Ann Tsuneko Kashiwa

Ann Tsuneko Kashiwa passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 15, 2026 in Shoreline, Washington. Ann was born to immigrant parents from Japan, Isao and Sawa Murayama, in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. They lived in a community of sugar cane and pineapple plantation workers in Pu’ukolii camp. They did not have much in the way of material possessions or money but they did live among a diverse community of immigrants in search of the American dream. She was one of 7 children and the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was 91 years old.

Ann enjoyed learning and excelled in school. After graduating from Lahainaluna High School she travelled to Washington D.C. to attend George Washington University on a scholarship. She graduated with a degree in US History. While at the University she met and married Herbert K. Kashiwa, a PhD candidate in Biological Structure who was also from Hawaii (Wailuku, Oahu). Their daughter Patti was born (1958) while in DC.

After graduating they moved to Louisville in 1959, Kentucky where Herb had his first teaching position at the University of Louisville Medical School. They lived in Louisville for about 6 years and during this time had 2 sons, Kent (1961) and Jeff (1963).

In 1964 they moved to Seattle, Washington where Herb was hired by the University of Washington to do research in Biological Structure and teach in schools of Medicine and Dentistry. During this time, while raising 3 young kids, Ann went back to school to earn her Masters Degree in Education from the University of Washington. She went on to become a respected and beloved History and Humanities teacher at Mariner and Kamiak High Schools in the Mukilteo School District. Her husband, Herb, passed away unexpectedly in December 1991 when Ann was only 58 years old. Through this difficult time she carried on with her teaching career and received additional credentials to become a high school administrator. She was hired by the Highline School District as a Vice Principal at Tyee High School where she worked for about 5 years until her retirement.

Ann was not one to sit around. Having more to offer, she took up the mantel of being a mentor, coach and speaker for True Colors International. Through this organization, she would help schools and businesses build strong teams through effective communication and listening. During this time she wrote 2 books: Meaningful Conversations: Connecting the DOT and True Colors and True Teaching. She did this for about 20 years.

After retiring once again, she spent quality time with her grandkids, friends and family. She found the joy of exercising with friends at Curves and later at the YMCA. She was very conscientious about taking care of herself so that she could live the active life she wanted to live.

Throughout her life Ann had gathered and kept in touch with many friends and extended family. She was a teacher at heart and was a friend, mentor and inspiration to many. Her absence leaves a big void in our lives. She will be missed.

Ann is survived by her 3 children Patti (Norman Thiersch), Kent (Christine), Jeff (Chaunte) and her 3 grandchildren Alex, Maki and Cat.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Ann on Sunday, August 23rd at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds at Noon.

In lieu of flowers, Ann's family requests that donations be made to NW Harvest or a charity of choice.

At a later date, Ann will be interred alongside her late husband at a memorial service on Wednesday, September 2 at 2pm, at the Honpa Hongwanji, 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu. Visitation will be at 1 pm.