On Sunday, July 6th, 2025, a beautiful baby girl, Olive Tomoko, came into the world. That same day, her mother—Dr. Tomoko Arimura—died following a sudden and critical medical emergency that led to Olive’s early birth.

Tomoko died before she could hold her daughter, before Saad could say goodbye. Despite the heroic efforts of her husband, emergency responders, and a fully aligned medical team, she was gone in an instant.

Tomoko was a brilliant, soulful woman. A beloved wife, daughter, sister, friend, and a deeply compassionate Clinical Psychologist. She dedicated her life to helping children and families navigate trauma, adversity, and healing. She co-founded a practice grounded in safety, trust, and connection—and she lived those values every day. Her presence had weight. Her eyes could pour a universe of loving-kindness into you.

She and Saad had tried for years to have a baby. Olive is the result of perseverance, science, love, and hope. And now Saad is learning to parent alone, while grieving the woman he built a life with.

“Now I’m figuring out what life looks like as a solo father to a happy and beautiful newborn while carrying this immense grief. My heart is full of joy while aching in pain over losing Tomoko. We will live on. We will find peace at the intersection of birth and death, and in the harmony of extremes—grief and happiness.”

-Saad

Funds raised will go directly toward:

Tomoko’s family—including her husband Saad, baby Olive, mother Kyoko, father Hayson, and siblings Naoto and Eriko—are grieving deeply. Saad’s siblings—Adel, Farida, Farid, Samira, and Samir—have been a constant source of love and strength.

Two celebrations of life are being planned to honour Tomoko and allow those who loved her to gather, grieve, and remember:

Details for these gatherings will be shared closer to their dates. For now, we invite you to hold space with us for both grief and love.

Tomoko valued community. This fundraiser is a reflection of that spirit; a way for those who knew her, or who are simply moved by her story, to show up with compassion and care.

Thank you for holding both sorrow and joy with us; for the devastating loss of Tomoko, and the safe arrival of baby Olive.

With love and gratitude,

Joshuelle Solomon

Organizer, Doula, and Yoga Instructor