March 9, 1942 - January 5, 2025
Tamako (Tama) Kawase passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, with close friends by her bedside at Fraser Hope Lodge.
Born in Richmond on March 9, 1942, Tama grew up in Tappen, BC, earned her Bachelor of Home Economics from UBC in 1967, and a teaching degree from the University of Victoria. After stints teaching at Clearwater and Elphinstone Secondary Schools while completing her degree, she moved to Hope in 1968 where she taught at Hope Secondary School until her retirement in 1999.
For many years, Tama served as a director on the Hope Golf Club board. She was very involved with the Ladies Golf Club as treasurer and helped with organizing the Ladies Annual Tournament. She also enjoyed fishing, playing bridge, going to the casino, and hosting wonderful dinners and parties for friends and family.
She is survived by sisters, Tommi (Tami) Kawase and Hana Bistrisky; nieces, Dana, Eileen, Naomi, and Catherine; and nephew, Roger. Tama was predeceased by her partner and companion, Glen Dupre; her parents, Sato and Tadayoshi Kawase, and siblings Aya, Mas, Fumi, Keiji, Mieko, Yosh, and Tad.
A big thank you to the team at Fraser Hope Lodge for the care and community that they provided for Tama in her final months, and all the many close friends who came to visit her and offer support.
A celebration of life will be held at Hope Golf & Country Club on Saturday, April 5, at 1:00 pm.
Service Details
1:00 PM