This site was created in memory of our loved one, Kyoko Yoshino Bourns. We will remember her forever.
Tributes
Leave a tributeYou are always in may hearts!!!
Miss you
Ana
Jung more or less says that if we don't experience great pain somewhere in our experiences that we will not know life. A life of only joy does not develop our depths as one of happiness and sorrow. There is a bigger picture than we mortals can see.
Blessings on Kyoko wherever she may be.
My dear Kyoko,
We miss you so much. Randi and I have had the pleasure of visits with Nate and the kids several times during the year in East Finchley and in St. Paul, MN. Randi was with them in Iceland and London while their dad attended to some work. Of course, we communicate frequently via SKYPE, etc.. They were here for Christmas last year and though it was somewhat subdued by your physical absence, Ethan and Kaya seemed to enjoy it all. They will be here again this Christmas. They are Christmas. The man you chose to be your loving husband has been a marvelous father to them. I know that he thinks of you all the time, and he works a labor of love in your memory. Your children are marvelous, and your husband is their escort in life. You remain - and shall always be - their guiding light.
Phil
Kyoko, your family in East Finchley is doing well. They suffer, of course, and think of you continuously - none more than Nate, I think. On the date that Easter fell this year was the one-year anniversary of their move to England from Mexico. Kyoko was very ill, but the family's move was a way for her to provide her children with continuing profitable exposure to the world. They were comfortable in Mexico and had learned so much, but Kyoko thought that they needed to learn and grow for a few years in Europe. To understand why she did not want to move her family to Japan or to the USA one needs to understand that Kyoko had a plan of helping build great children with as much exposure to life as she could imagine. She knew Japan; and Nate knew the USA.
Kaya and Ethan, and Nate go forward together and individually, and help each other willingly. It is beautiful. But, we do miss you.
Phil
I smile as I recall how Kyoko transitioned from one international capital, language and culture to another, from global environmental professional to mother, graciously, offering her carefully selected and deliciously prepared meals in your peaceful and loving and oh so neatly organized home (before and after the children were born the couch was still white!) to the friends and family from around the world who are all so blessed to have known such a special person. And I cry as I think that she won´t be there to give you a hug, smile, tell you it´s ok and what amazing people you are.
The smiles will remain as Kyoko´s courageous and calm, yet adventurous, spirit lives on in Ethan and Kaya, in Nate´s love, and in the hearts of all of us who have known her.
Un gran abrazo de nuestra familia a la suya, Robin, Nico y Adrián
Conocimos poco tiempo a su Esposa y Mama pero siempre fue con una sonrissa encantadora en verdad nos dolio mucho a toda la genereacion del Tomas Moro en Mexico y sepan que cuentan con todos en Mexico Un abrazo y mucha Luz
Vanessa Paco y Cecilia Camino
Jacob, Gabrielle and Meike
Kyoko was a beautiful person, inside and out. She was warm, compassionate, funny and focused on whomever was with spending time with her. We are glad you two found each other and had the time together that you did, although it is so painful to think about your loss and the loss for your children. we are grateful for knowing Kyoko, too, and we have you and your kids in our thoughts now, sending you as much love as we can across the oceans. Our hearts go out to you.
Much love from Amie, Renee, Benjamin & Nicholas
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. We, too, have many happy memories of the time we shared with you all here in DF. Kyoko was a lovely woman and such a great mom. You created a beautiful family together, and I know her spirit lives on in your adorable children. Kyoko's strength and positivity throughout her struggle is remarkable and inspirational. We feel lucky to have known her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jenn, Gil, Mateo and Olivia
She gave us a lasting memory of her generous spirit when she took Isabella for a day late August 2013 whilst we packed for our move back to the UK. The day was just for Ethan & Isabella to remember and enjoy as by now they had become the best of friends and we were sure they would miss each other. There was scooting round the Chapultepec lakes, a trip to the play area, waffles in El Lago restaurant, a trip to the cinema and more play back home with Kaya. Then if that wasn’t enough, later that evening a memento of the day dropped into our in-box. A beautiful movie with video and pictures of their day titled ‘Amigos para Siempre’ (friends forever). It was an expression of pure love. Kyoko knew how to love and we will hold her, together with Nate, Ethan and Kaya in our hearts forever.
We will miss you Kyoko.
Sam, Max and Isabella
きょうこさんとはyaxcheel Montessori幼稚園で出会い、子供達の成長を共に見てきました。きょうこさんの美しく優しい笑顔はいつまでも私達の心の中に生きています。
ご冥福を心よりお祈り申し上げます。
どうぞ安らかに・・・・
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Kyoko.
I met Kyoko Yaxcheel montessori in Mexico city,Ethan and Kaya are my son Ryunosuke's friends. Kyoko was a great mother ,beatiful lovely person it was my pleasure to have known her, it really was.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
May her soul rest in peace.
Un abrazo fuerte,
Yuri
She was the best friend in the true meaning of the word: she was kind and always there for you and yet was not afraid to give constructive feedback. I was too immature to fully appreciate her friendship at the time and we fell out of contact over the years. However, as the years went on, I often remembered our interactions, and realized how much she touched and changed me, at a very deep level. I thought she was blessed to have the life she wanted, with a beautiful family that she created with the person that she so dearly and passionately loved. But the truth is, I was the one who was blessed, along with everyone else who had a pleasure of receiving her friendship.
My prayers are with Nate, Ethan and Kaya.
Our thoughts and prayers for both Kyoko and Nate's families, and especially for Nate, Ethan and Kaya.
Jose and Alessandra
Kyoko será un ejemplo de fuerza, esperanza, lucha y sencillez. Sin duda una luz que guiará el camino de sus seres queridos.
Nate, Ethan y Kaya, decirles que comparto bien la pena y el desánimo que causa la ausencia de un ser amado, con quien quisiéramos seguir compartiendo físicamente momentos de felicidad y alegría, pero al mismo tiempo puedo confiarles que esa persona trasciende y se encuentra en nuestras vidas y memoria día a día, acción tras acción, haciéndonos mejores personas. No pierdan nunca la fe de que ella sigue con ustedes y los cuida, porque así será.
Contar conmigo y mi familia siempre.
Analilia
Leave a Tribute
Strawberries
This is Kyoko's favorite picture of her and her boy. She and Ethan (and me and Kaya) were really happy that Saturday picking Strawberries in the English countryside north of London. Taken just a few months before she passed away, I love this picture because it reminds me that Kyoko never let disease determine the arc of her story.
A picnic with mommy
These are the last pictures taken of Kyoko, from a year ago. Ethan had been invited to football with his friend Rafi and Kaya asked to go with her mother on a picnic. At that point, it was difficult for Kyoko to get out of bed and walk much. But Kaya wanted a picnic. It was cold and the leaves had fallen. It felt more like London winter than fall. I suggested an indoor picnic downstairs or maybe one in the garden. Kaya wanted a proper picnic.
Kyoko could identify with the combination of sweetness and strong will of this little lady. So she knew she needed to prepare for an outing. I made sandwiches and off we went to nearby Lyttleton Playing Fields.
I am so glad Kaya didn’t go for my lame ideas for an easy picnic. I loved watching the two of them. Kyoko marveled at her girl, and Kaya was proud to have taken her mommy out, as you can see in the pictures.
Kyoko knew how to enjoy life, how to stay present with her babies. She lives on in them.
Kaya in London
I just had the pleasure of spending a few relaxing days in London with Nate and Kyoko's two little babies, who are growing up so fast but so well. I know how proud Kyoko would be of what special and wonderful human beings they are. Kaya was practicing for her upcoming presentation at school about her Mom's work "combatting climate change" (typical kindergarden vocabulary! and yes, that sounds very cute in that adorable English accent of hers!) for the UN, and brought her passport and UN badge in as show and tell. Looking forward to the next time I get to see them.