Shirley Sachiko Witherow

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Shirley Witherow, in the early morning of August 26, 2025.

Shirley was born Sachiko Tsujimura on December 15, 1939, in Vancouver, BC, to Seizaburo and Takako (Kamiya), and was the beloved youngest sibling of Marge (Etsuko), Joe (Kiyotaka), Kay (Kazuko), and Margaret (Masako). Along with her family, she endured the hardships of internment during the war—a chapter that deeply shaped her quiet strength and lifelong commitment to community. She remained a proud member of Nikkei Place in Burnaby, where her roots and resilience were honored.

Shirley was a loving and devoted mother to Carole (Jason Cooledge) and Paul (Josee Witherow), whose lives are a testament to her strength, compassion, and unwavering support. Her spirit lives on in her grandchildren—Emily, Chloe (Victor Cano), Faye, Cas, and Cameron—each of whom was fortunate to know her well into their adulthood. Their memories with her will be treasured always.

Shirley lived her life with thoughtfulness, grace, and gentle humor. She shared her warmth freely with others, whether through quiet conversations, acts of care, or her deeply rooted friendships. She had a lifelong love of books, nurtured through her many years at the New Westminster Public Library, where colleagues became lifelong friends.

A lifelong learner and creative soul, Shirley pursued her passion for art well into her later years, delighting in the creative process and finding joy in small, beautiful details.

Her life was rich in love, laughter, and resilience. With her family and friends, she built a home filled with stories, kindness, and daily moments of joy. Even in the face of health challenges, Shirley met each day with quiet determination and a welcoming smile.

Shirley will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in every act of kindness, in every shared memory, and in the stories lovingly passed from one generation to the next.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 30th, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Royal City Curling Club, 75 E Sixth Ave, New Westminster, BC V3L 4G6. There will be no formal service—please join us in sharing memories and celebrating Shirley’s life.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy, to consider making a donation in Shirley’s name to Crossroads Hospice https://www.crossroadshospice.org/donate-online

Or, BC Cancer Foundation https://bccancerfoundation.com/why-give/go-beyond-belief/?s_src=Evergreen2024&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22786058090&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_L_FBhDmARIsAItqgt4msdoWeyXUFtsywJtIcJCovE9eSUo5FTkX5LTHS_PgyvFf169r2VIaAinHEALw_wcB