Teru Nakata Kiyohara

Teru Kiyohara, 93, passed away peacefully at her Seattle home on November 20, 2015.   Born in Seattle on May 31, 1922, Teru pursued her B.S. degree at Rockford College in Illinois and post-graduate studies at Western Michigan University. She also attended the Univ. of Wash. before WWII broke out and she was interned at Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho. Teru was the first Japanese American to be hired by Seattle Public Schools as an Occupational Therapist for the Special Education Department.  After retiring in 1985, Teru enjoyed traveling with her husband, Edward, going to plays, symphonies, and art museums, and spending time with her family and friends. Her caring and compassionate heart made her a regular visitor to friends and family in nursing homes and hospitals. Fiercely independent, she was still driving up until a month before she passed.  Teru is survived by three sons, Dean (Trisha), David (Margaret), and Bob (Sharon) Kiyohara along with 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  Teru is also survived by sister, Chiyo Horiuchi, and many nieces and nephews. At her request, a private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation (M/S S-200, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, 98145), Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (1414 S. Weller St., Seattle, 98144), or Densho, The Japanese American Legacy Project (c/o Tom Ikeda, Executive Director, 1416 S. Jackson St., Seattle, 98144.)