Setsuko Kobayashi
Setsuko Kobayashi passed away on Nov. 13, 2023, at her home in Koloa, Kaua‘i, at the age of 90. She was born in Koloa to Tokuichi and Kinu Hadama on March 4, 1933, and retired as a cook from the Wilcox Hospital cafeteria.
The youngest of 5 children, Setsuko and her siblings were invited by their neighbor in Omao to attend the “brown church” in Koloa. During her childhood days of attending Sunday School and learning about the Bible, Setsuko decided to place her faith and trust in Jesus and to receive Him as her personal Lord and Savior. She did her best to live a life committed to the Lord and to raise up her children and grandchildren according to the truth of God’s Word.
Setsuko will always be remembered for her sweet smile, her heart of gratitude and her ability to live in the moment. Although her memory declined in her final years, she never forgot to say thank you to family and friends she spent time with. The joy of the Lord continued to be her strength until she took her final breath here on earth. Setsuko loved doing word search puzzles and attending the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health Center where she enjoyed playing bingo, trivia and charades. She also loved singing and we know that she is now singing with the angels in her eternal home in heaven.
Setsuko was preceded in death by her husband Toshio Kobayashi, her parents Tokuichi and Kinu Hadama, her sisters Kiyono Sato and Shigeko Ogata and her brothers Richard Fumio Hadama and Walter Masami Hadama.
She is survived by her daughters Laurie (Michael) Depoe of ‘Ele‘ele and Lynne Kobayashi of Koloa, son Miles (Mary Jean) Kobayashi of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Jaycie, Sean, Kody, Allan Jeremy (Taylor), Mikaela, Madden and Arahbella, great-granddaughter Ayla, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Services will start at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow. Burial services will be held at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m. The family suggests casual attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
The family would like to extend a very special Mahalo to the Kaua‘i Hospice team for all their love, support and encouragement that they provided.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
MaryJane (Ruiz) Vegas
MaryJane (Ruiz) Vegas formerly of Kaua‘i and Kailua, born on Dec. 7, 1934, received her wings on Nov. 7, 2023.
She was pre-deceased by her husband of 60 years John Vegas, Sr.
She was preceded in death by sisters Rose Medeiros, Shirley Cambra, Millie Ruiz, brother Damascio Ruiz, Jr., brother-in-law Herbert Cambra and sister-in-law Edith Ruiz.
She is survived by brother Donald Ruiz, sister-in-law Thelma Ruiz, children Jeffrey Vegas (Kerena), Johnna Vegas, John Vegas, Jr. (Lisa), Jennifer Vegas, Jocelyn Awong (Tommy), 15 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, immediate family viewing at 9 a.m., public invited at 9:30 a.m., services to follow. Burial at Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.
A celebration of their lives will be held on Kaua‘i at a later date.
