Obituaries for Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Nancy Louise Null
Nancy Louise Null
Nancy Louise Null, 89, passed away in Wilcox Medical Center on Nov. 28, 2021. She was born on April 20, 1932, in Tacoma, Washington, to parents Edward and Katherine Rickert.
She is survived by husband Bill, daughter Amy, older brother Glenn Rickert, and predeceased by younger sister Linda Robertson.
She was raised in the Puyallup Valley, and received a teaching degree from Central Washington State College in 1955. She then began teaching, and during the 50-year period to 2005, she taught for 42-plus years. She was with a group of teachers who came to Hawai‘i during the summer of 1958 to attend an educational workshop. She liked what she saw, and learned that Hawai‘i had a teacher shortage. The state Department of Education was handing out applications, and she took one with her on returning home to start the ’58-’59 school year in Washington state. After talking with her parents and school principal, she completed the application and sent it back. A few weeks went by, then one day a letter arrived stating that DOE would hire her in August to begin teaching the ’59-’60 school year. She was placed at Highlands Intermediate School in Pearl City, O‘ahu, and subsequently hanaied by the Harold Isa family. Three years later, she took a leave of absence to join the Peace Corps, and with a group of teachers, she was a member of the first group of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Indonesia. After two years, she returned to Hawai‘i to resume teaching,
She met Bill on October 3. They were married in May. Amy was born in Honolulu at The Queen’s Hospital. Two years later, they moved to Syracuse, New York, where bill was accepted into graduate school and Nancy found a teaching position at a Syracuse middle school. Later, they then moved back to Seattle for a while before moving to Guam, where she taught in a private elementary and middle school for nine years. They sent Amy back to Washington state to finish her last three years of high school. Nancy wanted to be present during Amy’s last year, so they left Guam in June of 1984. Nancy resumed her teaching as a substitute in both Tacoma and Clover Park school districts for a year before securing a permanent position in a CPSD school.
She retired at the close of the 1997 school year, but continued to substitute, on her terms and for certain teachers, quitting all together in 2004. Bill retired in August 2005 when they moved to a retirement facility on Kaua‘i to be near Amy, who preceded them by five years. For many years, Nancy had a passion for needlepoint, which she continued to pursue and have framed. In addition, she wanted to learn to play the ukulele, sought out an instructor, and convinced several other residents at the facility to purchase ukuleles, and together with the instructor they learned to play quite well. In addition to these activities, she initiated a monthly newsletter for the facility. Back in Washington state, she joined the Philosophical Educational Organization some 20 years ago, and continued to meet with an unsanctioned group of “sisters” here on Kaua‘i before the pandemic set in.
These numerous activities slowed during her last years, but she looked forward to attending St. Michael & All Angels’ Episcopal Church every Sunday, Bible study every Tuesday (she learned to use Zoom on her iPad), and then have picnic lunches on Saturdays at a beach park or a hotel with good friends.
She was a wonderful and conscientious wife to Bill, and a loving mother to daughter Amy.
A memorial service is yet to be determined.
Alice F. Jeremias
It is with a mixture of joyful release and deep sadness that family and friends announce the passing of the amazing life and spirit of Alice F. Jeremias. On Nov. 3, 2021, at age 98, she saw no reason to stay longer.
Her life adventure began in Caruthers, California, on March 12, 1923, when she was born the youngest of seven children to Azorean immigrants, Antonio Bernado and Frances Silviera Jeremias. She was the last survivor of that closely bound farm family.
She was a resident of Kaua‘i for the last 20 years, and spent most of those years on the North Shore property of her daughter and son-in-law, Mindy and Larry Smith, where the love of dogs, nature and lanai dinners with friends fed her spirit.
She was a proud armed forces veteran, having joined the Navy in 1944 during WW II. Soon after, she married and moved to the Midwest, where she gave birth to her two children, Tim and Mindy. Years later she would return to central California and maintain a full-time clerical position until she reached retirement.
Always looking for mental stimulation, she earned a degree in art from Fresno City College at age 60. Creating art became one of her many passions, and her paintings dot the walls and tables of many loved ones. She took a Spanish language class at FCC as well, where she was fondly known as Alicia.
She was an extraordinary and fierce athlete. Well into her 80s she played a very competitive game of golf. She brought equal fervor and skill to baseball, football and tennis. She did not like to lose. Card and board games were her specialty. She was always up for a round of pinocle, poker or Yahtzee, all during which she’d drink her whiskey and would proudly “cheat” to win.
But you didn’t try to pull a fast one on her. She was always a few steps ahead. She had seen enough life to earn that advantage.
A true character in every sense of the word, she lived a long and eventful life and will be missed by the hundreds of friends she accumulated along the way. Those who knew her well aptly describe her as “hell on Wheels.” She had her moments.
She is survived by daughter Mindy (Larry) Smith, son Tim (Jeanie) Dieterich, grandchildren Adrienne (Gene) Stonebarger and Tyler Stevens, great-grandchildren Frankie, AJ and Shea Stonebarger, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her loving extended family of Dave (Mary) Stevens, Laurie (Wally) Antonellis, Nyla Hallum and JJ and Roger Fagar.
Her devoted family and friends are grateful to each of her loving caregivers, the staff of Garden Isle Rehabilitation & Healthcare and Kaua‘i Hospice for her wellbeing over the years.
Plans for a service are pending.
Paz Florida Coma Valenciano
Paz Florida Coma Valenciano, 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Lawa‘i, surrounded by family, on Nov. 23, 2021. She was born on Feb. 6, 1928, in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She retired as a groundskeeper for Olokele Sugar Company.
She was preceded in death by husband Mariano Diaz Valenciano, daughter Lourdes, parents Cleto and Pilar Coma and brother Victorino Coma.
She is survived by sister Rosalina Coma Dela Rosa of Dingras, Philippines, children June (Danford) Akuna, Macklin Valenciano, Audrey (Sara) Valenciano and Marida Dorado, all on Kaua‘i, and Selwyn (Shelyne) Valenciano of Aiea, O‘ahu, grandchildren Dayna Akuna (Andrew) Bosshard, Evan (Jen) Akuna, Cale (Mary Jane) Akuna, Mason (Logan) Akuna, Mcklyn Cole Valenciano, Shayla Agosto, Shaylin Valenciano, Windsor Flynn (John) Groshong, Christopher Flynn, Maren Dorado, Jarred Dorado, Rama Valenciano, Brodie Valenciano and Hunter Valenciano, and great-grandchildren Avery, Brynn, Carys, Daniel, David, Zoe, Lilia, Lahina, Koala‘i, Niko, Kanoa, Akira, Lucas, Olena, Jaeden, Kalaheo, Khloe and Kahiau, that she cared for throughout the years.
A private service was held.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Maggie V. Alayvilla
Maggie V. Alayvilla passed away on Nov. 27, 2021, at the age of 91 years old, in Lihu‘e. She was born on July 24, 1930, in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She was a retired waitress.
She was preceded in death by husband Benny V. Alayvilla.
She is survived by sons R. Glenn (Shirley) Alayvilla of Kalaheo, Benny (Teresa) Alayvilla Jr. of ‘Ele‘ele, daughter Debbie (Edwin) Yanagihara of Hanapepe, grandchildren Rachelle Asuncion, Alden Alayvilla, Glenda Alayvilla, Brandilyn Mira, Renee Yanagihara, Kristel Alayvilla, Shantelle Alayvilla, great-grandchildren Chasen Alayvilla, Chestin Ramelb, Jeyvin Ramelb, Jeylah Asuncion, Iris Ragasa, Roslend Ragasa, Liam Mira and Tehia Chun, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private services will be held.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Josephine ‘Sefa’ Mary dela Torre
Josephine “Sefa” Mary dela Torre, 89, formerly from Kekaha, passed away on Sept. 8, 2020, at her daughters’ home in Wailua Houselots. She was born April 11, 1931.
She was preceded in death by husband Daniel dela Torre and brother Raymond (Linda) Moreno.
She is survived by daughter Alison (Michael) Fernandes of Wailua Houselots and Gary (Carol) dela Torre of Oregon, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and brother Maxie (Flora) Moreno.
A celebration of life is Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at St. Catherine Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing are required.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
