Etsuko Tsurukawa

We are deeply saddened to share that our mother, Etsuko Tsurukawa (Taniguchi) has passed away peacefully in her home in San Francisco, CA on March 8, 2024. Etsuko was born on June 10, 1958 in San Francisco, CA to parents Hirofumi and Sadako Taniguchi. She was a very proud member in the ROTC at Galileo High School, graduated in 1976, and later worked at the San Francisco VA Hospital for many years. She was an active member of the Church of Perfect Liberty (PL Church), training to become a "Hokyoshi", participating in youth outreach, and was an incredibly supportive and bright member of the community. She met her husband Takehiko through a mutual friend at PL Church, and they were happily married on September 13, 1981. Together they had three children, Megumi, Keith, and Miyuki, and later adopted many dogs (Jiro, Kuma, Gohan, Baloo, Kojiro, Musashi, Nanako) - of course not all at the same time, although she probably would have if able.

She will always be remembered for her big smile and warm, loving personality. She was a strong advocate for children with disabilities, and was always proactive in her youngest daughter, Miyuki's education. Her social media was overfilled with pictures of her most cherished things in life, her family and dogs...LOTS OF DOGS, especially Golden Retrievers. She enjoyed watching marathon sessions of TV shows like Castle, 911, Rookie, and Law and Order SVU with her husband, while cuddling with her furry cat "grandsons" Bobby or Wally on the couch.

She is survived by Takehiko Tsurukawa (husband), Megumi Tsurukawa (eldest daughter), Keith Tsurukawa (son), Miyuki Tsurukawa (youngest daughter), Sachiko Maekawa (sister), Atsushi Maekawa (nephew), Joji Maekawa (nephew), and May Maekawa (niece).

If you would like to send flowers or condolences to the family, please send them to Etsuko's home at:

1935 Noriega Street San Francisco, CA 94122