Teru

Teru (Emura) Farrens, known to her friends as “Teruko,” died peacefully at home in Imperial Beach, California, on February 10, 2026, at the age of 81. Teru was born in May 1944 in the mountain village of Yamazaki, Niigata Prefecture, Japan—home of the prized Uonuma Koshihikari rice. The youngest daughter and seventh of eight children born to Yoshio Emura and Onoe Suzuki, she graduated high school in 1962 and soon moved to Kanagawa Prefecture. There she met Eldon Farrens, a young U.S. Navy sailor. They married through the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo in April 1967. While Eldon was deployed, Teru worked at the Chief’s Club, awaiting his return. The couple later moved to Alameda, California, for a short time before settling in San Diego. In Chula Vista, their first child, Forrest, was born just before Eldon deployed to Vietnam. During his absence, Teru—pregnant with their second child, James—navigated raising a family in an English-speaking world. When Eldon returned, they purchased their only home in Imperial Beach, where their daughter Sylvia soon joined the family. As a mother of three, Teru became a gifted cook, crafter, and seamstress, sewing many of her children’s outfits. She generously shared these talents with friends, who often visited for Japanese conversations and her always-warm meals. Teru was a dedicated member of the Japanese-American VFW and frequently volunteered to welcome Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force training ships visiting San Diego. She loved to travel: multiple trips to Japan, Machu Picchu (including a flight over the Nazca Lines), the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Terracotta Warriors in China, Baja California, an Alaska cruise, Hawaii, the U.S. East Coast (including South Carolina and Florida), and a memorable cross-country MINI Cooper drive with James to a Farrens family reunion, visiting relatives in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. In her later years, as dementia progressed, the family ensured she enjoyed Disney magic—on a cruise, at all four Walt Disney World parks, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, and both Anaheim parks. Disney held a special place for her and her family. Teru is remembered by her children as an engaged, encouraging mother who supported their dreams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon Farrens; brothers Masao, Masatoshi, Haruo, and Toshio Emura; and sister Katsuyo Emura. Teru is survived by her children Forrest, James & Angelina, and Sylvia & Jeff; stepdaughter Janette Farrens-Seymour & Henry; brothers Tatsuo Emura and Yoshimatsu Emura (Japan); grandchildren Silas, David, Sarah & Sam, Julia & Brian, Alex & Colleen, Victoria & Elda/Jake, Kristina & LJ, Brittiany; and over a dozen great-grandchildren. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Glenner Center, Lightbridge Hospice Care, and Aaron Home Care—especially caregiver Helen—for their compassionate support during her final days. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of these foundations: LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation https://lbhcf.org/gifts-of-gratitude/ George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers https://glenner.org/donate/ Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on 21 February 2026, 12PM at the George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Center 2765 Main Street | Suite A Chula Vista, CA 91911 https://fb.me/34CARoy4nRUcN7J

Teru

May 5, 1944 - February 10, 2026