Mary Funaoka has been teaching others her whole life. 

She loved playing “school” growing up just so she could teach her younger cousins and siblings, preparing us all for academic rigor before we even began 6th grade. 

She pursued (and excelled) in teaching as a profession, molding and impacting the lives of the thousands of students and other teachers that were lucky enough to cross paths with her.

She is a mother to three beautiful children, constantly teaching them to be kind, intelligent, resourceful, and above all, loving people. 

And even now, during the most difficult of times, Mary continues to teach us all how to live life fully. She teaches us to find joy in the big and small moments, in spite of what life might throw at you. She teaches people every day how to persevere, how to be strong, and how to love through the good and bad. These might be her most important lessons of all. 

By doing this walk, Mary, true to her nature, continues to teach others, including you, by spreading awareness about something that’s deeply personal to her and all of her friends and family. We’re all truly humbled to be part of this event every year.