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417 E. Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico
AKIKO HIRANO Obituary
I have always known
that at last I would take this road
But yesterday I did not know
that it would be today
- Arihara-no Narihira (825-880)
It is with profound sadness that I pay tribute to my dear wife, Akiko Hirano-an accomplished scientist, talented artist, and successful gallery owner.
Akiko was born on August 6, 1947, in Takarazuka, Japan. After obtaining her Ph.D. in microbiology, she went to the University of Southern California in 1979 to join the laboratory of Dr. Peter K. Vogt, who discovered the first oncogene. There, she met me, and we began our lifelong journey as inseparable spouses and collaborators.
She loved nature and was often seen hiking with our beloved German shepherd, Butch, in the Sierra Mountains.
In 1983, we joined the faculty of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she continued her research. Her blossoming love for art eventually led us to leave the university in 2000 to open Touching Stone Gallery in Santa Fe. For the next 14 years, the gallery built an acclaimed reputation for showcasing contemporary Japanese ceramics and sumi painting-always guided by her refined aesthetic sense and inviolable ethic.
In 2014, she retired to make more time for travel and her own art. She had a keen interest in Native American culture and made frequent visits to pueblos and prehistoric ruins throughout the Southwest.
After receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis in 2018, she kept it to herself and prioritized quality of life for both of us-pursuing an active lifestyle and creating pastel paintings until she passed away on September 2, 2025.
She is remembered as an intelligent, elegant, and loving person who brought joy and admiration to all who knew her. Her beauty belied uncommon courage and discipline. A book of her paintings, entitled Touching Stone: Canyon Vignettes, was published just before her death.
She is survived by her husband, Tim, and two brothers, Kyoichi and Tadashi.
Our world is greatly diminished without her.
With eternal love,
Timothy C. Wong
Rivera Family Funerals
& Cremations
417 East Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
Phone: 505-989-7032
RiveraFamilyFuneralHome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for AKIKO HIRANO
Sponsored by Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations of Santa Fe and Santa Fe Memorial Garde.
Georgia Jones-Davis
October 6, 2025
Howard Davis and Georgia Jones-Davis send condolences to Tim Wong. We are so sad to learn of the passing of your lovely wife, Akiko Hirano. We love our Japanese temple gate and haiku poem that we obtained at one of your shows before Covid. We are neighbors of Barbara Cochrin.
Andrew Epstein
September 23, 2025
Dear Tim, having lost Karen last year, I can fully appreciate your grief at losing your dear sweet life partner. The greater the love, the greater the grief. I will never forget her sweet offer of tea when we came into the gallery and her love of and respect for the artists you so exquisitely represented. These memories will sustain you as you make your new life. With sympathy and respect. Andy Epstein
Karen Beall
September 21, 2025
Dear Tim,
I remember so well when we returned from Japan 25 years ago and discovered Touching Stone. It became Dale's and my favorite gallery; we never missed a show. We enjoyed conversations with you and with Akiko, both so knowledgeable, articulate, sensitive. Over the years our friendship grew over meals together; we heard about each others adventures; shared personal stories, then major health concerns, Dale's and Akiko's overlapping. You were a team. Your personal and professional lives were one. You wove a beautiful tapestry with your knowledge, experiences, friendships. We shared joys, then sorrows. I will never forget Akiko's visit to Dale the day before he died and how she walked right up to him and spoke to something that meant the world to him and how he responded. What a lesson that was. Such wisdom in her; in the two of you. I was privileged to have a goodbye visit with you both about ten days before she died, then be in the hospital with you September 2nd. She lives with me and I look forward to our ongoing friendship and many conversations to include Akiko. With love, Karen
Lucinda Young
September 16, 2025
To say that Akiko was exceptional and extraordinary is to try to capture an essence so unique, so profound and yet so luminous, light-hearted & witty. Akiko invested every thought, every gesture, every action with her own quiet dignity and joy. And who knew someone so private and reserved could still be such a delight, so outright funny ?! She will be derply mussed and remain with all who knew her, always.
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Katherine Shelton
September 16, 2025
Dear Tim, My deepest condolences on the passing of Akiko. Your tribute to her is so beautiful. Her sweetness and depth in all things she did is an inspiration of a life well lived. I´ll never forget the beauty of Touching Stone and her art work! with deep caring Katherine
Donna Bone and Robert Schutz
September 15, 2025
We cherish the time we had over leisurely lunches, sharing stories of being in nature, exploring archeological sites and hiking adventures, and delving into the soul of an artist. Touching Stone Gallery was aptly named as it put so many Santa Feans in touch with the two of you as well as the contemporary aesthetic of Japanese ceramics. Tim, all of these interests speak to Akiko's authenticity and to the deep, eternal connection that the two of you shared. We grieve her passing while remembering all the beauty and goodness Akiko brought to the world.
Linda Hibbs
September 14, 2025
I visited your gallery often after we had the good fortune to move here in 1965. My husband joined the new campus of St. John´s College. I was drawn to your gallery during those fourteen years and visited it often. You gave me an understanding of the quality of your life together . Your beautifully expressed memory of her is captured by your words "aesthetic sense and inviolable ethic". I mourn your loss. Thank you both for enriching my life. Linda Hibbs
Tony and Rosina
September 14, 2025
Akiko is a kind, adorable and loving sister in our family. She is always be remembered.
Susan Christie
September 14, 2025
From Susan Christie and Bill Brown. We are surprised and grieving Akiko's passing. Her generosity to me, Susan, was never ending. And she was a light of creativity and kindness. Every year your card and letter arrived to our delight. Knowing you both were doing well and enjoying retirement after Touching Stone. The gallery was heaven for me as an artist, Susan. My memories are endless and full of emotion. You both followed your hearts. Her life is a tribute to her intelligence, warmth, partnership and love. We send our heartfelt sympathy and affection to you, Tim, and your families. Susan Christie and Bill Brown
Richard and Beth
September 14, 2025
Akiko was a dear and wonderful friend, and we will miss her kindness and enthusiastic embrace of life.
Betsy Anderson
September 14, 2025
Akiko was a dear friend and a wise advisor. I miss her so much.
Betsy
Tim
September 14, 2025
Thank you for a life well-lived and enriching the lives of so many, not the least mine.
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