Obituary of Mrs. Norma Cheng

Norma Masaye Cheng Obituary

Norma Masaye Cheng (nee Akada) of Scarborough, 89, was born January 2^nd, 1932 in New Westminster, BC, and passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 3^rd, 2021 at Scarborough Grace Hospital. 

She is survived by her children, Mark Cheng (Mimi), Norman Cheng (Charlene), grandchildren – Derek, Jessica, Mikaela, and great grandchild Oliver.

She is also survived by sister Marge Suyama, sister-in-law Kay Akada and brother-in-law Shigeo (George) Shigeishi, and numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by husband Percy Cheng, father Sadajiro Akada, mother Saki Iwasa, sisters Jean Hatanaka, Kay Kiyonaga, Betty Murakami, Sally Shigeishi, and brother Shigeru Akada. (Note: A baby brother Minoru Akada was born June 19 and died June 29^th,1930).

In 1941, Norma went to Kaslo British Columbia Internment Camp when she was 9. In Kalso she liked hiking, going to the beach, and this is where Norma developed her love for swimming.

Norma and her family moved from Kaslo to Toronto in 1948, where she met and eventually married Percy Cheng in 1954. They moved to Scarborough where she worked at O’Connor Bowl Restaurant with her sisters and then in retail for many years at Irene Hill, Scarborough Town Centre. Norma loved big band music and was a stylish dresser. She was also an accomplished hula dancer and loved performing at events. One of her favourite past times was playing card games, especially Euchre, with the Ladies of Stonehenge Crescent or at the Japanese Cultural Centre with the Wynford Seniors. Norma will be remembered most for her beautiful smile, how she made people laugh with her story telling, and her kind words of love and encouragement to others.

A private family Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 20^th at 4 pm. This service will be Live Streamed and available through the Ogden Funeral Homes website at www.ogdenfuneralhome.com. Online tributes can also be made to Norma on their website. A graveside internment service will be held at a later date yet to be determined.

The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughtfulness and prayers. A special thank you to the staff at Scarborough Grace Hospital, their Spiritual Care Department, and to the Spiritual Practitioner Rev. Marc De Leon for all the great care and support Norma received.

In lieu of memorial or Japanese Koden gifts, please make a donation to SHN Foundation, 3030 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON, M1W 3W3 (NOTE: In the memo line of your cheque please write Spiritual Care); or make a donation to any Charity of your Choice in memory of Norma Cheng.