Eiko Ariza

Eiko Ariza (née Nishimura) August 16, 1933 - April 11, 2023 Eiko was a remarkable and resilient woman. Born in 1933 in Vancouver, British Columbia to Misao Nishimura (née Mori) and Kiheiji Nishimura, she poured a lot of love and care into her three younger siblings from an early age. She devoted much of her life to the care of others, while also leaving room in her heart for the finer things in life. Eiko relocated to Niagara-on-the-lake with her family after World War Two. She worked as an au pair to neighboring families from the age of fourteen. At the age of 25, she married San Ariza and moved to Toronto. In 1968, her only daughter, Rana, was born, her pride and joy. She worked in many places, but achieved local notoriety running her retail fragrance counter, where she delighted her peers and customers with her fashion sense. Eiko was able to travel during her working years and retirement. She made her fondest traveling memories while in Japan in 1985 with the United Church, and in Hawai’i in 2008 with her niece, Teresa, and granddaughter, Sarah. She devotedly cared for her husband, San, for ten years while his Alzheimer’s disease worsened. To cope with his passing, Eiko enjoyed trips to local casinos, shopping with her friends and family, watching the Shopping Channel, and preparing and hosting delicious holiday dinners where family and friends would visit from far and wide. Her most anticipated dinner of each year was a traditional Japanese feast on New Year’s day. Eiko lived independently in her apartment, and there seemed to be no sign of slowing down. In March 2023, she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. She stayed in high spirits in spite of her diagnosis, and remained strong until she passed away peacefully in her sleep with her brother, Fred, holding her hand. She is predeceased by her husband San, brother Archie, sister Lynda, and survived by her daughter Rana (Stéphane), granddaughter Sarah, brother Fred, sister-in-law Judy, brother-in-law Tony; nieces: Teresa (Huy), Kim (Jeff), Lisa; and nephews: Richard (Melissa), Mike (May), Paul (Mara), and Bud. Eiko had many great nieces and nephews and extended family who she also treasured dearly. Her surviving family would like to thank the staff of North York General hospital for the care they provided to Eiko, with special thanks to the Palliative care team and hard working nurses and PSWs. There will be a celebration of life for friends and family in the weeks to come, with details to follow.