Yun "Ann" Kuan

Born in Taiwan to parents Care Kuan and Sunny Kuo on September 22, 1996, Ann spent her childhood in Portland, Oregon alongside older brother Lan Kuan, where they shared fond memories doodling, reading manga, watching anime, and playing Nintendo DS. Ann was an avid fan of Japanese animation, especially those by Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli. Her favorites include Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. She also had an everlasting love for Sanrio characters, her all-time favorite being a golden retriever dog sporting a beret named Pompompurin.

Ann was a Portland native who graduated from Tualatin High School in 2014 and Portland State University in 2018, where she received her Bachelor's in Business Administration and Marketing. At Portland State University, Ann was a Resident Assistant and a Student Ambassador, where she represented the university with her professionalism and leadership skills. She also attended the Portland Chinese School every Sunday from K-12 and was a member of their Chinese fan dance team. Always an avid learner, she took additional classes and received certifications from Portland Community College even after finishing her bachelor's degree.

Ann was a brilliant light in the lives of those around her, known for her boundless artistry and creativity echoed through her burgeoning interests for cosplay, J-fashion, and Lolita. She was devoted to her craft and spent countless hours and nights in front of her sewing machine, drafting designs for her favorite cosplays, which she would later showcase in conventions such as Kumoricon and Sakuracon. Her undying love for J-fashion/Liz Lisa and Lolita was well known across the local Lolita community, garnering massive interests for her thoughtful yet creative coordinates. Her growing passion introduced opportunities to model for the PSU Japan Night Fashion Show in 2017, Moi-Même-Moitié brand fashion show at Sakuracon in 2018, and spotlight features on the Oregonian in 2021. Ann’s unceasing passion for all things frilly and pink eventually transformed into the creation of her very own Lolita fashion business called Frilly Cookie Designs in March of 2022, which featured handmade Lolita fashion accessories. Some of her proudest works include witch hats, overskirts, cotton aprons, wrist cuffs, and sweetheart hair bows. She did this while working full-time as a UX Product & Creative Brand Producer at Instrument and a website manager volunteer for the Chinese American Citizens Alliance in Portland. Her desire for creative outlets went beyond digital products and her business, with additional passions for cake and cookie decorating as evidenced by baking birthday cupcakes for her pets and seasonal cookies for friends and families.

Ann's vibrant spirit was evident in her love for travel and her enthusiastic embrace of new experiences. Ann spent many summers as a child visiting family in Taiwan, and her love of travel continued throughout her life. During university, Ann studied abroad in France at Lyon Catholic University for a semester and spent many weekends traveling through France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. She went on to visit Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia, and made many trips to visit friends across the United States and Canada. She was a talented, efficient traveler, and made the most of every trip from a short weekend to a long holiday vacation. The only season Ann did not like to travel was summer, which she often claimed was too hot and too crowded, and she enjoyed the season in her home state of Oregon. She loved visiting new restaurants in the Portland area, attending food festivals, and visiting the Oregon coast.

Her genuine care for her friends, family, and beloved pets Watson and Maple made a lasting impact, and her warmth and compassion enriched every life she touched. Ann had a true passion for life and extraordinary kindness. Ann is survived by her parents, Care and Sunny, brother Lan, her husband Vance, her rambunctious dog Watson, mischievous cat Maple, and her many dear friends.

A memorial service to honor Ann’s remarkable life will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary & Sunset Hills Memorial Park. We invite all who knew and cherished Ann to join us in celebrating her memory and the joy she brought to our lives. Livestream information for those who cannot attend in person is below.

Ann’s spirit will continue to inspire us, and her memory will forever be a source of light and love.

Please feel welcome to share your condolences, warm memories, and cherished photos on this page for Ann's family, friends, and loved ones.

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LIVESTREAM INFORMATION:

Topic: Ann's Memorial Broadcast

Time: Aug 2, 2024 09:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84675049466?pwd=MmbUOvU6n2yqc3staaCb2l8EbBamxn.1

Meeting ID: 846 7504 9466

Passcode: 464088