Obituary of Tetsuko M. Nechleba

On Thursday, October 6th, 2022, Tetsuko Masuda Nechleba, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 95 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Born in Chigasaki, Japan she was predeceased by her husband Jiri A. Nechleba. Tetsuko left her native Japan for her adopted home in the United States in 1956. She settled first in Barstow, CA but soon thereafter made a near lifelong home in Endicott, NY, where she and her husband raised their two sons. A devoted mother, Tetsuko was also a master seamstress, having graduated from Bunka Gakuin, the precursor to Bunka Fashion College, one of the top 10 fashion colleges in the world. She once said her favorite color of clothing was peach, because of its simple elegance and flexibility in style. Indeed, she was both simply elegant and flexible in her own life, making it look easy coming to a foreign country and raising a beautiful family, all with an unfailing warmth. She had a passion for gardening and was also an exceptional cook. “Itadakimasu”, a Japanese blessing given at the start of every meal, was always eagerly awaited in her kitchen. As the twilight years of her life approached, Tetsuko made the move to Erie, PA where she assumed a significant role in the lives of her three deeply treasured grandchildren. Not only did she pass down a love for making sushi, curry, and dumplings, but also a wisdom of quiet grace, sincere gratitude, and disciplined patience in the face of life’s labors. Throughout her time, Tetsuko was the embodiment of kindness, compassion, and graciousness, qualities which touched everyone who knew her. Her transcendent spirit, as beautiful as any cherry blossom, now breathes the eternal wind. She is survived by two sons, Jiri (Janice) Nechleba of Devon, PA and Dr. Jeffrey (Denise) Nechleba of Erie, PA, and three grandchildren, Alexandra Nechleba (Garrett) Gingenbach of Fairview, PA, Jeffrey Nechleba of Pittsburgh, PA, Joseph Nechleba of Boston, MA, and their mother, Mary Federowicz of Erie, PA, as well as her two sisters Ritsuko Masuda and Etsuko Masuda both of Chigasaki, Japan. Tetsuko is also survived by brothers-in-law Otto (Sally) Nechleba of Endicott, NY and Stephen (Suzanne) Heyda of Hardeeville, SC, sister-in-law Georgianna Heyda of New York, NY and numerous nieces and nephews. Also survived by Denise's children, Ryan Knoll, Aaron (Romina) Knoll, and Natalie (Spencer) Brown. Always in our thoughts, Forever in our hearts. There will be a celebration of life service on Saturday October 22nd at the Kampai restaurant in Vestal, NY at noon. Arrangements are under the care of the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. Erie, PA 16506. In lieu of any flowers, we ask that people consider donating to unicefusa.org, to support children in need.