Alice Sano Teachout

Alice Yasuko Sano Teachout of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 6th surrounded by her family. She was 95 years old. Born in Los Angeles to Joseph Kumao and Sakae Sano, Alice was the middle child, with an older brother George, and a younger brother Roy. 

At age 7, her family moved to Chula Vista, CA, where Alice’s lifelong love for music took root. They lived next door to a child prodigy pianist who practiced daily at 6:30 AM and inspired Alice to learn to play the piano. She also taught herself to play the violin and later the cello.

In 1941, during WWII, Alice’s family was evacuated to the Santa Anita Racetrack in California and then sent to the Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas, one of the internment camps where people of Japanese descent were detained. In 1943, her father was hired by the U.S. military to teach Japanese to military intelligence which brought the family to Ann Arbor. Alice would call this home until 2022.

Alice graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1946 and pursued her passion for music at the University of Michigan School of Music. She earned her degree in 1950 with a major in music theory and a minor in piano and in 1952, she completed a double major in string music and cello.

Upon graduation, Alice taught at Episcopal schools for girls in South Dakota, and Kentucky and spent 4 years in Japan teaching piano and English. She later became self-employed as a typist for doctoral students and a piano teacher until her retirement at the age of 80.

Alice’s dedication to music was evident throughout her life. She saved diligently to acquire two grand pianos, built a harpsichord, and played the violin, cello, and viola da gamba along with multiple other instruments. Alice played the pipe organ for many years and started a handbell choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where she faithfully worshipped for 82 years. Alice’s interest expanded from classical music to a genre of Japanese music that inspired her to learn to play and perform the shamisen and koto.

In 1975, Alice married her next-door neighbor and jazz musician, John Teachout. John and Alice shared a love for music. With John, Alice discovered a passion for camping, cooking over a campfire, and finding peace in the great outdoors. They favored the U.S. National Parks and drove across the country several times.

Alice loved dogs! John and Alice had two golden retriever leader dogs for John. Alice’s “naughty” border collie, Dirk, brought her tremendous joy. She never met a dog she didn’t love and she proudly upheld her devout loyalty to dogs her entire life ~ don’t tell the cats!

As a lifelong learner with boundless curiosity, Alice took up kayaking, clog dancing, and tap dancing as an older adult, studied the Bible in Greek, explored the Torah, gardened, or puttered in their woodworking shop. With no previous drawing experience, Alice enrolled in a “right brain” drawing class where she created a stunningly life-like picture of Barbara Bush. The drawing caught the eye of a former Congressman and there it began its journey to Barbara Bush herself, which resulted in a handwritten thank-you note from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Although Alice did not have children of her own, she had five nieces who were the apples of her eye. Two in Ann Arbor had sleepovers at Auntie’s house every Saturday night and three Canadian nieces stayed with her for weeks at a time most summers. Auntie Alice was not only fun to be around, but she possessed a gift for making each of her girls feel special and loved. Alice named herself “Gr-Auntie” to her nieces’ nine children. Alice knew no age gaps. She fostered individual treasured relationships with each of her great-nieces and -nephews, meeting them where they were, and appreciating their unique personalities. 

Alice was known for her quiet yet playful nature, her spirited opinions, and her humble demeanor. She touched the lives of many with her infectious laughter and creative spirit, and her presence will be deeply missed.

A memorial service celebrating Alice’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 306 N. Division St., Ann Arbor on Saturday, October 12th at 11 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Music Program at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church St. Andrew's Music Program or Leader Dogs for the Blind Leader Dogs for The Blind 1039 S. Rochester Road, Rochester, MI 48307.