Mrs. Teruko Okuda - Passed away on July 31, 2020

In loving memory of
Mrs. Teruko Okuda
  • Passed away on July 31, 2020

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Obituary

Teruko Okuda, 78, loving wife of Yori Okuda of The Villages, Florida passed away of pancreatic cancer on July 31st, 2020. Teruko was born on December 9th, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan, to Michio Murayama, long time Governor then Senator from Yamagata Prefecture, and his wife Hide Murayama. She was the last of seven children.

Teruko met Yori Okuda in 1967 and they were married in May 1969 at Boston’s Harvard Memorial Chapel when Yori graduated from Harvard Business School. Teruko and Yori moved to Alexandria, Virginia in 1977 from Tokyo, and became a US Citizen in 2008. She is survived by her husband and son, Dr. Haru Okuda, and his wife Hemie and twin granddaughters, Yumi and Miya.

In 1982, at the age of 40, Teruko stepped into the art world working at Fisher Art Gallery in Washington, D.C. Her expertise was facilitating art deals with Japanese corporations for their corporate headquarters and residences. In addition to this work, she also aided the White House in conducting appraisals of gifts that were given from foreign dignitaries across multiple US Presidencies, including President Bush. In 1987, Teruko left Fisher Art Gallery to become an independent art consultant, specializing in contemporary art. She successfully organized shows for many American artists in Japan, working with major Japanese Department stores and Corporations. The culmination of her career led to the opening of her own gallery in Georgetown, DC.

“In an increasingly borderless world, different ideas, even opposing ones, will continue to fuse with one another or seek coexistence”. For Teruko, the gallery has been an American Dream come true. “I can find peace of mind in the art dealing business more than any other way,” Okuda says. – Japan Times

Teruko retired from the art business a year after 9/11. During her retirement, she helped evolve the Japanese Americans’ Care Fund, a non-profit supporting Japanese American’s with language barriers and other challenges, where she served as President. In recognition of her work, she received the ‘Foreign Ministry Award’.

Following her son’s move to Winter Park, Florida, Teruko and Yori moved to Pennecamp, The Villages, Florida, in 2011. With her move, Teruko was able to spend time with her twin granddaughters and family and had the opportunity to watch them grow up. She also enjoyed traveling, ballroom dancing, golf, bridge and Super Samba with her friends, the Fishbowl Card Shark ladies.


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  1. Richard Dagrosa says:
    09 Aug 2020
    I will be eternally grateful to Teruko and Yori for welcoming me and my son Rick into their family life when Terry, my late wife, was dying. Teruko was very kind and generous person who acted as a surrogate mom to Rick. Rick’s trip with Haru to Japan was generously hosted by Teruko and Yori’s families; the trip of a lifetime that allowed Rick to experience the Japanese culture on a very personal level. Not only did Teruko create a very comfortable home environment but she and Yori were very supportive of the academic achievements of both Rick and Haru. God chooses circumstances that challenge us to embrace others in their time of need. Teruko did so naturally and her nurturing presence is in our lives forever. Our deepest condolences to Yori and Haru and his family as they grieve the loss of Teruko. My email is richdagrosa@gmail.com

  2. Richard Dagrosa lit a candle:
    09 Aug 2020
    Lit since August 9, 2020 at 8:24:59 PM

  3. Dr Luis Llerena and June Llerena says:
    04 Aug 2020
    Deepest Sympathy

  4. Ralph and Zelma Harms says:
    01 Aug 2020
    We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Tureko was a very special person and we will remember her fondly as a lovely person we greatly admired. We look back to the great times we had on the golf course, at Tantallon and in Old Town and visiting with you in Florida. You and your family are in our prayers. Ralph and Zelma Harms

  5. Walter & Melodie Whitehead says:
    31 Jul 2020
    It is with prayers and the help of our savior that we send our condolences in the the lost of Teruko. We were neighbors in the Villages, and enjoyed our conversations when we were there. Teruko was always so kind to my wife and myself, as is Yori. May the Lord bless the entire family and give them comfort during this time . Rest In Peace.

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