OBITUARY: Joyce Mitsuko Terao

Joyce Mitsuko Terao

Dec. 9, 1919 – Apr. 5, 2022

TERAO, JOYCE MITSUKO passed away peacefully at her home in Alameda, CA, on April 5, 2022. She was 102 years old.

Joyce was born in Stockton, CA, to Kinzo and Misue Tateyama on Dec. 9, 1919. At the age of 12, she was sent to Kumamoto, Japan, to attend school, and returned to the U.S. after graduation and attended business school. In 1940, she married Rev. Eiyu Terao, who was the minister at the Oakland Buddhist Church. They moved to Seattle, WA, where Rev. Terao was assigned to the Seattle Buddhist Temple Betsuin and where their daughter, Reiko was born. During WWII, the family was incarcerated at the Minidoka Concentration Camp in Hunt, Idaho, where their daughter, Karen was born. After their release from camp in 1945, the Terao family moved to Spokane, WA. There, they established the Spokane Buddhist Temple. In Spokane, their son, Dennis and daughter, Lenni were born. After 16 years in Spokane, the family moved to Alameda, CA, where Rev. Terao was assigned to the Buddhist Temple of Alameda. While Joyce continued to be a dedicated minister’s wife and mother, she began working at the Alameda Post Office where she worked for 20 years. After both her husband’s and her retirement, they enjoyed many years of travel to Japan, Europe, and many parts of the U.S. After her husband’s passing, she remained active in the Temple, community activities, and continued to travel.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, grandson, Kirk Akahoshi, sister Umeko Tateyama, and brothers Isamu and Noboru Tateyama. She is survived by her sister, Yoneko Yamauchi; her children, Reiko Murakami (Ray), Karen Akahoshi (Kenji), Dennis Terao, and Lenni Terao-Doerr (Doug); her grandchildren, Kari Murakami, Garrett Akahoshi (Annie Grella), and granddaughter-in-law, Jacki Hull; great grandsons, Cory and Jake Akahoshi, and many nieces and nephews.

Joyce lived a life of gratitude and was loved by all who met her. She will be remembered for her warm smile, generosity of spirit, and compassion for all. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 2PM, at the Buddhist Temple of Alameda, 2325 Pacific Avenue, Alameda, CA. Attendees are required to be fully vaccinated, boosted and masked. The Temple will also be live streaming the service on their YouTube channel: Buddhist Temple of Alameda at 2PM on Saturday, May 7th.