Nancy Nobuko Nakamura

Nancy Nakamura passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday February 25th at the age of 88 years old.

Nancy was born in December 1935 to Einosuke and Miki Nishida in Vancouver B.C. In 1942 Nancy’s family was placed in the Popoff internment camp near Slocan, B.C. In 1946 the family was deported back to war ravaged Japan. With little opportunity in Japan, Nancy (15) and her sister Thelma (13) returned to Canada to work the sugar beet fields surrounding Picture Butte, Alberta. It is here where she met and married Tak (Takeshi) Katakami.

Lethbridge was home to her for most of her life where she had many wonderful years with her husband Tak (passed in 1984).  Together they raised their son Tim and enjoyed spending time with her sister Thelma (late George) Saito and their son Jeff. 

Nancy got a lot of enjoyment out of singing Karaoke and Odori dancing at the Japanese festivals.  She was a 33-year employee at Safeway where she became well known and made many friends and acquaintances over the years.

Nancy was remarried to Dr. Kazuo Nakamura and spent 29 years together while enjoying travelling and time spent with their four grandchildren Steven, Kristin, Quintin and Ciara. 

She was predeceased by Kaz in January 2019. 

Nancy is survived by her son Tim Katakami (Cathie), her grandchildren Steven (Janie), Kristin (Derek) and three great grandchildren Koemi, Daevi and Kami. Also survived by her sister Thelma Saito, stepdaughters Lisa (Quintin) and Eriko (Ciara) Nakamura and sister Eiko Yakushi, brother Eikichi Nishida in Japan.

Nancy was also predeceased by her brother Eizo (Teruko) Nishida.

She will be fondly remembered by many including nieces, nephews and step grandchildren. 

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

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