Stephanie G. B. Tansey was born in Tokyo, Japan on October 19, 1949 to Alice Harte Buzzarté and Meurice “Frenchie” Buzzarté, with her sister, Michele. She led an eclectic life, grew up in Japan in a home built by a famous architect, listened to Greek tragedies, traveled, loved animals, and dated the captain of the basketball team.  She moved to New York to attend Goddard College, dropped out, moved to New York City, where she eventually graduated with honors from NYU, worked at a marketing firm, and organized parties at Studio 54. 

New York, a city that she loved, is where she encountered Buddhism, which, in her typical fashion, she dove into, and tested Buddhist principles in earnest.  A few years later, she met Bob Tansey, also a Buddhist, in Washington, DC.  They got married in April 1978, and had two children (Alena Junko Tansey and David Erin Mitsuo Tansey).  

When Stephanie was growing up in Japan, she witnessed a young American diplomat welcome a U.S. Navy ship. She decided she would marry a diplomat, so she pushed Bob to take the Foreign Service Exam (become a diplomat) and they began an international life of adventure, where she encouraged him (and her family, and everyone she met) to grow.  She dedicated her life to Soka education, dialogue, community, family, the belief in the infinite capacity/Buddhahood of all she encountered, and the importance of a sustainable relationship with nature.  She always carried out her human revolution but never conformed.

Her last words show her indomitable spirit, “I am not afraid! I am Bodhisattva Medicine King!”