quinn Ji Miyata; as well as her Matsubara nieces and nephews and sisters in law, Yoneko (Nobuo) and Yoshiko (Tadao) Matsubara; and extended families, Hamade, Kudo, Kirby and Sugiyama…

Haruko was predeceased by her husband, Tsutomu Miyata; son, Robert Miyata; and all her siblings: Takeo Matsubara, Hideo Matsubara, Nobuo Matsubara, Tadao Matsubara, Shizuko Ota, and Kazuko Kudo.

Haruko was born on March 20, 1932, in Steveston, British Columbia to Keitaro and Sumino Matsubara. 

When she was 2 years old, Haruko and her mother, sisters and Tadao went to visit her grandmother in Japan. While in Japan, the bombing of Pearl Harbour led to anti-Canadian Japanese sentiment and thus led to the dissection of her family caught between Canada and Japan. Originally, a planned trip for 1 month turned into over 2 decades.  

Upon her return as a young adult in her early twenties, my mother was greeted by a slight man at the CN railway station; it was her brother Nobuo! She did not know him at all.  

During the war, the family endured hardship and racism. The Matsubara family was sent to work on the sugar beet farm in Homewood Manitoba. The years spent farming the land was very hard work, but my mom had positive memories for the warmth and kindness she received from the Froebes family.

My mother met my father in Winnipeg while she was studying to be a hairstylist at Scientific Beauty School on Portage Avenue. My father worked for the Hudson’s Bay company and would see her walking from the bus stop to her school. Later, they would meet amongst a gathering of young Japanese Canadian people. Married on Sept. 1, 1956, my parents had a loving and respectful marriage. Together, they travelled across North America, to Hawaii several times, several Caribbean cruises, many trips to Mexico, a European Tour and to Japan. 

My parents provided a peaceful and calm life for my brother Robert, and me. Mom was a wonderful homemaker, and she created a safe home of love and acceptance. We were provided with a tender and patient upbringing. We have warm memories of family trips to Florida, camping across Canada and many summers spent with our friends and family at our beautiful cabin at Auglen Park, Lac du Bonnet. Most importantly, mom and dad gave us love and adoration. Every accomplishment was quietly praised, and every challenge was supported.

My mother was very active in the community with volunteering at the High Steppers Seniors Club, ushering at the Manitoba Theater Center, visiting shut ins and baking for all who were privileged enough to be her family, friends or hungry. Haruko also spent time volunteering with Agape Table, serving those in need. Mom and Dad would assist with delivering Christmas Hampers in the community and mom would always include some of her art in each hamper as a way to extend love.  

Haruko was a talented and creative woman, but her passion was her art. Mom was able to produce enough art to show her work at the Spring 2023 annual art show at the age of 91. Many have her paintings displayed in their homes; each piece of work telling a story. Thank you to the members in her art community for their collegiality and friendship over the years.

Haruko’s passion for painting started with joining the Evelyn Loewen School of Art in Windsor Park. This began a life of joyful creativity and lifelong friendships. Additionally, mom would join Forum and Local Colours art groups; finally settling with the St. Vital Art Club. My mother always told me to develop my own passion in life; joy must be cultivated, and your mind must continue to be stimulated. Something just for yourself, she said. 

Haruko could create any item of clothing without a pattern. On one occasion, she and I were downtown shopping for back-to-school clothing. I saw a gorgeous corduroy jumpsuit made of sage green and cream fabric. Mom saw the look on my face and knew that I loved it. I saw the price tag and pretended that it wasn’t for me. On Christmas morning, I unwrapped one of my gifts and lo and behold, my mother had sewn an exact replica of the jumpsuit for me. She was an inspiration of thoughtfulness and kindness.

Mom and Dad moved to Crestwood Crescent in Windsor Park and began a 7-decade relationship with the community and their neighbours. They adored the Allan’s and soon our two families were spending time camping, traveling, and celebrating holidays together.

Mom’s resilience was modelled for me when my brother Robert passed away. Mom and dad were stoic and expressed gratitude for having had him and for the beautiful grandsons Rob and Christine had together. Mom was the ultimate grandmother and created many mosaics and paintings with and for each of her grandchildren. Days were spent gardening, learning, baking and creating when mom and dad babysat.  

My mother was very involved with her church community at Windsor Park United Church and was a very faithful person. She loved God and the people in the church. Many years were spent as a Sunday School teacher, CGIT and Messengers Leader, as well as involvement with her UCW group. Above all, Mom loved to sing in the choir under the guidance and support from Laura Steidel. How joyous was her singing!

Mom’s life was a good one. She accepted and embraced it and was grateful for everything that was given to her. Even in her declining health, mom would always smile at me and say, “I am so lucky”. 

Mom always carried a piece of paper in her wallet with the following poem written by M. Henoch: 

Be kinder than necessary

for everyone you meet is

fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply. Love generously.

Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

Life isn’t about waiting

for the storm to pass.

It’s about learning to

dance in the rain.

There were many family members and friends who have helped our family out tremendously over the years. My cousins, Joy, Dave, Tim, Freddy and Sheila Matsubara have been there for our family 100 percent of the time. At times, your support and love have sustained us. I can’t thank you enough. Caregivers, Miyako Ogasawara and Emi Furutani, neighbours Luke, Martin, Preston, and Shayda Heinbigner. Your care for Haruko and Tom over the years will never be forgotten. Our thanks and gratitude also go to Melisa and Chris Chipman for their assistance, support, and love and to Tannis, Alvina and Morris Turner for your friendship and thoughtfulness. Windsor Park United Church has been a spiritual support for mom and our family, and we are grateful to have been part of this faith community. 

Mom and Dad were fortunate enough to have the love and friendship of their in laws: Curtis and Lorane Steiman family and The Lavergne family. Thank you for always extending your invitations and love to include my parents. Both my brother and I have appreciated your families’ loving kindness. 

Thank you to the caregivers; Dr. Quy Doan, nephew Dr. Tim Matsubara and friend, Dr. Monica Dowhanik for your medical support and care over the decades. Our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Beacon Hill and Meadowood Manor: your love and compassion was so evident and made our lives better.

My mom’s name, Haruko, means Spring Girl. How fitting that name is for its hope, renewal and awakening.  

As such, we will be having a Spring celebration of life for her with the date to be determined. Cremation has taken place and her and dad’s ashes will be laid to rest together in the Spring.

Donations to Windsor Park United Church would be gratefully accepted on behalf of my mother.

Windsor Park United Church

1062 Autumnwood Drive

Winnipeg, Mb

R2J 1C7

Thank you, Mama.

Kyo Tsukete

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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