Nobu Terasawa

Little Sister Nobu Terasawa was born March 24, 1932 in Honshu, Japan. She was the youngest of six children. Her family was Buddhist, but she went to the kindergarten of Catholic Sisters, where she met very kind and interesting people early in her life. During World War II, she and her family experienced the uncertainties of life. As she was physically weak, she needed to rest for many days.
In her early twenties, she received the gift of faith and she became Catholic. She wanted to be a nun. Almost everyone refused her desire, but she was strong and steadfast in her desire to follow Jesus.
She entered the Little Sister of Jesus in 1960. After her final commitment she was sent to Alaska, in 1971. She spent almost her entire life in Alaska: Nome, Diomede Island, Fairbanks and Anchorage. She loved the Native people and learned the subsistence skills from them. When people were asking her from which village she was from, she answered “I am Eskimo, made in Japan.” People really loved her answer.
She was a steadfast presence for her friends and a source of strength for her community. Her gentle presence touched the life of everyone.
She remained close to the Sisters in Japan and to her family. The last time that some of her relatives came to visit her was few years ago. Her niece Fuyuko was closest to her and some nephews. Her cousin, Fusako, 90-years-old, wanted to see her again before she passed away.
She often said how grateful she was to be at Pioneer Home, thanking every person around her.
We want to remember her in many ways and especially as “a gentle little carpenter” who build a legacy of warmth, hospitality and peace.