Obituaries for Sunday, September 13, 2020
JoAnn Heen Leonardini
JoAnn Heen Leonardini
May 21, 1942 – July 26, 2020
JoAnn‘s journey carried her from the artichoke-filled fields of North Monterey County, California, to Oregon, Hawai‘i, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Honolulu, Kapa‘a, and Jerusalem before returning home to her family and children. The roads in between these places were filled with her vibrant spirit of exploration, passion, art, humor and lifelong friendships.
Born on May 21, 1942, to Antone and Irma Leonardini, she grew up with her brother Tony on the family’s artichoke ranch. She attended Palma High School and the University of Oregon. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in anthropology in 1965, she travelled to Hawai‘i, where she met her future husband George “Trippy” Heen. They married in 1968 and settled in California, where she taught and they raised their children, Stephen and Heather. After she and George divorced, JoAnn pursued her love of painting and eventually left teaching to earn her master’s degree in fine arts from San Jose State University in 1987. As well as a visual artist and photographer, she was an accomplished pianist. Her love of music led to her involvement with the Monterey jazz scene. In Monterey, she met jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player Jack “Jackie” Coon. In 2003, JoAnn and Jack transitioned to a quiet, but full life in Kapa‘a, enjoying the spirit of the Islands.
After Jack’s passing, she renewed her interest in native Hawaiian music and connected with a community of traditional Hawaiian musicians in Honolulu. In Honolulu, she also met new friends who rekindled her interest in archaeology and traveled with her to Jerusalem. Her final journey was away from her beloved life in Kapa‘a and back home to her children, Stephen and Heather Heen, in California. She bravely faced a diagnosis of ALS but still connected and visited with dear friends and family members, maintaining her mental acuity as her physical functioning faded.
She is survived by daughter Heather, son Stephen, brother Tony and his family, and her pet family. Visit her memorial page to share stories, videos and photos at everloved.com/life-of/joann-heen-leonardini/obituary/.
Sally S. Sagucio
Sally S. Sagucio of Hanapepe passed away on Aug. 18, 2020, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital. She was born on Sept. 15, 1945, in the Philippines. She was a housekeeper.
She was preceded in death by parents Alfonso and Augustina Sagucio.
She is survived by brothers Al (Edna) Sagucio Jr. of Las Vegas and Randolf (Josie) Sagucio of Hanapepe, sister Andrea Sagucio Verzola of California, nieces Leiloris And Joey, nephews Alden, Brandon, Russell, Jason and Cody, and great-nephew Aiden.
Friends may visit the family on Friday, Sept. 25, at Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary in Koloa, with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m.
There is limited seating, social distancing must be practiced, and masks are mandatory.
The burial will be private.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Wanda Leialoha Sardine
Wanda Leialoha Sardine, 68, of Hanama‘ulu, passed away on O‘ahu on Aug. 8, 2020. She was born on Wailuku, Maui, on Sept. 14, 1951.
She was preceded in death by mother Belinda Canape and father Martin Ka‘ana‘ana.
She is survived by daughters Joshlynn Sokau and Jezzy (Benny) Sokau, sons Justin Canape and Jeffrey Canape, and grandchildren Kailea, Jb, Christopher and Benny Jr.
A private memorial for family and friends will be held at a later date.
O‘ahu Cemetery and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Christopher Owen Hao Kauahi
Christopher Owen Hao Kauahi passed away peacefully with his beautiful wife by his side as she has been for the last 53 plus years, on Sept. 3, 2020, at his home in Anahola.
He was born on March 15, 1936, in Nawiliwili. He served in the U.S. Air Force and retired as an inspector with the Kaua‘i Police Department.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Ann Leialoha Kauahi, children Tammi LeiAloha (Api Malolo) Kauahi, Christopher Hao (Jeni) Kauahi and Herbert Kalani Kauahi, grandchildren Casey Kealoha (L‘ui Kanoho) Kaohelauli‘i Jr., Casen Kealoha (Nicole) Kaohelauli‘i, Sanoe Ku‘uipo (Rion Watson) Kaohelauli‘i, Crislyn Kauahi and Kaelan Kauahi, and great-grandchildren Khat Hardwick-Kaohelauli‘i, Raiden Kaohelauli‘i and Kira Kaohelauli‘i.
Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at St. Catherine Church in Kapa‘a, with viewing from 9 to 9:30 a.m., eulogy at 9:45 a.m. with Mass to follow. There will be limited seating. Burial will be at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe at 1 p.m.
Henry Fernandez
Henry Fernandez of Roy, Washington, passed away on Aug. 31, 2020, at the age of 74. He was born on Dec. 4, 1945 in Waimea. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam. He retired as a civilian worker at Ft. Lewis Army base in Washington.
He was preceded in death by father Ralph Dominador Fernandez of Kekaha, mother Rosita Aperto Naumu of Honolulu and brother Edward (Georgia) Fernandez of Kekaha.
He is survived by wife Carmen Sinek Fernandez, children Frank (Tricia) Sinek, Marie Monet (George Kimber) and Joe Sinek, grandchildren and great- grandchildren, brothers Melvin Fernandez of Portsmouth, Rhode Island and Daniel Fernandez of Kekaha, sisters Bernice Wade of Kekaha, Katherine Dilwith of Reno, Nevada, and Jeanette Pahota of Keizer, Oregon, maternal aunt Nora Aperto Cataluna of Koloa, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his celebration of life and internment will be announced at a later date. For more information please contact Daniel Fernandez, 337-1443.
Phillip Adrian Tanner
Phillip Adrian Tanner, age 74, was born Aug. 24, 1946, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and passed away at home in ‘Ele‘ele, on Aug. 30, 2020. He was a retired certified registered nurse anesthetist and was employed at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital for 21 years. After finishing nursing school in Ft. Worth, Texas, he volunteered for Vietnam, serving 15 months there, and returned to enter anesthesia school. After finishing school, he, his wife Elizabeth and son Scotty moved to Lincoln City, Oregon, in 1973. He was employed at North Lincoln Hospital, where he made many lifelong friends.
He loved the outdoors and quickly learned his passion for sailing, salmon fishing, crabbing, cross country and downhill skiing and winter snow camping. In 1988, he and his wife Elizabeth sailed from Newport, Oregon, to Hawai‘i, on their 36’ sailboat, Sixpence. Other sailing adventures took them to the San Juan Islands in Washington, the Columbia River in Oregon and Victoria, B.C., Canada
While in Hawai‘i, he and Elizabeth learned to scuba dive, which led them to travel to many of the Pacific Island nations, Australia and other parts around the world to their idealistic diving spots. He was an aerial photographer in the Kaua‘i Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol, a member of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club, the Kaua‘i Amateur Radio Club, The Port Allen Fishing Club and a life member of the Navy League.
He was preceded in death by mother Stella Mae Tanner (Baradel), father Robert Olan Tanner, brother John Tanner and nephew John Scott Tanner.
He is survived by loving wife Elizabeth, son Gregory Scott “Scotty” Tanner, grandsons Kyle, Anthony and Austin Tanner, great-granddaughters Huntleigh and Mia Tanner, niece Kelly Floyd, grand-niece Erin Taffort and great-grand-niece Lola Taffort.
The family would like to thank the staff and management at Kaua‘i Hospice, Dr. Barth and his staff, the Infusion Center at Wilcox Medical Center and Dr. Jenkins and his staff.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Josephine ‘Sefa’ Mary dela Torre
Josephine “Sefa” Mary dela Torre, 89, formerly from Kekaha, died Sept. 8, 2020, at her daughter’s house in Wailua Houselots. She was born April 11, 1931, and was a dedicated homemaker.
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 (Flor) Moreno.
Services will be held at a later date.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bernardo ‘Andong’ Juan
Bernardo “Andong” Juan of Lihu‘e passed away on Aug. 15, 2020, at his home at the age of 96. Born in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, he was a retired housekeeper for Waiohai Hotel in Po‘ipu.
He was preceded in death by parents Daniel and Elpidia Juan, brother Fernando Juan, and sisters Juaquina Quelnat and Monica Juan.
He is survived by wife Esperanza “Ansang” Juan of Lihu‘e, daughters Nora (Samuel) Corpuz of Lihu‘e and Nida (Raymundo) Barroga of Lihu‘e, sister Evelyn Cardinez, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Private services were held at an earlier date.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
