Obituaries for July 20, 2014
• Richard Furumoto • Semiona Tangonan • Melsena Montgomery • Baker Taniguchi • Celeste Lee • Judith Brennan • Ethel Wada • Ada Guerber • Evelyn Eto • Paul Akimoto
Richard Furumoto
Richard Jay Furumoto of Wailua Homesteads, Kauai passed away on July 2, 2014. An avid fisherman and hunter he worked for the banquet department at St. Regis Princeville, Kauai.
Preceded in death by his father Sueo Furumoto.
He is survived by his wife Amanda “Mandy” Furumoto; mother Beatrice and sisters, Alix (Lou) Jordain, Colene Shaefer, Avis (Gerard) Koerte; brothers, Mark (Tracie), Kerry, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Waikaea (Lihi) Small Boat Harbor, Kapaa, Kauai.
Semiona Tangonan
Semiona A. Tangonan of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii passed away on July 8, 2014 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at the age of 86. Born in the Philippines on December 17, 1927, she was a diet clerk for Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
Preceded in death by her husband, Pedro Tangonan and great grandson, Cyrus Prem.
She is survived by her sons, Cresanto Tangonan, Stanley (Elena) Tangonan; daughter, Madeline (Jordan Jr.) Tangonan-Kahananui; grandchildren, Michael Prem, Robert Tangonan, Cherisse Tangonan, Joshua Kahananui, John Kahananui, Jordyn Kahananui, Taelynn Tangonan, Tailee Tangonan, great grand daughter, Rhylee Prem, numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday July 26, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Church, Lihue. Visitation 8:00 A.M. Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Burial to follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary Koloa, Kauai.
Melsena Montgomery
Melsena Montgomery of Hanalei, Kauai passed away at 71 years of age on July 16, 2014. She was born on August 17, 1942, in Long Beach, California. “Mel” was a teacher for 21 years in Santa Cruz, California. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who truly enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. After retiring to Kauai, Mel loved to walk Hanalei bay, work in her garden, and watch the sunset. She became an accomplished picassiette mosaic artist and gifted all with her creations. She will be greatly missed by the Hanalei ohana she held dear.
Preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Helen Lease.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Montgomery, sons, Peter Montgomery and Michael Montgomery; 3 grandchildren, Grace, Meredith and John; and brother, Larry Lease.
A celebration of her life was held in May as a “Mahalo” party while Melsena was still able to share her aloha and gratitude with all. There will be a private memorial. Donations may be sent to Kauai Hospice.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Montgomery family with arrangements.
Baker Taniguchi
Baker Takeshi Taniguchi passed away on July 16, 2014 at Waimea at age 94. He was born on February 5, 1920 in Waimea, Kauai. He managed the family’s Waimea Bakery during the WWII era and later went into the insurance business.
Preceded in death by his parents, Yenzo and Iwae Taniguchi, sisters Roseline Ikeno and Sumiko Metivier, and brother Edsil Taniguchi.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kazue Kamishita Taniguchi; sons, Chad (Myra Munekata) Taniguchi of Kailua, Oahu and Donn (Maile) Taniguchi of Kalaheo, Kauai; brothers Hisao (Jackie) Taniguchi of Niu Valley, Oahu, Eisei (Hazel) Taniguchi of Torrance, CA, and Dexter (Naomi) Taniguchi of Nuuanu, Oahu; sisters Yukie Kato of Nuuanu, Oahu, Yayoi Sabra Toma of Makiki, Oahu, and Jane (Herbert) Okamoto of Tustin, CA, two grandchildren, Alana (Alexsandro Arasawa) Taniguchi of Kailua, Oahu and Todd (Vivien Ong) Taniguchi of Singapore; one great-grandchild, Elis Emalani Arasawa of Kailua, Oahu; and numerous nieces and nephews including Sara (Randall) Uyehara, Val (Kevin) Ko, and Hiroyuki (Yumiko) Mizutani.
Celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 25, 2014, at Waimea United Church of Christ (Foreign Church, old stone church), with visitation at 10 am and service at 11 am. Inurnment at Kauai Veterans Cemetery at 2:30 pm. Family suggests Kauai attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Celeste Lee
Celeste June “CJ” Lee passed away on July 11, 2014 at the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital at the age of 69. Born on March 8, 1945 in Puunene, Maui. She retired in 1991 from Maui Memorial Hospital after 21 years and then retired again from Hawai`i Pacific Health in June 2013 after 20 years as a Professional Coder.
Preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Solomon Lee and Mabel Cambra Lee.
She is survived by her daughter, Zoya (Kyle) Lee-Zerkel of Manassas, Virginia; grandsons, Dylan Kaupe, of Anchorage, Alaska; Kyle Oliver Zerkel and Noah Zerkel of Manassas, Virginia; sister, Leona (June Jones) Yap of Kahului, Maui; brothers, Solomon (Jeanette) Lee of Pukalani, Maui, Curtis (Ella Midge) Lee of Makawao, Maui, Bruce (Joanne) Lee of Pukalani, Maui; god-daughter, Aloha Mapuana Thompson of Wailuku, Maui; Best friend, Valerie Winchester, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and aunties.
A celebration of Life will be held at the Kaua`i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. and burial to follow. There will be a second memorial in Maui at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
Judith Brennan
Judith E. Brennan, age 78, died unexpectedly Friday July 11, 2014 at a local hospital. A resident of Kilauea, island of Kauai, HI, Judy and her husband Fran had lived in Brunswick Maine for many years and had returned for the summer to spend time with friends and family.
Judy was born February 9, 1936 in Brighton, NY, a daughter of Frederick Milton and Helen Jean Miller Benz. She received her BA from the University of Rochester, NY, where she met her husband William “Fran” Brennan. The couple married in Rochester on August 15, 1958.
During her husband’s service in the US Marine Corps, Judy taught elementary school throughout the country, including California and Virginia. They then moved to the East Coast as Fran pursued a career in the insurance industry, residing for over twenty years in Connecticut and subsequently in Maine where they lived for over a decade. For the twenty years following Fran’s retirement, Judy and Fran have made their home on the island of Kauai but have always kept close ties to the Brunswick area.
Judy’s life was devoted to her family, church, and helping others. She was a dedicated contributor to local Maine organizations including Habitat for Humanity, The Tedford Shelter, and Jane’s Team at First Parish Church in Brunswick where she was an active member. Judy was also a very involved member of the Church of the Pacific in Princeville, HI, where she was secretary and a volunteer at the church’s food pantry.
A dedicated musician, Judy played handbells as a member of the Bell Choir at First Parish Church. She played the flute for her congregation in Princeville and made practicing a part of her daily routine. An aficionado of the TV show Jeopardy; an avid kayaker; an equestrienne; and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Judy displayed an extraordinary zest for life.
She was predeceased by a son, Dr. Matthew Tyler Brennan and a sister, Dr. Laurie Jean Benz.
Judy is survived by her husband of Kauai, HI; a son, Seth Brennan and his wife Elizabeth of Newton, MA; two daughters, Jennifer Brennan Swindell and her husband Thomas of Vienna, VA, Amy Brennan Mohn and her husband Bryan of Southborough, MA; and nine adored grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Jane’s Team, First Parish Church, 9 Cleaveland Street, Brunswick Maine, or to the Kauai Humane Society, 3-825 Kaumualii Hwy Lihue, HI 96766.
A memorial service will take place on Friday, August 22nd at 2:00 P.M. at the First Parish Church in Brunswick. A service in Princeville may be announced at a later date. Interment will take place, beside her son, in Growstown Cemetery, Brunswick. Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
Ethel Wada
Ethel Ayako Wada of Anahola passed away on June 24, 2014 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital at age 85. Born on February 5, 1929 in Lihue, Kauai, she was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband Jacob Wada, sons, Wayne (May) Wada of Lihue, Miles (Cynthia) Wada of California, and Calvin (Jan) Wada of Kealia, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her aunt and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Private Services. No koden.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
Ada Guerber
Ada S. Guerber of Jensen Beach, Florida Passed away at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on July 11, 2014 at the age of 95. Born on August 26, 1918 in Pennsylvania.
Preceded in death by her husband, Edward A Guerber.
Survived by her sons, Jim Guerber, Kauai; John (Claudia) Guerber, Arkansas; daughter, Jane (Martin) Kilmer, Oregon; 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews and cousins and friends.
A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary Koloa, Kauai.
Evelyn Eto
Evelyn Yoriko Sekiguchi Eto of Lihue, Kauai passed away on June 26, at Hale Kapuna Care Home at the age of 90. She was born in Honolulu on April 2, 1924. Well known as the “China Department Lady”, she worked for both Kauai Stores and Liberty House as a salesclerk until retiring in 1994.
Preceded in death are husband, Tad Eto and grandson, Dustin Edward Morita.
She is survived by her three children, Sheryl Jean (Steven) Urabe of Honolulu, Evien (Ana) Eto of Kona, Sheryn Sue (Mark) Morioka of Lihue, and grandson, Reyn Thomas Morioka of Lihue. Also surviving is brother, Larry (Alma) Sekiguchi, sisters Ruby (Lawrence) Shobu and Gladys (Tee) Isono, brother-in-law Eddie (Amy) Koizumi, brother-in-law Gilbert (Rose) Eto, sisters-in-law Evelyn (Dennis) Matsuda and June (Howard) Oda and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at Punchbowl Veterans Cemetery on Friday, July 25th in Honolulu.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Paul Akimoto
Paul Tatsuo Akimoto passed away at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on June 25, 2014 at the age of 79.
Preceded in death by his father Jitsuo and mother Chiyo.
He is survived by his brothers Wallace and Alvin; sisters, Alice Isoda, Bernice (Harry) Kondo, and Violet Onishi, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Private service was held. No Koden please.
Arrangements by Borthwick Kauai Mortuary.
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