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07/05/2001
Entry: "Aveline Kushi Obituary and Memorial Events"
AVELINE KUSHI OBITUARY AND MEMORIAL EVENTS
Aveline Tomoko Kushi, an internationally recognized pioneer and leader of the macrobiotic movement and the natural, organic foods industry, died early Tuesday morning (July 3) after a nine-year long experience with cancer of the cervix and its complications. She was78. Born in the small town of Yokota in the Izumo area in Japan, she studied teaching in college, and during World War II, she taught elementary school in her mountain district. She moved to Tokyo and became involved in world peace activities at the student World Government Association, run by George Ohsawa. She came to the United States in 1951 to attend a World Federalists Convention, and met her future husband, Michio Kushi, who was also a student of George Ohsawa. This was to be a turning point in her life, which she and her husband have devoted to the achievement of world peace through the spread of the macrobiotic way of healthy living through education. Aveline Kushi lived in New York and Boston, and inspired many thousands of people who have visited, studied, and sought her advice. Soon after moving to the Boston area, she recognized the need to make natural, organic-quality foods more widely available, and in 1966 opened the first natural foods store in the United States. This store, named Erewhon after the novel of a utopian society by British philosopher Samuel Butler, grew from that small store into the leading natural and organic foods distributor, with retail stores in the Boston area, Hartford, and Los Angeles, and an annual income of $17 million.
Through this company, she inspired the development of the organic foods industry by encouraging farmers to grow staple grains and beans organically, and by providing a market for their crops. She and her husband were also owned several natural foods restaurants over the years, Sanae and the Seventh Inn in Boston, and Open Sesame in Brookline. Aveline Kushi was a co-founder of the Kushi Foundation, East West Foundation, and One Peaceful World, and the Kushi Institute, organizations devoted to the improvement of human health and social well-being. She authored several cookbooks, including Aveline Kushi’s Complete Guide to Macrobiotic Cooking, and has taught macrobiotics at seminars throughout the world. Her classes were seminal introductions to the Western palate of traditional Japanese foods such as miso, tofu, umeboshi, and sea weed. Her cooking classes and natural foods business were a catalyst to the development of related foods companies involved in the manufacture of foods such as high-quality, organic sour dough bread, and soy foods such as tofu, tempeh, natto, and miso.
Her students and colleagues started companies such as Bread and Circus, Eden Foods, and Imagine Foods. Aveline Kushi also introduced the traditional use of medicinal cooking for various disorders, thus contributing directly to the growth and interest in complementary and alternative healing practices. Macrobiotics is today widely recognized as a leading comprehensive lifestyle approach to the management of cancer and heart disease. Recognizing the appreciation of different cultures as an integral part of promoting world peace, Aveline Kushi promoted East-West cultural exchange, and introduced U.S. and European audiences to Tea Ceremony, Noh Dance performance, futon making, calligraphy, and flower arrangement. Her students were inspired to start the first futon manufacturing companies in the U.S.A Aveline Kushi and her husband also started several publications, including the East-West Journal (now Natural Health) in 1969, which also inspired similar publications such as the New Age Journal. Aveline and Michio Kushi’s accomplishments were recognized by the Smithsonian Institution with the establishment in 1999 of the Kushi Family Collection of materials related to their work by the National Museum of American History. She leaves her husband, Michio Kushi, four sons, Norio of North Carolina, Lawrence of New York, Phiya of Becket, and Hisao of California; four sisters and three brothers; 13 grandchildren, and 19 nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at the First Parish of Brookline, Monday, July 9, at 11.
Kushi, Aveline T. (Yokoyama) of Brookline, July 3, 2001. Dear and devoted wife of Michio. Beloved mother of Norio of North Carolina, Lawrence of New York, Phiya of Becket, Hisao of California, and the late Lily. Loving sister of Miyako Okada, Makoto Yokoyama, Atsumi Minura, and Junko Asano, all of Japan, Kyu Yokoyama of New York, Yoko Kendall of Worthington, and Masaru Yokoyama of Texas. Also survived by 13 loving grandchildren and 19 nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Louis M. Kfoury Funeral Home 420 Harvard St. (between Beacon St. and Commonwealth Ave.) BROOKLINE Monday at 10 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. in the First Unitarian Church 382 Walnut St., Brookline.
Visiting hours Sunday 4-8 p.m.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Aveline Kushi is recognized internationally as a pioneer and leader of the macrobiotic movement and the natural, organic foods industry. With her husband, she founded Erewhon, one of the first natural foods companies, and the Kushi Institute, an educational organization. She promoted East-West cultural exchange, and dedicated her life to world peace. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Kushi Foundation, Aveline Kushi Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 7, Becket, MA 02113.
Interment will be private
AVELINEKUSHI MEMORIAL EVENTS
Sunday, July 8
Visitation
4:00 a8:00 PM
Louis M. Kfoury Funeral Home
420 Harvard Street
Brookline, Massachusetts
Monday, July 9
Memorial Service
11:00AM a 12:30 PM
First Parish in Brookline
382 Walnut Street
Brookline, Massachusetts
Reception
Following Memorial Service
The Home of Michio and Aveline Kushi
62Buckminster Road
Brookline, Massachusetts
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Aveline Kushi Memorial Fund
c/o Kushi Foundation
P.O. Box 7
198 Leland Road
Becket, Massachusetts 01223
413-623-5741
NOTE At this time, it has not been decided if Aveline Kushi’s body will be buried or cremated. If there is a cremation, there will be final farewell service on Tuesday, July 10th at 1 PM at the Forest Hills Crematory in Boston.
Directions
Directions to Kfoury Funeral Home:
From West:
Take Mass Pike East to Exit 18, Allston/Cambridge Follow signs to Allston At fourth traffic light (Sports Depot restaurant on right) take left onto Harvard Street. Follow Harvard Street past Commonwealth Avenue. Funeral Home is a mile beyond Commonwealth Avenue on right, at light at Fuller
Street
From North:
TakeI-93 to Storrow Drive exit
Follow Storrow Drive to Kenmore Square exit Take right at first light onto Beacon Street Stay on Beacon, going straight out of Kenmore Square (between Pizzeria Uno
And U.S. Trust Bank)
After one mile, turn right onto Harvard Street (clock tower on Northwest corner; Coolidge Corner)
Funeral Home is at third light, at Fuller Street From South: TakeI-95/Route 128 to Route 9 East.
After about 6 miles turn left onto Cypress Street (VW dealership on SW corner)
At second traffic light, turn left onto Harvard Street Follow Harvard Street past streetcar tracks on Beacon Street Funeral Home is at third light, at Fuller Street
Directions to First Parish
From West:
Take Route 9 East towards Brookline
Take right onto Cypress Street (VW dealership on SE corner) Take first right on Walnut Street First Parish (Stone church) 2 blocks on left after passing old cemetery
From East:
Take Route 9 West towards Brookline
Take left onto Cypress Street (VW dealership on SE corner) Take first right onto Walnut Street First Parish (Stone church) 2 blocks on left after passing old cemetery
Directions to Home of Michio and Aveline Kushi From West: Take Route 9 East towards Brookline Take left onto Sumner Road (after Brookline Reservoir on right) Take first left onto Buckminster Road No. 62 is second house on left (stone house with circular drive) From East:
Take Route 9 West toward Brookline. Take left onto Sumner Road (first traffic light after Route 9 goes up a hill, just after VW dealership) Take first left onto Buckminster Road No. 62 is second house on left (stone house with circular drive) From First Parish (two blocks from Home of Michio and Aveline Kushi) First Parish is at intersection of Walnut and Warren Streets Take Warren Street north one block to Route 9 Cross Route 9 onto Sumner Road (street changes name) Take first left onto Buckminster Road No. 62 is second house on left (stone house with circular drive
Replies: 4 comments
Michio Sensei,
Please accept my most heartfelt condolences on the passing of our Aveline. Her determined teaching guidance in the preparation of foods for life and her vibrant presence remain in us as living testimony to how intensely she touched our lives. During the early 1970'2 my then wife and I spent many days studying with the two of you at your home in Brookline. In your parlor turned lecture hall you expanded and awakened our minds and souls, never again to be go through life unconcious of who we are and what life is. And in your kitchen turned laboratory Aveline brought us down to earth and showed us how to create our bodies and lives in the kitchen and through food everyday. I will never forget her sly smile and that presence. What a presence! Petite, tight, strong, even harsh at times yet oh how feminine and delicate. She was an effective teacher to many of us who passed through the Kushi household on our way to the great show. Thank you Michio Sensei for sharing her with us. What blessings are mine to give I send to you and your children. Gracias.
Posted by Carlos Aponte @ 10/04/2001 04:46 PM EST
Dear Mr. Michio Kushi,
I was recently told by a visitor from Japan the death of Mrs. Aveline Kushi, and wish to send my sincere condolences to you and your bereaved family. I would also like to express my renewed gratitude for you and Aveline-sensei, for having supported and guided me in getting over my own illness 10 years ago, as well as in our efforts to save the life of Shohei Suzuki, my husband, 6 years ago. Although we could not save his life, I will never forget your earnest and kind supports extended to my family at our adversity.
My heart remains with you and your family at the time of deep sorrow by the loss of your most loved one. You and Aveline-sensei will be in my prayer.
Yours sincerely,
Yoshiko Suzuki, from Ontario, Canada
Posted by Yoshiko Suzuki @ 09/04/2001 07:50 PM EST
Dear Mr. Kushi,
I just wanted to wish you my condolences on the death of your wife. My family was intensely involved in Macrobiotics in the 70's and 80's and I remember coming up to the Kushi institute several times and how it seemed like a place of peace and timelessness. Mrs. Kushi was always there patiently teaching and cooking and she seemed like a very wise, beautiful, peaceful, loving woman. I am sorry to hear of her passing and want to wish you all the best. She brought so much to the world and I'm sure she'll always be with you.
Love Celia
Posted by Celia Kendrick @ 07/08/2001 08:38 PM EST
Respectfully I address Michio,and children - Norio, Lawrence, Phiya and Hisao and the memories of Aveline and Lily,
Leo and I have only very recently introduced ourselves to the serious study of the wholeness and oneness of Macrobiotics, but in this short time we understand the tremendous contribution which Aveline Kushi has made in teaching those who were willing to hear the ultimate way we should be living in order to gain the most we can from our passage in time on this planet . She leaves a legacy of love and warmth for her fellow man, and hope for all who are willing to seek and find.
God Bless, we will be thinking of you all in Brookline , Mass. on Monday. We are far away in New Zealand. Love from Jackie and Leo Volkov.
Posted by Jackie and Leo Volkov @ 07/08/2001 01:43 AM EST
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