Maureen Kiyoko Sashihara Osuga 1932-2022

She was born June 2, 1932, in Alhambra, Calif., the daughter of the late Thomas Tozaburo Sashihara and the late Chiyo Nina Otera Sashihara.

In her early life, Maureen survived the Japanese-American Concentration Camps during World War II, which were enacted under Executive Order 9066, at the Relocation Center at Heart Mountain, Wyo., where she suffered malnutrition. She was later relocated to Cleveland with her family.

As a young woman, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a master’s degree in education at The Ohio State University, eventually becoming a beloved substitute elementary school teacher.

Maureen also served in the Disciples of Christ Church as Vice-President of CWF International (Christian Women’s Fellowship) during which she served major leadership, outreach and communications roles with underserved communities in Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia. Her recognition and positions were formidable lifetime accomplishments: she was Disciple of Merit Award Recipient and she served on the executive committee of the Regional Church Council. Maureen was very active with Women’s Ministries, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, including serving on the cabinet of the International Disciples Women Ministries (IDWM). She was active in Adult Conference and was a member of the Anti-Racism Commission. Maureen is quoted in the book “The Stone Campbell Movement: A Global History,” which is a significant historical record of the formation of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Maureen married the late Rev. James S. Osuga (1925-2008) on Aug. 13, 1955. As not only his wife, but confidant and closest friend, Maureen was a quiet but driving force for over four decades behind his successes as a minister at multiple churches that flourished under his leadership in Ohio, including Fayette Christian Church, Fayette, Ohio, Bazetta Christian Church, Cortland, Ohio and First Christian Church, Youngstown, Ohio.

Loved ones remember Maureen by her understated manner, delightful and spontaneous sense of humor, playful storytelling, creativity and determined intelligence, quiet leadership, unending kindness and gracious generosity. She will be missed dearly.

She is survived by one son, Thomas James Osuga of New York; one brother, Tom Sashihara and sister-in-law, Janet Sashihara of Wilmington, Del.; one sister, Diane Andow of Cincinnati; brother-in-law, Don Osuga and Brenda Osuga of Columbus; sister-in-law, Cheri Alexander of Columbus; former daughter-in-law Dr. Li-Chen Hwang of New York; and two granddaughters, Miru Osuga of Washington, D.C. and Memie Osuga of Tainan, Taiwan.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, are encouraged to be directed to the following organizations: The Pension Fund of the Christian Church, P.O. Box 6251, Indianapolis, IN 46206, pfcc1@pensionfund.org, 866-495-7322; The Dana School of Music, Bliss Hall at 1 University Plaza, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH 44555, ysufoundation.org, 330-941-3636; Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, 2805 Salt Springs Road, Youngstown, OH 44509, mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org, 330-792-5522; or CityMeals on Wheels, online donations preferred, www.citymeals.org, 212-687-1234, 355 Lexington Ave., 3rd FL, New York, NY 10017

Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Bazetta Christian Church, 4131 Hoagland-Blackstub Road (Bazetta Road), Cortland, OH 44410, reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall with burial taking place at 3 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery, 520 West Main St., Cortland, OH 44410. If you cannot attend in person, the funeral service will be streamed on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/bazettachristian.

Please feel free to click on and check out the memorial website for Maureen Osuga at osugamiru.wixsite.com/maureenosuga.

May God’s Abundant Blessings flow to each and every one of you, as they have for us.

(special notice)