Mary Ann Gee

Born in Cebu, Philippines to the late Jose and Juanita Tan Yaotin as Mary Ann Tan Unjo, and fondly known as Annie in her hometown, Mary Ann’s defining traits even from childhood were her dedication to church and love of classical music. Early in life she already knew that she wanted to be a church musician, and took the first step in attaining this goal by being a piano accompanist at her church as a teenager.

Earning a scholarship to Silliman University in the Philippines and graduating in 1973 with a BM degree, she briefly taught piano in Soochow University in Taiwan, before pursuing graduate studies at Teachers College of Columbia University, earning her MA degree in Music and Music Education in 1976.

It was at Columbia that she met a fellow graduate student, and her future husband Pak Gee. Pak and Mary Ann married on July 2, 1977 in Cocoa Beach, FL after Pak joined IBM and was assigned to work at the Kennedy Space Center. Mary Ann became the organist and choir director at Messiah Lutheran Church in Cocoa, and in 1981 after moving to Santa Maria, CA, she took a position as the principal organist at St. Mary of the Assumption in Santa Maria, CA.

In 1984, the family settled down permanently in San Jose, CA and raised their two young sons. During this time, Mary Ann also started a private piano studio, eventually growing it to over 40 students per week. She was proud to have remained in touch with many of her students in their adulthood.

In 1991, Mary Ann accepted the organist position at Campbell United Methodist Church (CUMC) and enjoyed a 25 year career as their organist. She was especially fond of CUMC’s masterful Schantz pipe organ. Her cancer diagnosis in 2015 would lead to her retirement as an organist and piano teacher, but she remained active with CUMC as a music coordinator and also conducting two of the bell choirs until her passing.

In addition to running her piano studio and work with CUMC, Mary Ann participated in local chapters of the American Guild of Organists, serving as dean and sub-dean, and the Music Teachers Association of California, serving as a board member.

Family and friends will always remember Mary Ann’s unwavering dedication to teaching the joy of music and doing her best to help the church community. Despite her busy career, she also was a homemaker who raised two children and made time for her friends. She will be missed dearly.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 41 years, Pak Gee of San Jose, CA; sons, Jonathan Gee of Tustin, CA and Anthony Gee of Emeryville, CA; brothers, Alvin Tan Unjo and Elbert Tan Yaotin, both of Cebu, Philippines; and sisters, Emily Uy and Diana Sandretto, both of Irvine, CA. She was preceded in death by her brother, Edwin Tan Unjo of Cebu.

Mary Ann was interred in Oak Hill Memorial Park in a private ceremony on August 30, 2018. A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 15, 2018 at 11:00AM at Campbell United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Boulevard, Campbell, CA.

The Gee family wishes to thank the many friends and family who have expressed their sympathy. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Ann’s memory can be made to Campbell United Methodist Church.