Ruby N. Takanishi passed away in Manhattan, New York on August 8, 2020 at age 74. Ruby was born in Waimea, Kauai and grew up in Kekaha. She graduated from Waimea High School and went on to Stanford University from which she received her PhD in educational psychology/child development. Career highlights include teaching at UCLA and working for the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development in Washington, DC and for the Foundation for Child Development in New York City. During her career, Ruby's focus was on developing early childhood education policies and programs to "launch every child on a successful pathway to a good and productive life".
Ruby is survived by daughter, Marika Takanishi Knowles (Steve Drasco), brother, Claude (Wendy) Takanishi, two nephews, Kenji and Kei, and grand-niece, Haley.
Services are not scheduled at this time. Donations may be made to the following Hawaii-based organizations which Ruby supported: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (https://www.jcch.com/) and Waimea Alumni and Friends Foundation: Misae Tokushige Takanishi Scholarship (http://waffkauai.org/).
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
