Lynne Toshiye Taguchi

February 06, 1963 – February 12, 2013

On February 12th, Lynne Taguchi peacefully passed away at home in Bellevue, WA among a close circle of family and loved ones. She had reached a milestone birthday of 50 on February 6th.

Daughter of Kazuo and Reiko Taguchi, Lynne grew up in Santa Barbara where she attended school at Adams, La Cumbre, and was an honored member of the SBHS Madrigals. She graduated from UC Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, with a BA in Sociology and Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) with a MA in International Relations and Economics, and was nearly complete with her PhD in Sociology at the University of Washington.

Lynne learned early that she loved to travel and embraced amazing life adventures: living and studying in Paris, France at the Sorbonne, in Bologna, Italy and Washington DC attending SAIS, and living and working in Hanoi, Vietnam for the United Nations on a pioneering program to help Hmong villagers establish an alternative, sustainable economy. Throughout her life she sought knowledge and understanding of other people; learning to speak French, Italian, Vietnamese, and Hmong and pursuing her PhD research in sociology.

Lynne moved to Seattle in 2004 and enjoyed living in the Pacific Northwest. She met many new friends while she went hiking, skiing, bike riding and enjoying the beauty of nature. Lynne loved to cook a special meal and sit down and enjoy it over meaningful conversation with friends and family. She always had a kind word for others and the ability to bring laughter to every gathering.

Lynne will live on in the hearts of her life partner, Steve Yount, her brothers Mark (and Sherrie), Jon (and Kassandra), Rod (and Linda), her nephews Isamu and Kai, her niece Mika, and her many loving relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Gilda’s Club Seattle, 1400 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122.