COLUMBUS
Teruyo “Terry” Kusachi passed away at home on Sunday, June 6, 2021, with her husband and daughter by her side.
Terry was born on December 4, 1943 in Tokyo, Japan. She moved to the United States in her early twenties and attended college in New York. She met her husband, Kuniyuki “Kuni” Kusachi, in the 1970s and the couple moved to Indiana with their daughter, Jennifer Kusachi.
Terry enjoyed a distinguished career of nearly 20 years at TDK Corporation of America. In 1999 she won the prestigious Presidential Award in recognition of her hard work.
Terry and Kuni, an accomplished chef of Japanese cuisine, opened New Japan restaurant in Columbus, Indiana in 1997. Along with their daughter, the couple introduced countless area residents and visitors to traditional Japanese food and culture. The restaurant thrived until the couple’s retirement in 2014.
Terry had a passion for gardening and also enjoyed creating pottery, playing piano and collecting art.
A devoted wife and mother, Terry built many friendships with colleagues at TDK and New Japan as well as customers of the restaurant. She took pride in promoting and celebrating Japanese culture.
Terry is survived by her husband along with her daughter who lives in Chicago with fiance, Andrew Peck.
In lieu of flowers, the Kusachis ask for donations to Columbus-based Just Friends Adult Day Services, a resource and provider of home and community-based services for aging adults with disabilities and special needs.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
