Murakami, Rose (Takako) 1937-

See also Evelyn Mallory’s biographical file.

Although born on Salt Spring Island BC,  in 1942, Rose and her family were interned as Japanese nationals during World War II, and removed to New Denver in BC’s West Kootenays and later to Alberta . In 1954, the family returned to Salt Spring where they faced continuing racism. However, the family survived and established a successful market business, growing vegetables and berries.  Rose graduated from VGH School of Nursing in 1959 and obtained a BSN from UBC and   Masters’ of Science degrees from McGill University and Boston University. She had a long career at the UBC School of Nursing as an Associate Professor, where she was a highly respected and a successful career as Vice President of Nursing at UBC Health Sciences Centre. In 1994, she became RNABC’s first Consumer Relations Representative.  On retirement, Rose returned to Salt Spring.

In 2006 fire destroyed their home, with the loss of many irreplaceable photographs and memorabilia.  In 2009 they donated a half acre of their land on Salt Spring Island, valued at $1.2 million, to build the 27-unit Murakami Gardens, Salt Springs’ first affordable housing project.  Shortly after, she and her brother had the privilege of meeting with Japan’s Emperor Akhito and Empress Michiko during their historic visit to BC.

Contents of Biographical File

  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Transcription of oral history interview, November 18, 1993.
  3. “Nurses’ Association Appoints Consumer Relations Representative”, RNABC, February 18, 1994.
  4. University hospital memo, January 15, 1993.
  5. “Rose Murakami: Making a Difference”, RNABC RepsNews, March-April 1995, pp. 1-2.
  6. Rose Murakami article published in HoH Society News, October 2009.
  7. Katherine Dedyna, “Royal Rapport”, Victoria Times-Colonist, July 12, 2009.
  8. Lena Sin, “Royal Audience in Victoria Threatened by Sudden Illness,” The Province July 9, 2009, p. A6.
  9. Natalie North, “Duo Has a Brush with Royalty”, Gulf Islands Driftwood, July 15, 2009, pp. A1, A2.
  10. Articles related to Rose Murakami and her family, including destruction of their house by fire, creation of a Japanese garden, building of a low income housing project, and their internment during World War II
  11. Rose Murakami. Ganbaru: the Murakami Family on Salt Spring Island. The Japanese Garden Society of Salt Spring Island. 2005.
  12. John Edo Greenway. Kimiko Murakami: A Picture of Strength. Salt Spring Today,2005, 3-5.
  13. Brennan Clarke. Saltspring siblings give the gift of homes. The Globe and                          Mail. Mar.17, 2009.
  14. Photograph