LaVerne Hisako Hamabata

LaVerne Hisako Hamabata

This is a tribute to my wife of 45 years, LaVerne Hisako Hamabata, my life partner. She was born May 13, 1941 in Lethbridge, AB and passed away on January 28, 2022.

She expressed her gratitude to those whose paths she crossed for making these "80 marvelous years". She loved all kinds of music, movement especially dance, nature and children.  LaVerne was fiercely loyal and defended her family against any criticism. She filled our home with love and compassion and our years together gave us many happy moments in Lethbridge and on our travels including a year in France. Together we worked on making our home a warm place to raise our family.

LaVerne was Administrative Assistant to the Plant Science Section at the Research Station for 23 years and then became a full-time mother and wife, much to the delight of her family. We want to thank the Bigelow Fowler staff, EMS paramedics, ER staff, the Home Care nurses, Palliative Care and MAID teams who cared for LaVerne in her final months battling cancer.  Thanks to Terry and Josh of the Nord-Bridge Medicine Shoppe for their patience and help with LaVerne's medicines. The care and friendship of dear friends made the final journey less arduous.

LaVerne is survived by her loving husband, David Major, son Ian (Raeni) and daughter Noriko Hessmann (Sean) and three much-loved grand-children, Aiko, Anouck and Cypris. The sun rose and set on her grand-children although she didn't see them as often as she would have liked. She is also survived by her siblings, Happy Smith, Nadine Hamabata, Duane Hamabata, Louise (Jim) Harrison, brother-in-law Joe Prins and Lindsay (Cindy) Hamabata and their children and by sisters-in-law Frances (Al) Paulisson, Elspeth (Peter) King, and Queade (Bruno) DiIlio and their children. LaVerne was predeceased by her parents, Kamasuke and Chiduka Hamabata, her dear sister Cheryl Prins, brother-in-law, Murray Smith, and by parents-in-law Helen and David Major Sr. 

She asked me to thank her dear friends, April and her family, Iris and Wes and family, and Marlene, for their deep and enduring friendship and support over the years. She treasured the times growing up and growing old with the members of the Coaldale and Honpa Buddhist Churches and the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta for their unfaltering friendship, humour and love. Special mention also to a mangy little kitten who showed up one day and then spent the rest of his life filling the hole left when our two kids went off to find their place in this world. My life partner spent her life living as a Bodhi Sattva, a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings. She knew that peace comes from within, do not seek it without.

At LaVerne's request, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of Koden or flowers, those who wish may make a donation to the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs Society or to the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 15, 2022 at the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta, 470 40 St South, Lethbridge AB. 

Please click here for details about RSVP.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LaVerne Hisako Hamabata, please visit our floral store.