Fumei Yang Kao

Born on November 17, 1942, in Xiamen, China, during the turbulent years of World War II, Fumei’s resilience was forged early in life. At just four years old, she fled with her family to Taiwan, settling in Kaohsiung, where she spent her formative years. Driven by a sharp mind and high personal standards, she pursued her early studies at Kaohsiung Medical College before immigrating to the United States in the 1960s with her husband, Dr. Tzu-Min Kao. She continued her education in America, earning a Master’s degree in Nutrition from Columbia University.

Fumei was a force of nature—a strong, determined, and pragmatic woman whose fierce independence and ambition defined every step of her journey. Alongside her career and community endeavors, she was a loving mother who remained deeply devoted to her family. She managed her husband’s medical practice with exacting care, and her conviction and natural leadership eventually drew her into public service, where she served as an Overseas Legislator in the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), bridging global communities and advocating with unyielding purpose.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Tzu-Min Kao; her children, Winfred (Colleen), Wileen, and Vivian (Shou); and her seven grandchildren: Molly, Tyler, Felicity, Dylan, Juliette, Genevieve, and Alexander, all of whom carry forward her legacy of tenacity, drive, and dignity.

A memorial service to honor Fumei’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016.

華府聞人楊富美校長於日前因心臟病突發，與世長辭。楊富美女士生於公元1942年11月17日廈門市鼓浪嶼。四歲時，楊家以帆船渡過太平洋遷移到台灣的港都高雄鼓山。

她讀完鼓山國民小學，就升學省立高雄女中。然後就讀高雄醫學院藥學系。畢業後任職市立醫院。她於1965年與高資敏醫師結婚，並於同年負笈美國，就讀哥倫比亞大學研究院。1980年代在華府創辦維華中文學校，經常舉辦僑社及校際文化藝術交流活動。

楊富美和高資敏育有偉恩、偉玲、偉晏三個優秀的子女，都受過良好的高等教育，對社會著有貢獻。七個孫子女也在健康的環境中接受教養。

楊校長曾任中華民國僑務委員，及第四屆立法委員，對美台之間的學術藝術文化交流活動出力甚多，饒有貢獻。生前已開始籌備藝術文教基金會多時，希望這個公益組織可以為這個社會發光發熱。

她的長子高偉恩表示，他們敬愛的母親高楊富美女士，於2026年8月10日下午6時回歸天家，安息主懷。謹訂於8月16日（星期日）下午二時，假華府高樂斯殯儀舘（Joseph GawIer's Sons，5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW，Washington，DC 20016)舉行安息禮拜。特此敬告諸親友。

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