Obituaries for Friday, June 21, 2024
Eloise Lehua Taniguchi
Eloise Lehua Taniguchi
Eloise Lehua Taniguchi, of Pakala, Kaua‘i, passed away on June 8, 2024, at her residence at the age of 84. She was born on Nov. 1, 1939, at Wilcox Hospital, Kaua‘i . Eloise was a retired custodian at Waimea Canyon School, happily married to her late husband for 59 years. She found joy in venturing with family and friends. Eloise was known for her open door policy, taking in anyone who needed a place to stay and her “read my lips” attitude. Eloise lived her life to the fullest and left peacefully surrounded by families and close friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Eddie Taniguchi Jr., parents Henry and Kila Kanoho, sons George Keoki Taniguchi, Eddie Taniguchi III, sisters Ruth Goo, Grathana Cabral, Iwalani Pimental Soares, Eldean Espiritu Diggs, brothers Steven Konoho, Waianuhea Kanoho, Bruce Kanoho and Henry Kanoho Jr.
She is survived by sons Roger (Lisa) Taniguchi of Pakala, Manuel Taniguchi of Lihu‘e, Eric Morris of Kalaheo, daughter Jasmine (Charlie) Taniguchi-Kahepu‘u of Kekaha, grandchildren Eloise Taniguchi, Wyatt, Cody Taniguchi, Hoku Taniguchi, Britney Koenig Taniguchi, Jessica, Eric Jr., Trixy, Ciara Morris, Alannah GIrod, Gabby, Nohili, Charlie Jr., Shania Kahepu‘u, 27 great-grandchildren, brothers Makalapua Ornellas, Harry Kanoho, sisters Leilani Suenaga, Noelani Ornellas, Jacquelyn (Greg) Figueira, numerous nieces and nephews.
A service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Garden Island Mortuary in Lawa‘i. Visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Followed by A Celebration of Life from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch to follow.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Teresita Lapitan Roche
Teresita Lapitan Roche, also known as “Terry” or “Tessie L. Butac,” of Medford, Oregon, and formerly from Kaua‘i, passed away on Jan. 23, 2024, at the age of 62, in Medford, Oregon. She was born on Feb. 3, 1961, in Isabela, Philippines. In 1975, Tessie moved with her family to Kaua‘i and graduated from Waimea High School and Cannon’s Business College.
Tessie is preceded in death by her father, Reymundo M. Butac of ‘Ele‘ele.
She is survived by her husband Alan Roche, of Boston, Massachusetts, son,David A. Roche, of Medford, Oregon, mother Socorro L. Butac, siblings Lydia Juan, Esperdion Butac (Rose), Maria Mizumoto (Douglas), Zoraida Shatzer (Carl, Jr.), Arsenio Butac (Angelita-deceased), Francisca Marshall (Justin), along with 16 nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews.
Tessie was a cherished member of her family and community in Hawai‘i and Oregon. Tessie was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, and work associate. She was a bank receptionist and retired from Rogue Federal Credit Union in Medford, Oregon, in 2023.
A celebration of life service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in ‘Ele‘ele, Hawai‘i, on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 4 p.m.
Emilia ‘Loling’ Respicio Galicinao
Emilia “Loling” Respicio Galicinao, of Kaumakani, passed away on May 21, 2024, in Waimea, Kaua‘i, at the age of 80. She was born on Jan. 9, 1944, in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was an agricultural field hand for Olokele Sugar Co. and Gay & Robinson.
She was preceded in death by husband Gregorio Cardona Galicinao, parents Braulio and Maria Lagundino Respicio, siblings Isabel, Rubio, Melicio, and Emilio Respicio.
She is survived by son Wayne Galicinao of Kaumakani, daughters Ella Galicinao of Makaweli, Georgeatte (Fred) Galicinao-Cayaban of ‘Ele‘ele, Tina Galicinao (Curtis Diamond) of Lihu‘e, grandchildren Ashley Rose Galicinao-Ripley of Honolulu, Bryson Cayaban of Texas, BreeAnn (Jordan) Cayaban Pineault of Texas, Braelyn Cayaban of Colorado, Justin Malabe (Tisha Remata) of Hanapepe, Javin Malabe of Lihu‘e, Tiani Malabe of Lihu‘e, great-grandchildren Qhaysen Remata Malabe of Hanapepe, Qhaiyah Malabe of Hanapepe, sister Cristina Respicio Gonzales of Philippines, cousins Marcelo Garvida, Lydia Beltran and Myrna Cacal of California, numerous nieces, nephews and other cousins.
A service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo. Visitation from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Mass at 10 a.m., and burial to follow at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Marilyn Geronimo Venzon
Marilyn Geronimo Venzon, 75, of Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i, passed away on May 14, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. She was born on June 11, 1948, in the Philippines. She was a sales associate at Liberty House, which later became Macy’s and retired in June 2023.
She was preceded in death by parents Prudencio Geronimo and Rosita Geronimo.
She is survived by husband Conrado (Raddy) Venzon, daughters Chastity (Fernando), Heidi (Matt), Radlynn (Brian), grandsons Xavier, Xavian, Kai of California, granddaughter Mia Elysse of Kaua‘i, brothers Ed (Rina) Geronimo of Honolulu, Hawai‘i, Arnel (Delia) Geronimo of Ontario, Canada, sisters Emma Geronimo of California, Josephine Sanchez, nephew Daniel Sanchez, niece Daphne (Mateo) Sanchez Halverson, brothers-in-law: Delano (Zena) Venzon, Nel (Cora) Venzon, Raul (Gigi) Venzon, Dindo Venzon, Nathan Venzon, sisters-in-law Yola (Dante) Galeon, Mae (Noel) Utrera, numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
On Kaua‘i: A Celebration of Life is Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 3 p.m.
On O‘ahu: A Memorial Service and Burial is Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Mililani Memorial Park, with service at 10:30 a.m.
Floris H. Wataya
Floris H. Wataya, of Kapa‘a, passed away on May 13, 2024, at the age of 98.
Floris was preceded in death by parents Minoru and Shizuko Tsunehiro Wataya, brother Tsukasa, sister Doris and sister-in-law Yachiyo Wataya.
Floris is survived by nieces Doreen Wataya, Arlene (Kurt) Bosshard, nephew Warren (Christine) Wataya, grandnephews Kyle Wataya, Kevin (Kayla) Wataya, grandnieces Lindsey Bosshard, Kelly (Kevin) Schwing, great-grandnephew Nathan Schwing, great-grandnieces Kinsley, Kaya Wataya. She also leaves behind numerous cousins.
Special thank you to Debra Bahnmiller, Amanda Phillips and Eileen Quetula and the Kaua‘i Hospice for their loving and compassionate care. We are forever grateful.
Private gathering held and family requests no koden.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Dorothy Marie Texeira Moura
Dorothy Marie Texeira Moura, of Kalaheo, passed away on May 21, 2024, at the age of 91. She was born on May 17, 1933, on Kaua‘i. She was manager of Duarte’s Liquor Store.
She was preceded in death by husband Albert Moura, parents Joseph and Elsie Texeira, brothers David (Dorothy) Texeira, Sonny (Millie) Texeira, Billy (Ida) Texeira, sisters Gussie (Bill) Souza, Beatrice Lang, Frances (Joe) Getler and Majorie (Jack) Bullock.
She is survived by daughters Marlene (Larry) Moises, Tanya (James) Brown, Audrey (Wayne) Bonilla, grandchildren Brandon (Brandi) Moises, Tyson (SheriAnn) Moises, Dustin (Kristi) Moises, Marissa (Mel) Purcell, Cody (Mele) Bonilla and 13 great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kalaheo. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., and burial will follow at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe.
Borthwick Kauai Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Susan Howie Burriss
Susan Howie Burriss, born Nov. 5, 1942, in Danbury, Connecticut, to Morton and Elizabeth Lawson Shepard. Died on June 12, 2024.
Sue was educated at MacDuffie School (for girls, in those days), Harvard, George Mason, and Santa Clara School of Law. She practiced law with her husband Dick for more than forty years in Silicon Valley and continued the practice long-distance after moving full-time to Kaua‘i.
Sue and Dick resided in the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoyed trail riding and camping in the Sierras with their horses. At various times in her life Sue was an accomplished musician, distance swimmer, and avid sailor. She enjoyed travel, learning and studying languages, as well as sewing, needlework and crafts. She volunteered her services in numerous endeavors including church and state and local government, as well as pro bono legal and judicial services.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Scott Burriss.
Susan is survived by children Harry Robert Howie, III (wife Jill), Brian Shepard Howie, Catherine Scott Burriss (wife Elaine Tse), grandchildren Samantha Dawn Howie, Harry Robert Howie IV, Boedhe Scott Burriss-Tse and Harper Burriss-Tse.