Kathleen "Kathi" Tanouye

Kathleen "Kathi" Tanouye lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. She was born in Fresno, CA and attended Parlier schools, where she graduated at the top of her class. She was a member of the local 4-H Club where she learned new cooking, baking, and sewing skills and she entered projects into the Fresno Fair.

Kathi was employed for many years in the medical field and served as administrator for offices in Fresno, Reedley and Beverly Hills. While living in the South Bay, she baked and supplied thousands of pies for two chain restaurants.

Kathi enjoyed the outdoors. Her husband George introduced her to camping, sail boarding, biking, running, rock climbing and backpacking. However, she didn't enjoy carrying a 40 pound pack on long trips and was adamant that any further trips would include pack animals.

In her later years, Kathi became a big fan of Fresno State Women's Basketball. She tried to make it to all the home games and as many away games as possible. They included the conference championships and NCAA tournaments.

Kathi was preceded in death by her parents, Henry "Hank" and Aiko Tanouye; her paternal grandparents, Izumi and Maruye Tanouye; her maternal grandparents, Mataichi and Yoshimi Takemoto; her uncles, George, Tom and Johnny Tanouye, Sumio Takata, and Kazuma Takemoto; and aunties, Masayo Yano and Michiko Tanouye; as well as her beloved dog, Emma Lou.

Kathi and Emma Lou are now completing their life's treks in the Sierra high country, especially around Tenaya Lake. All on horseback and no more walking for Kathi! They are relishing the sweet, clean, pine scented air, the quiet darkness and thousands of twinkling stars of night. Happy trails!

She is survived by her husband George; and their dog Wookie. She is also survived by her sisters and their husbands, Gwen and Larry Kubo, and Lee and Cliff Osaki; her nephews, Kellen Kubo and his wife Lauren, Kendal Kubo; her niece, Dalee Kubo; as well as many uncles, aunts and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held at Parlier Buddhist Church on Friday, April 4, 2014, at 10:00 am.

Arrangements under the direction of Lisle Funeral Home, Fresno, CA.