Seika Matsushita Terry
Seika Matsushita Terry, born July 04, 1933, went to her heavenly rest on November 04, 2023.
Seika was born in Kanazawa, Japan, a city renowned for its impeccable geisha and samurai districts, surrounded by iconic gardens. In Kanazawa, Seika studied and mastered the art of couture dressmaking, and her love of nature and passion for gardening began.
Shortly after arriving in the U.S. from Japan, Seika became a naturalized American citizen. She embraced all that was her new American life without ever losing her Japanese identity. Her couturier skills were used to create beautiful clothing for her children. They sometimes complained of the originally designed, exquisitely stitched garments and knitted bloomers their mother had made for them, but that never deterred her. She was creative and expressed her exceptional talent in all she set out to do.
Seika met her beloved husband, Bob Terry, in Texas, and they married in 1977. Bob was an engineer working for the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO). Soon after they married, they moved to Saudi Arabia, where they remained for 11 years until Bob retired. Living in Saudi Arabia allowed them the opportunity to enjoy a life of international travel.
Seika shared her love of gardening by creating beautiful outdoor spaces everywhere she lived. In Saudi Arabia, her garden flourished despite the sandy soil and arid climate. Her Florida landscape was filled with exotic flower beds, lush tropical plants, and fruit-bearing trees surrounding a traditional Koi Pond, a nod to her Japanese heritage.
Seika lived life with grace and enthusiasm. She loved music and entertaining, playing cards and board games, and creating beautiful things with her family and friends. Her artistic spirit has been passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Seika was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a loyal friend to all. She will be missed by countless friends and family across the country and the world.
Seika was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bob, who ascended into heaven on July 24, 2022.
She is survived by her children, Mark Rohrberger and his wife Ginger, Ann Rohrberger Connelly and her husband Paul, Colleen Rohrberger Scully, Kenneth Terry and his wife Liz, Michael Terry, Keith Terry and his wife Jetti, Mark Terry and his wife Dana; her grandchildren, Adrienne Connelly Adams and her husband Jordan, Michael Connelly and his wife Lily, Taylor Scully Babcock, Annabelle Scully Bowlin and her husband Parker, Brandon Chestnut and his wife Krista, Ryan Rohrberger, Crystal Terry, Tiara Smith, Amber Terry, Marisa Terry, Sophia Terry; her great-grandchildren, Cameron Chestnut, Madison Chestnut, Michael Ellis Rohrberger, Kennedy Rohrberger, Lincoln Rohrberger, Jayson Robert Babcock, Olivia Grace Babcock, Wesley Owen Babcock, Ellis Paul Adams, Jayce Smith, Katie Smith, Caleb Smith, Hailey Smith, Braden Smith, Owen Muller.
Siblings that survive her include her sister, Kaye Kaoru Wells, of Baton Rouge; sister, Ikuko Hirayamaof Japan; brother, Kenshi Matsushita, and his wife, Akiko, of Japan. A special thanks from the family to Taylor Thompson Stewart for her loving care of Seika during the final phase of her life journey. Taylor holds a special place within our hearts.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 16th, at Ann Connelly Fine Art, 1670 Lobdell Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A reception in celebration of Seika’s beautiful life will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Baton Rouge.
Riemann Family Funeral Home in Gulfport, Mississippi, is serving the family.