Ann Kameyo Tanabe

Song Of Solomon 6:2

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Ann Kameyo Yamauchi Tanabe on the 26th of January, 2025, after a brave and brief battle with cancer. At Ann's side for the duration of her illness — just like every day of their marriage — was her husband Brett Tanabe and daughters Julia and Lillian. Ann and Brett would have been married 30 years this coming July.

Ann may have been petite in stature but in her 56 years on earth, she was anything but small: she was special for so many big reasons. Ann loved and embraced her family, was a caring and thoughtful friend, and was a dedicated and compassionate co-worker and mentor. She is uniformly remembered for her warmth and intellect and for her uncanny ability to listen carefully and, for anyone who asked for advice, for giving spot-on, concise, and kind direction. Ann had the unique ability to bring people together and support others in a way that was both effortless and selfless. She simply knew who needed to be connected to whom and she was the spark to make it happen. Ann is also remembered for being a powerhouse in the world of biotech and had decades of professionally significant work in her field.

For Ann, life began on Oahu, where she grew up with her parents, Sharlene and Roy Yamauchi, and her brother Ryan Yamauchi, who all survive her. Ann is also survived by her dearest aunt, Jeanette Soon, whom she called Auntie Jaye, as well as numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. Surrounded by her family, Ann had a childhood marked by never-ending activities with their extended relatives. Whether it was a picnic on the beach or a shared meal, Ann loved being surrounded by love, good food, and stimulating conversation - something she carried over into her adult life. Ann was proud to attend Punahou School, where she graduated from in 1986. While there, Ann was an active member of the school community and played the French Horn in the school band. She also enjoyed taking dance classes. Her time at Punahou was formative and she stayed true to her school her whole life.

After graduation, Ann moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University. Ann loved Los Angeles and graduated in 1990 with a degree in political science. It was there, while she was taking an Asian studies class at nearby UCLA as part of a joint class with LMU, that Ann met Brett through mutual friends. Brett was a student at UCLA and as it turned out, some of his friends met Ann in class. It was a happy fate that brought the two of them together through some casual get-togethers with their classmates. Organically, they became friends and when Ann needed a date for an LMU formal, she invited Brett and the rest, is a wonderful history.

The pair stayed in Los Angeles upon graduation to start their careers, with Ann starting work at Rochem, now known as Rochem Americas. Prior to moving to Houston, Ann and Brett got engaged at the top of Coit Tower in San Francisco while on a trip to the Bay Area to visit Brett’s family.

They moved to Houston later that year for Ann's new position with Rochem and planned a 1995 wedding in Honolulu. Their wedding was especially sentimental for Ann because their ceremony took place in the chapel at the Punahou School. Brett noted that even though Ann wanted a small wedding, it was a testament to both their family and friends that they ended up having a nearly 400-person guest list to celebrate their nuptials. The couple included their Chinese-Japanese heritages into the entire wedding and there was Hula dancing, Banzaii toasts, and a Chinese Lion Dance as highlights of the night.

Ann and Brett honeymooned on the island of Lanai, which kicked off a lifetime of travels. Together, over the decades, they incorporated Brett's love of sports — which became Ann's love of sports, too — into their travels. They ventured everywhere from watching the Women's World Cups in France and Canada to dining their way through the south of France and skiing in Lake Tahoe.

Although the move to Houston was only supposed to be for a year or two, Ann and Brett ended up putting down Texas roots so deep they never left. Says Brett: "Little did we know that we would spend almost our entire adult lives together here in Houston. It was the best decision we ever made." That best outcome included the births of their two daughters, whom Ann thought were her best accomplishments: Julia, in 1997, and Lillian, in 2003. Although Ann was a rockstar in her professional life, she never missed time with her daughters. She became an active member of the girls' schools: River Oaks Elementary, Annunciation Orthodox School, and for Julia, St. Agnes Academy, and Lillian, the Kinkaid School. Ann felt that Julia and Lillian needed to be educated and prepared for life. For college, Julia followed in Ann's footsteps and attended LMU. "When it came time to pick a major, I looked to my mom for advice," recalls Julia, an accountant at KMPG Los Angeles. "For some reason, she thought I'd be good at accounting. I had no idea what an accountant did, but Mom always knows best, so I majored in accounting. Well, I ended up enjoying all my accounting classes and started my career in public accounting upon graduation. I've always looked to my mom for advice, and she always had the right answer. She probably knew me better than I knew myself."

Lillian is currently a student at Boston University and will be graduating this May with a degree in accounting. She will start her career in public accounting following graduation and also credits her mom with guiding her in life. She also notes that Ann's strength will forever stay with her. "My mom's time in the hospital was filled with so many daunting moments, but there were also many beautiful ones," says Lillian. "Every day, I watched my mom face her challenges with remarkable strength and courage. My dad, sister and I did our best to bring light and positivity through the small things." Those small things included bringing Ann her favorite ice cream and Hammond's peppermint candy canes.

Brett, Julia, and Lillian stress that food is a common thread that keeps their family entertained. Ann was always game for trying new restaurants in Houston or on their travels. Thanksgiving was always special, with a homemade feast cooked at home. Ann loved sweets and was always sure to bring the best desserts to gatherings with friends. She also loved to eat popcorn while watching romantic comedies and the Hallmark channel right along with CNBC and every topical business news show.

Brett jokes that Ann loved her work so much that it was not just her profession but also her hobby. At the time of her passing, Ann was the CEO of BioHouston. The company stated that Ann was: " A visionary leader and steadfast advocate for our biotech community. Ann believed deeply in the power of community and the potential of biotechnology to heal and transform lives. She kept patients at the forefront of every effort, knowing that our work could make a profound difference. Under Ann's leadership, BioHouston has thrived as a platform to Convene, Connect, Catalyze, and Curate a dynamic and collaborative life sciences ecosystem. Her unwavering dedication inspired countless innovators and strengthened Houston's role as a hub for life science excellence."

During Ann's time at Texas Biotechnology, where she was the Investor Relations Manager and Corporate Communications Coordinator, Ann joined the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI). Ann became a board member of NIRI and was proud of the work the group accomplished. She also became lifelong friends with many of her NIRI colleagues. As Texas Biotechnology changed its name to Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Ann took on the role Vice-President of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, where she worked for 5 years, and would credit Encysive for many of the personal and professional relationships she eventually carried over to her work at BioHouston. After a two-year stint as VP of Investor Relations at Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., Ann decided to "slow down" (haha) by going to work for the non-profit organization, BioHouston. Of course, Ann did not "slow down" at all — she did not know the meaning!! She went all-in to help grow BioHouston and to help the entire biotech community, from start-up companies to academia (Rice, UH, A&M, UT and others) to the Texas State government, to national and international pharma, and the Greater Houston Partnership. Ann tirelessly worked to connect and develop relationships across all these entities.

Ann was a member of the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Product Development Advisory Committee. Additionally, Ann was a member of The University of Houston BME Industrial Advisory Board, Rice University's Professional Science Master's Program Advisory Board, Houston Community College's Chancellor's Business Champions Council, Alvin Community College Biotechnology Advisory Committee and San Jacinto's College Chancellor's Biotechnology Advisory Council and San Jacinto College Biomanufacturing Advisory Committee.

Brett, Julia and Lillian would like to thank Dr. Anthony Estrera and Family, Dr. David Shin and Family, Dr. Randy Schaffer and Family, Dr. Valerae Lewis, Dr. John Burpeau, Dr. Kenneth Mathis, Dr. Vinod Ravi, Dr. Edward Berzin, Dr. Lane, Dr. Tang, and Staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center for their friendship and tender care of Ann.

Brett notes that Ann's favorite flowers were Lillies. She especially loved Star Gazer Lillies and Casa Blanca Lillies. Throughout their time together, Brett always brought Ann flowers, most usually, her favorite Lillies.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 15th of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family and share remembrances of Ann during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.

For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting Mrs. Tanabe's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the “Join Livestream” icon on the service section. While there, you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with her family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon.

In June, on the island of Oahu, there will be an additional celebration of Ann’s life.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Musculoskeletal Oncology Sarcoma Research Fund at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center by visiting online at https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=9249.

Brett, Julia and Lillian would like to have a bench placed for her in the Hermann Park McGovern Centennial Gardens. We hope this bench will be a place where friends and family will go to reflect, remember, and celebrate life. Donations towards the bench can be made online by visiting https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=tcs&formId=146fdbc4-a335-4a32-8346-d67aa0d06296&envid=p-ghIlVDzUukGhV9gRtNPu6Q&zone=usa