Anne Yamada peacefully passed away at her home in Berkeley on May 16, 2025 after an extended bout with cancer.  

Anne was born on August 16, 1953 to Ben and Mary Mizota in San Fernando, California. She and her sister Carol were lovingly cared for by her parents, initially in the city of Pacoima before moving to their home in San Fernando.

Anne enjoyed attending school throughout her life, beginning at Gridley Street Elementary School, followed by Olive Vista Junior High School, and Sylmar High School.  She thoroughly enjoyed school life, her many close friends, and was a member of school councils and the cheerleading squads in both junior and senior high school.

When Anne graduated from Sylmar High, she received a California State Scholarship as well as awards as the Outstanding Student from the Sylmar Kiwanis Club and recognition for Scholarship and Leadership from the San Fernando Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League.

Anne entered UCLA in the fall of 1972 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1976.  She was a diligent student, often bringing her books to UCLA Bruins basketball games so that she could study during the seemingly routine double-digit Bruin victories.

Following graduation, Anne pursued and received her teaching credential from California State University – Los Angeles and began her career as an elementary school teacher that spanned over 35 years.  Included during that time was a five-year period mentoring new teachers as they began their careers in the West Contra Costa School District.

Anne met Brian Yamada in 1981 at the Glendale Free Methodist Church and after a fun and memorable courtship, they became husband and wife on May 26, 1984.  Anne and Brian soon relocated to the city of El Cerrito in Northern California before subsequently moving to their home in Berkeley.  Anne missed the proximity of her family and friends in Southern California, but soon gained many additional heartfelt friends as she settled into her new life with Brian in Northern California.     

Following her retirement from the school district in 2015, Anne continued as a volunteer with Children Rising, an Oakland-based education non-profit dedicated to providing one-on-one tutoring to elementary school students that needed help to improve their reading, math, and homework skills.  She truly enjoyed tutoring her students, both in-person and on-line during the recent pandemic years.   

A woman of faith, Anne accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior when she was 12 years old, and as her faith grew, knew that Jesus would always be with her and that her relationship with Him was a gift of His grace that would be everlasting.  Throughout her life, she shared her faith as a Sunday School teacher, mentor, and was active in her church fellowship groups.  She also served as a member of the Bible Study Fellowship Children’s Ministry team for many years.  God continually blessed and surrounded Anne with the love, support, and encouragement of those that loved her.

Anne is survived by her husband of 41 years, Brian, who has felt blessed each and every day to have had her in his life.  She is also survived by her sister Carol (Myron Tomikawa) their children Collin Tomikawa (Priscilla Tuan) and Christine Tomikawa (Jarod Kawasaki).  Anne was also blessed be survived by great grandchildren Micah, Kainoa, and Amaya Tomikawa and Hannah and Andie Kawasaki.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Anne Yamada will be held on Saturday the 21st of June, 2025 beginning at 9:30 am in the Main Chapel of the Sunset View Cemetery and Mortuary, 101 Colusa Avenue, El Cerrito, California 94530.  The service will also be streamed for live and future viewing via the Sunset View website. 

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