Obituary of Toshiko Teraji

Toshiko (Beth) Teraji, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, at the age of 95—having lived a long, full life filled with love, laughter, and more vacuuming than most of us could dream of.

Born on March 18, 1930, in Chandler, Arizona, to Genchiki and Tomi Matsuyoshi, Toshiko grew up on a farm with her many siblings. She preferred housework over fieldwork—and proudly kept things spotless from a young age.

She met the love of her life, Shoji Teraji, at a Valentine’s Day dance, thanks to a persistent older brother who finally got his matchmaking wish. They married in 1953, built a beautiful life in Phoenix, and raised a family while Toshiko worked as a cashier at Bashas’ grocery store. After retirement in Albuquerque and Shoji’s passing in 2008, she moved to New Jersey to be near her daughter and grandsons—who quickly discovered that Grandma had high standards, especially for beds and laundry.

Toshiko had an extraordinary talent for transforming a house into a warm and welcoming home. She took pride in the details: a freshly vacuumed carpet, neatly folded laundry, and a dust-free surface (which was more of a mandate than a preference). She found joy in everyday routines and made even the most ordinary tasks feel like acts of care. She also knew when to set down the duster—especially for things she loved most: making root beer floats for her grandsons, cheering on the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, listening to classic country and western music, fishing trips with her son, going to Marie Callendar with her daughter,  shopping days with her sister and niece,  and playing the slots with her sisters and brothers-in-law.

She is reunited in peace with her husband of 55 years, Shoji, and her siblings Matsuye, Genchi, Keisuke, Haruye, and Masao. . She is survived by her devoted son Craig and his wife Lisa; her loving daughter Cheryl Hascup and her husband John; her adored grandsons Broderick and Hunter; her sister, Shigeno Hasegawa; and many nieces and nephews who will forever cherish her kindness, strength, and her ability to fold a fitted sheet like a magician.

A service will be held in Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Toshiko’s life was defined by love, care, and quiet devotion to those around her. Her warmth lives on in every shared memory, and in every act of kindness inspired by her gentle spirit. She may be gone, but heaven just got a whole lot cleaner—and a lot more loving.