SAKURA
My friend Sakurako Handa passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2005. Sakura was an avid member of the forums here so the loss and grief was not only personal to me but shared by many members of this community. Anyone who has met her will tell you without hesitation that Sakura was a special human-being who openly and heartedly supported and encouraged those around her. On top of that she was super mega smart, bright, independant, cool, and a genuinely lovely person... and she grew some killer tomatoes. I miss her, and I miss what could have been.
This summer, several forum members collectively raised enough money to have a Linden tree planted in her memory on Toronto Island. The tree will be there for a very long time -- a living tribute that will grow, flower, and provide a habitat for island birds and wildlife. Please feel free to visit the tree -- it's there for all of us as a place we can go to remember Sakura.
-Gayla
Directions to Tree
Sakura's tree is planted on Ward's Island. Catch the ferry to Ward's from the Toronto Ferry Docks (at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay). See the Ferry schedule & a map of Toronto Island here.
Walk west from the ferry dock at Ward's and along the main road (leads to Centre Island) until you reach "Sunfish Cut" (between Algonquin and Snake Islands). You will see two benches facing a beautiful view of the Toronto skyline. You will see a plaque with Sakura's name on the furthest bench. The tree is planted directly behind it.
Photos and Links
- Original Discussion
- TMLFans Tribute
- Tree Dedication and Plaque Installation (Photos by Gayla)
- Tree Dedication (Photos by Davin Risk)
- The Phonecall That Never Comes by Joel Davis
- The Chair Fulfilled by Gregory Fallis
- Sakura's Photos on Flickr
- Last Weekend Takuma Handa
