Amy Teramoto

Amy Teramoto, lovingly known as Mrs. "T," passed away on June 25, 2025, at the age of 84, due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Born Amy Nakashima on June 14, 1941, in Chualar, California (Monterey County), she was the third of four children. At the age of one, her family was forced to flee California for Colorado due to World War II and Executive Order 9066. Thanks to the generosity of a kind Colorado family who allowed them to live on their property, the Nakashimas were able to avoid relocation to a Japanese internment camp.

After the war, her family returned to California and settled in Parlier (Fresno County), where Amy attended Locan Elementary and Parlier High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Education from San Francisco State University.

In 1966, just two days before her 25th birthday, Amy married her sweetheart, James (Jim) Teramoto. They made their home in San Jose, where they raised two daughters, Kim and Jennifer. Amy and Jim were happily married until his passing on May 28, 2009.

Amy's love for children and education led to a fulfilling career as an elementary school teacher that spanned over 35 years. Though she taught various grade levels, her heart belonged to Kindergarten. She left a lasting impression on hundreds of students and was affectionately known as "Mrs. T" by both children and adults. Even after retiring, she remained devoted to education-volunteering regularly in her grandchildren's classrooms and, more recently, helping in the classroom of her daughter Jenni, who followed in her footsteps as an elementary school teacher.

Outside of her dedication to teaching and family, Amy's passions included cheering on the Golden State Warriors, watching Korean dramas, reading romance novels (especially Danielle Steel), visiting casinos to play the penny slots, and sharing sweet treats-either homemade or store-bought-with those she loved.

Amy is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim Teramoto, and her parents, Tsuyoshi and Ayako Nakashima. She is survived by her daughters Kim Teramoto Lum and Jennifer Wong, her son-in-law Keith Wong, and her grandchildren Jalen Wong, Brennan Wong, and Jia Lum. She is also survived by her siblings Yoshio Nakashima, Lucy Nomura, and Jim Nakashima.

Amy's kindness, dedication, and joyful spirit will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 566 North 5th St., San Jose, CA 95112.