Elaine Valois
On Dec. 25, 2024, we lost a dear friend, a deeply respected teacher, and a generous source of support, courage, and inspiration.
Elaine Valois, dancer, choreographer, and educator, died peacefully with little advance warning at Kauai’s Wilcox Medical Center following a stroke. She was blessed to remain fully aware of her relationships and of her surroundings as she navigated her final transition (Elaine’s preferred term for death) with steadfast grace and determination. This was the way she had lived her entire 96 years.
Elaine was born Ellin Elaine Fruchey on Aug. 27, 1928, in Napoleon, a small Ohio town surrounded by rich green fields of corn and soybeans. She was petite, attractive, and intense from the outset. Some might even call her fiery, and she fought to keep pace with her strong and handsome older brothers. She was close to her maternal grandmother, “Mamie,” who’d once been a circus performer, and as Elaine came of age in the golden age of Hollywood, Broadway, and the likes of Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, she would choose to become a dancer.
Arts and Master’s Degrees from Ohio’s Bowling Green University opened her eyes to the power of combining education with creativity. By the 1950s, she had graduated, fallen in love, and married a charming Bostonian named Richard Valois. Together, they made their way to Paris, where Elaine continued to explore the revolutions of Western 20th Century Art and began to imagine her own place within its creative innovations.
Returning to Ohio, she embraced motherhood, gardened with passion, convinced her neighborhood to recycle long before it was a thing, and founded two dance studios, Defiance School of Dance and Maumee School of Ballet, as well as The Toledo Dance Theater. By 1967, she took her talents to the University of Toledo, College of Education. In 1971, in partnership with the theater department, she wrote, produced, and directed a stage version of “Tommy,” based on the rock opera by The Who. A few years later, in 1974, she formed The Valois Company of Dancers, which developed over fifty original productions and averaged thirty residencies and workshops per year.
From the 1960s onward, Elaine studied with influential figures of American modern dance, including Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Alvin Ailey, and Erik Hawkins. As well, she dove deeply into the Human Potential Movement with early founders Jean Houston and Robert Masters.
She wove her experiences into her curriculum, forging her passions for dance, healing, and spirituality into a unique offering called “The World of Dance as Living History.” The organization, Ohio Dances, called her “the base and backbone of modern dance in Northwestern Ohio.” She retired from University of Toledo as a full professor in 1997 and moved to Kauai in 1998.
On Kauai, Elaine fully embraced the “aloha” spirit. Her annual New Year’s Day brunches were legendary, and the door of her small house in Kapaa was almost always open for holidays, birthdays, movie nights, and just hanging out. She continued teaching dance, movement, and creativity workshops and was involved in environmental activism on the island.
For Elaine, family held enormous importance. Over the decades, students of dance and pilgrims on the path of creative self expression became cherished extended family.
She was predeceased by former husband, Richard Valois, and their beloved daughter, Kathy, as well as by Elaine’s two brothers, Don and Jack Fruchey, and nephew Gary Fruchey.
She is survived by her son, Richard (Ric) Valois of Great Falls, Montana; Ohio nephews Mark, Michael, Paul, Keith, and Mathew Fruchey; by her niece, Mary Beth Hawkes and several grand nephews and nieces, including April Bosshard and Lauren Lessley of British Columbia, Canada. Also surviving closer to home is Lester Gale, Elaine’s loving Kauai companion who accompanied her with devotion to the very end.
A Celebration of Elaine’s Life will take place at the Lydgate Pavilion on April 26, 2025, between 2 to 6 p.m. Dancing will be encouraged.
Linda Kelekoma
Linda Kelekoma, of Anahola, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 3, 2025, at the age of 77. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 19, 1947, and retired from the Hawaii State Department of Education.
Linda was preceded in passing by her beloved husband and soul mate Ainsley Kelekoma, parents John and Alice (nee Remle) Luther, brother-in-law David E. Wilson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Luella “Tida” and Gilbert Moniz Sr, Darlene and Al Oshiro, brothers-in-law Franklin “Sonny” Kelekoma, Alexander “Alika” Kelekoma and sister-in-law Leonora Kelekoma.
She is survived by sons Kalen (Sorrel Weiss) Kelekoma, John (Jillian) Kelekoma, grandchildren Keanna Woodward, Olivia Kelekoma, Keola, Mana, and Jasmine Kelekoma, sister Ardeth Wilson, brothers-in-law Clay Kelekoma Sr., David (Chris) Kelekoma, sisters-in-law Tomie Kelekoma, Molly Kuhaulua, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Known for her radiant spirit, generosity, and love of all things sparkly, Linda brought joy and kindness to everyone she met. Linda’s life was a celebration of love, faith, and selflessness. Her memory will shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew her, and we find comfort knowing she and Ainsley are dancing together again in Heaven.
Services will be held on Feb. 1, 2025, at Kapaa Missionary Church. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the service.
Frank Cecilio Nadarisay Sr.
Frank Cecilio Nadarisay Sr., 78, of Puhi, passed away on Jan. 5, 2025, in Lihue. He was born on Nov. 17, 1946, in Lihue. He served 2 tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and retired after 42 years of service with the County of Kauai Engineering Department.
He was preceded in death by parents Cecilio and Hertrodis Nadarisay, brothers Raymond Villatora, Victorino Villatora, Benardo Nadarisay, sisters Gregoria Caberto and Mercedes Ines.
He is survived by wife Colleen Chow Nadarisay, son Frank Cecilio Nadarisay Jr., daughters Lisa (Daniel) Rapozo, Lea (Darwin “Zoom”) Bukoski, grandchildren Kaiwi Nadarisay-Bejo, Jaime “Kaimi” Gonzalez, Wailana Bukoski, Kainalu Nadarisay, Darwin “Haka” Bukoski, Kainoa Rapozo, great-granddaughter Anuhea Nadarisay-Bejo, brothers Benny (Marina) Villatora, Antonio (Candace) Nadarisay, sisters Diane Vierra, Florencia Alviar, Julie Lopez, Delores Alimboyogen, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Garden Island Mortuary. Viewing begins at 9 a.m., service at 10:30 a.m., and burial will follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.