Teruko Gutierrez

Teruko Oikawa Gutierrez, a resident of The Kingston, Santa Fe, New Mexico passed away peacefully on April 17, 2022 surrounded by her family.

Affectionately known as “Mom”, Miss Kay, Keiko, or Teru-chan, Teruko was born on February 20, 1930 in Ishinomaki, Japan to Junko Oikawa and Kimiko Takahashi Oikawa. During her childhood in war- ravaged Japan, Teruko was known for her academic skills and her wide circle of friends. As the oldest child, after losing her father at the age of 7, Teruko exhibited ingenuity, determination, and creativity in helping her widowed mother feed and care for her younger sisters as the war raged on. Throughout her life, her family and many friends and neighbors were to be the recipients of her cooking skills. After school snacks always included homemade cakes, cookies, and chips while every meal was made from scratch and the aroma of fresh made tortillas often filled the house.

Coming to America in 1951 as a war bride of Frank Gutierrez, Teruko settled in El Paso, Texas, where she made her home for nearly 60 years. Whether it was camping with her growing brood or attending the symphony, Teruko always exuded a sense of style with her dark glasses and ruby red lipstick.

Teruko and Frank eventually moved to Santa Fe in2017, where Teruko embraced a new life at the Kingston. “I’m not done learning yet!” was her motto as she created a new, wide circle of friends and neighbors.

Teruko was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Noriko and Mihoko. In 2000, her beloved son Michael died and in 2018 Frank, her husband of 70 years passed away. She is survived by her remaining children; sons Roberto (Gay Nell) Gutierrez and David ( Lori) Gutierrez and daughters Cynthia ( Steve Reed) Gutierrez-Anderson and Mary Dolman,  six grandchildren: Rebecca Kay ( Kevin) Thompson, Jason ( Jodie) Gutierrez, Tyler Gutierrez, Mark Gutierrez, Sara Oliver and David Oliver and three very special great grandchildren Korbyn, Zoey, and Grayson Gutierrez.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rivera Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be held at Rivera Funeral home, 417 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, on June 1, 2022 at 6pm. Burial service at the Santa Fe National Cemetery Committal Shelter on June 2, 2022 at 10:30 am.

Teruko never stopped learning……never stopped moving…..never stopped making friends. Her vivacious spirit and incredible strength will be dearly missed.