• John Simao • Tsuruko ‘Sue’ Yoshioka • Laurie Claytor-Denton • Mary Ann Lopes • Helen Gomes Jordan • Mary Edna St. John John Simao John Simao, of Hanapepe, died Nov. 23, 2007, at his home in Hanapepe at the
• John Simao
• Tsuruko ‘Sue’ Yoshioka
• Laurie Claytor-Denton
• Mary Ann Lopes
• Helen Gomes Jordan
• Mary Edna St. John
John Simao
John Simao, of Hanapepe, died Nov. 23, 2007, at his home in Hanapepe at the age of 86.
Born on Aug. 8, 1921, in Makaweli, he served in the Navy in Guam for two years. He was employed by the tourist industry for 45 years with Duarte U-drive Company as assistant manager. He also worked for Hawaiian Discovery, then retired with Grayline Kaua‘i.
He is preceded in death by his late wife Eva (Perreira) Simao and survived by his wife Norma Simao of Hanapepe; children Gary Simao of Lihu‘e, Judy (Chris) Earl of Virginia, Randall (Edwina) Simao and Jayne (Douglas) Domen of Kapa‘a; grandchildren Brooke, Cullen and Nathaniel (Nat), numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends may visit with the family from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo, where Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Casual attire is suggested. Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
Tsuruko ‘Sue’ Yoshioka
Tsuruko “Sue” Yoshioka, of Kapa‘a, died at Wilcox Hospital on Nov. 30, 2007, at the age of 80.
Born in Lihu‘e, on June 9, 1927, she was a retired waitress with Fairway Restaurant and Coco Palms Hotel.
She was preceded in death by her husband Tsutomu Yoshioka; sisters Chieko Miyasaki and Fujie Kang. She is survived by four daughters, Pearl (Toshinori) Mukai of Hiroshima, Japan, Jo-Ann Yoshioka of Kapa‘a, Bernice Yoshioka of Kapa‘a and Melody (Alvin) Fukuyama of Mililani, O‘ahu; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec, 8, at the Kapaa Jodo Mission; service officiated by Rev. Akiya will begin at 4 p.m. Casual attire is suggested and that flowers be omitted.
Arrangements are being handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Laurie Claytor-Denton
Laurie Claytor-Denton, born Jan. 23, 1959, in Wailuku, Maui, died Dec. 2, 2007, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
She is survived by husband Kennie Denton, daughter Lauren, son Makana, mother Lorraine Claytor of Maui, sister Leslie Claytor-True of California and brother Gary Claytor of California.
Laurie attended Kaua‘i High School and graduated from Mid-Pac in O‘ahu. She attended Hamlin University in Minnesota and in 1998 graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in creative writing. Laurie taught preschool, volunteered at grade school, coached soccer, was an avid photographer and writer.
Laurie swam competitively at Mid-Pac, Hamlin University, and in open ocean swims; 2007 was a highly successful year in swimming even while battling cancer. She dreamed of an island-wide swim program for the youth of Kaua‘i and volunteered with Swim Kaua‘i for youth and master swimmers.
Laurie was introduced to outrigger paddling while at Mid-Pac. She began paddling on Kaua‘i in 1980 with the Koloa Canoe Club and has paddled recreationally and competitively ever since. She joined the Kaiola Canoe Club in the early ‘90s. During these years, she completed many Moloka‘i crossings and countless other races. She consistently brought new techniques for training, nutrition, and equipment to the groups and was a vocal spokesperson for paddling, always on the forefront of the sport. Laurie has been involved with individual craft racing of canoes and kayaks since the early days here in Hawai‘i, contributing to its growth and development, having many successful channel crossings.
Services will be announced later. Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted her family with arrangements.
Mary Ann Lopes
Mary Ann “Baby Bull” Lopes, of Hanama‘ulu, died Nov. 25, 2007, at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at the age of 49.
Born Nov. 14, 1958, in Lihu‘e, she was a cashier.
She is survived by her husband Alfred Lopes Jr.; sons Kalani (Saddie) Kiilau, Dustin (April) Lopes and Alfred Lopes; daughter Leila (Darin) Kimmel; 10 grandchildren; mother Lily Kiilau; brothers Lance (Sandy) Kiilau, Joseph Kiilau, George Kiilau and Danny (Lisa) Kiilau; sisters Cindy (Yasu) Morikawa, Wendy (Warren) Frisbee and Leah (Jojo) Pillos; numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Lihu‘e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where services will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Cremation to follow
Casual attire is suggested and that flowers be omitted. Arangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
Helen Gomes Jordan
Helen Gomes Jordan of Kalaheo died Dec. 5, 2007, at Hale Kupuna, at the age of 90.
Born Nov. 30, 1917, in Hawai‘i, she was a seamstress.
She is survived by son Robert “Bobby” Jordan of ‘Ele‘ele, sisters Clara Jardin, Laura Duarte, Miriam Rita and Flora Duarte, all of Kalaheo, Alice Palmeira of Kapa‘a; three grandsons and three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may visit with the family from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo, where Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. by Father Nap. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Church cemetery in Kalaheo. Casual attire is suggested. Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
Mary Edna St. John
Mary Edna St. John of Koloa died Dec. 4, 2007, at her home in Koloa at the age of 52.
Born May 15, 1955, in Arkansas, she was a bartender for Jay’s Cocktail Lounge.
She is survived by her fiance Ralph Kelsey of Koloa; sons Shawn Allgood and Ryan St. John, both of Arizona; sisters Louise Harritt of Arizona and Gail St. John of Idaho; brother Eugene St. John of Arizona; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Private services took place. Arrangements were handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
