Wow, thank you again, Charlene.   Almighty God works in strange ways, and  tonight I randomly  googled  the name of my college roommate of 50  years ago, only to see you bring her back into my life as the person  delivering your eulogy.   That you continued to touch  all who knew you after your years at the College of the Holy Names is no surprise to me.   You changed my life when you came into my dorm room at the end of my freshman year and talked to me about your cousin and possibly rooming with her the following year.   Lynn was a blessing to me through the next three years.  We saw each other through the normal ups and downs  of college life, and some not so normal - you gave me the anchor which I needed much more than I realized  during those years.   After Commencement,  I spent the summer with  Lynn and all of your family on Ohau , again life-changing  because  I had been headed in a direction which was not right for me and which  I realized while there.   The fall found us student-teaching in Oakland and sharing an apartment and more defining experiences,  before  we went our separate ways, and eventually lost touch.    I have always wanted to reconnect with Lynn to  catch up and to thank her for being  such an important part of those years for me.    However, it is you, Charlene, who really made it all possible, and I am enormously  grateful to you.   Thank you,  for you were truly God's  crafter and instrument on this earth,  who has touched lives well  beyond  the scope of your awareness.   God bless,  Jeremey

















Sacred Heart Academy Class of 1960 at Charlene's Memorial Mass

Eulogy (continued)
And let me interject a lighter side of Cluis. I love mangoes! I have never been successful at growing a mango tree or even having one produce mangoes. Whenever I came to Oahu and stayed with Charlene, it was understood that I craved mangoes and had to eat some. So what would she do? She called every friend of hers who had a productive mango tree, begging them for a bag of mangoes for her poor deprived cousin! And the summers I didn’t come down, she would send me a photo of herself surrounded by a pile of mangoes and one in her hand as if she was ready to take a bite out of it. That’s my Cluis!

Lastly, Charlene made significant monetary contributions to her parish church as well as to organizations in need. The Sacred Heart sisters are very grateful to Charlene for her very generous monetary contributions for their missions in India and the Philippines over past years.

Bottom line……..Charlene Ruth Luis earned her wings long before April 21st , 2019! May she rest in the love and peace of the Risen Lord!


Eulogy (continued)
My cousin was a very generous person. If you admired something of hers, especially an item that was new or unique, you had better not make a big deal of talking about it. Because if you showed too much enthusiasm for that item, then you would find that same item in a UPS box at your front door. I know because I experienced it several times. I remember the first time I saw her RUMBA. I was fascinated with it, talking about how cool it was and on and on. Well, by the time I flew back to Florida, there was a RUMBA waiting for me in a box at my front door. And once I received “market totes” for grocery shopping long before recycling was popular. Who would know??? Only Charlene!

On numerous occasions Charlene opened up her home to friends and family, whether it was a meeting for SHA classmates or just gatherings for friends and family.
When I got married and moved to Florida with my husband, my parents continued to live here on Oahu. Well they were in good hands because Charlene stepped right in checking up on them, socializing with them and being available whenever they were in need. In fact, after my mother passed away, she continued this process with my father. And when my dad could no longer live on his own and care for himself, she took him into her home caring for him for several months until I could bring him to my home in Florida. 

But it wasn’t just family she looked out for. I remember a lovely older lady she befriended, Mabel Neves. She started bringing communion to her in her home. Soon she was picking her up for Saturday vigil mass, followed by dinner at either a restaurant or at her house. And sometimes she took Mabel shopping. Aunty Mabel was now “ Ohana”!


Eulogy (continued)

After high school, Charlene went on to Oakland, California, where she attended College of the Holy Names. Upon graduation she took a job as a social worker in Santa Rosa, California and worked there several years. Then she moved back to Oahu where she became employed as a social worker for the Department of Education. At the same time she completed her Masters degree.

Back to her roots, she joined her Academy class graduates, hosting meetings and planning outings and trips for the class of “60”. You could always count on Cluis getting the job done. I remember joining her classmates on a cruise to Alaska. What?? No priest on board for Sunday mass out at sea? Charlene had it covered. She brought communion for everyone and held mass in her cabin.

Charlene was very involved in her parish church, Holy Trinity. She served as Sacristan for many years. She  was also Eucharistic Minister at mass and served communion to homebound Catholics as well as hospitalized Catholics. At Holy Trinity Charlene organized and headed a church cleaning crew. Every Saturday morning, rain or shine, she and her crew vacuumed, polished, and readied the church for Saturday vigil mass as well as Sunday masses. That church sparkled! I know  because I worked with that cleaning crew whenever I came to Oahu and visited with her. She also did other things like making a huge pot of Portuguese Bean soup for The International Food Festival at the church. Or make arrangements for craft day for a fund raiser benefiting the church.


Eulogy (continued)


We attended Sacred Hearts Convent ( Kindergarten though 9th grade) together, although she was a grade ahead of me. She was always at the top of her class. I clearly remember during recess one day, a girl confronting me “ in a very aggressive manner”, when, “Lo and Behold”, Charlene shows up, giving that girl a choice to “Leave Lynda alone and walk away, or to get punched in the face, as Charlene grabbed the collar of her uniform. That girl never bothered me again. 

Then we spent High School together at Sacred Hearts Academy (10th through 12th grade). Charlene excelled academically as an Honor student during her three years at the Academy. Once again she was always first on the Honor Roll. I remember Sr. Jean Louise walking up to me one day and asking me why I was not first on the Honor Roll like my cousin Charlene Luis. I was shocked at her question, because in my mind THE HONOR ROLL was a feat in itself for me, let alone being FIRST in class! 

Besides holding a high grade point average, Charlene was also active in Extra Curricular activities. She was Treasure, on the Shield Staff (school newspaper), Associate Editor of The Audion Staff (school yearbook), Librarian, ROTC sponsor as well as Lead Cheerleader for St. Louis High School. In the yearbook, under each seniors picture there was always a quote by someone famous which best described each young lady. Charlene’s quote was by Tennyson. It read, “Strong in will to strive, to seek, to find”!



Eulogy     (1st half)
              
I  have been given 10 minutes to talk about Charlene Ruth Luis. Really? Only 10 minutes to deliver her Eulogy? In life, anyone who didn’t know Charlene would have thought that she is just plain and ordinary. That being so, then a 10 minute Eulogy would be sufficient. But in reality, Charlene was unique and extraordinary! Charlene was compassionate, intelligent, dependable, and extremely generous.

Recently I attended a Broadway show called “Hamilton”. It was a very moving rap opera about the life of Alexander Hamilton. The final song at the close of this musical is a reflection on, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”! With that in mind, I am going to attempt to tell you Charlene’s story, reflecting on her intelligence, compassion, dependability, and her overabundant generosity.

Charlene Ruth Luis was born on February 7, 1943 to Robert and Adeline Luis. She was their second child and only daughter.

1943 was a very special year for the four Robello sisters. Each sister had a baby. Adeline’s daughter , Charlene, was the first born, followed by Alice Fivella’s son, William, then Angeline Pinho’s son Russell, and finally Katherine Rodrigues daughter, Lyndanette.

The Robello Family was a very close knit family who always gathered together for every holiday, religious celebrations, as well as two weeks in the summer at a beach home. 
These four cousins played together, prayed together, ate together, and fought together. And Charlene was “the leader of our pack” in every attempted activity. 

But it was Charlene and I who spent the majority of our time together. Before we ever started school, we spent Monday through Friday of each week day at our grandparents home on Huna Lane. We were polar opposites, but I learned quickly that “ discretion was the better part of valor”! Our love for one another was unspoken, but clearly understood!



I'm in tears! I am so very, very sad to learn of Charlene's passing. I truly loved her radical attitude...she was such a lovable character. We were all blessed by her friendship and her generous and gracious hospitality. I'm also sad that I missed seeing her recently. 
I was blessed to become her friend when I became a member of our Class Board. We held many meetings at her home. Her kindness, generosity and gracious hospitality will be long remembered. She made us all feel so welcome and comfortable that nobody wanted to go home. I will miss that `kolohe' twinkle in her big beautiful eyes when she referred to me as "cuz" as we shared a glass of white wine. Do you know that she even cooked a meal and invited the EMTs who frequently came to her home? She will be missed by many. May the Good Lord keep you in His care until then

Connie Murphy


As for memories of Charlene:  1.  She didn't like being photographed; she would do a finger wave.  2.  She had a big heart:  offering rides to non-drivers; offered her home for meetings and gatherings; 3.  She enjoyed traveling and made arrangements for mass on cruises.  4.  She was very active in her church community; she made arrangements for a craft day with Sandy, Carolyn, Meta (I don't remember the others) for a possible fund raiser. Charlene was such a kind and giving person that the person chosen to do the eulogy will have lots of beautiful memories to share.
Janet Miyashiro
I have seen little of Charlene since our school days, but the short times with her were enough to reinforce in my mind the great strength of her character and the genuine good will she radiated. I feel fortunate to have known her and have had her embroidered in the fabric of my life. 
Kristin Miller
The Sacred Hearts Sisters are very grateful to Charlene for her generous monetary contributions for our Missions in India and Philippines for the past years.  May she rest in the love and peace of the Risen Lord!!
Sister Rose Henry
I remember Charlene as always being the smartest in our class from grade school throughout high school. She was always chosen to play the part of the Virgin Mary in our Christmas play every year in grade school. I’m sure she is in heaven with our Blessed Virgin Mary. She was kind and I never heard a harsh word from her. I will miss seeing her at the market and shopping. I still can’t believe she is gone. I’m sure she is watching over us.  
Flora Miyamoto


Remenbrances of Charlene from her Sacred Hearts classmates:
I'm filled with gratitude that I got to see her one last time at lunch on the 11th & feel even more blessed to be able to call her friend. There wasn't a mean bone in her body. She will be surely missed by all of us. God bless her.
Meta Rittmeister
Charlene was indeed an angel and found so much good that she could and did do!
Elizabeth Kiai
What a beautiful day to go home to the Lord. May eternal light shine upon her, and May she rest in peace, Amen!
Luella Malkin
This news is very difficult for me.  Charlene was part of my “inner circle” of childhood buddies.  I remember her as a CAN DO person, and a natural leader with an artful manner which made us willingly follow her leadership.  She successfully led the yearbook student team and warded off the “influence" of Sister M. D. whenever they wanted and could.  She spent some time as a “veteran librarian” as did I, and we shared the same classes and teachers for 4 years.
A number of years ago, she complimented me by telling me that she had framed and hung the portrait drawing I did of her while at SHA…an example of the encouraging and supportive Charlene which I will remember.  As with all of our passing, I am saddened and mourn, and reflect on our own mortality.  I am trying to make the best of it by doing what I can now [Carpe Diem].
Julia Yoshida
So she passed on Easter Sunday?  She celebrated Christ’s resurrection in heaven!  Very fitting!  She was such a giving person.  I will miss her.  And knowing her, she won’t rest in peace.  We have someone looking out for us in heaven!
Sister Evelyn Mesina


I worked with Charlene for over 20 years for the Dept of Education. On the job she was super efficient and often a task master on her team. She was known as much for her strong opinions (which she never held back), as for her wit and humor. Off the job, her house was often a gathering place for her many circles of friends and family.  She hosted so many gatherings… baby showers, wedding showers, class reunions and even celebrations of celestial events like comets and eclipses. This was partly because she had a big house which she kept remarkably clean most of the time, but mostly, because she was so generous and welcoming to all. 
Charlene was always there to offer help when folks were in need. She did that in her job as a social worker, as a volunteer in her church and also as a friend to many.  She will be missed by all. 


Charlene was as transparent as one could be and when she included you in her circle of friends, you always knew what she was thinking and feeling.

Mel and I travelled with Charlene on just a couple of trips (Damian Canonization in Rome, Azores and Duoro River Cruise) but we laughed so much at each other’s antics which make those memories so very special.

When Mel had a heart issue and I was called to get to Straub ASAP, Charlene almost beat me to the hospital and got both of us laughing about how she claimed “sister” privileges to get into recovery room. Nothing deterred our friend from getting what she wanted😜.  

Charlene will always have a place in our ❤️ 

Charlene Luis my cousin.  Charlene remembered birthdays and special occasions and always offered prayers and blessings and was especially generous in providing help. Charlene and Carole inspected our townhome every other week for 10 years while we in Colorado.   Charlene was sensitive to unknows as there was reluctancy in checking behind a closed shower curtain.  After returning to Hawaii, Charlene’s and Carole’s culinary skills were  greatly appreciated.  At numerous occasions, I helped Charlene and Carole in fixing and repairing stuff and the reward was a special lunch or dinner.   I agreed to completely renovate Charlene’s and Carole’s kitchen and the reward was a dinner every night for about 5 weeks.  The food and drink were great. However, the lasting memories were the sharing, laughter and friendship.  Charlene was witty and intellectual, kind, loving and will be always loved for her passion to please and help.  Charlene’s place in heaven is special and we would be privileged to again share and laugh forever in friendship and love.
Aloha Nui Loa and God Bless forever
Russ and Patty


Back in 1973 when we opened our Texaco Service Station business Charlene and Carole Yatagai were some of our loyal customers whom we got to know. It was at this time that we realized how giving Charlene and Carole were.  Our second child was born in 1976, 44 years ago and Charlene and Carole both showed up at our home with a baby gift after learning I was becoming a father for the second time. As time went by, we also had  fond memories of going to dinner with Charlene and Carole Saturday nights after 5 pm Mass at Holy Trinity. Charlene always picked up Aunty Mabel Neves took her to church and to dinner at their home where Carole would be getting the dinner ready or Charlene would pick her up and we would meet  at either Zippy’s Outback Steakhouse, Aina Haina Chop Sui or ( Mabel’s favorite) McDonalds.  Whenever they would go on the the Interisland cruise  which if I remember correctly was 4 times, we were asked if we were going to be at our vacation home on the Big Island and we would pick them up when they docked in Hilo, take them around and then picked them up again the next day when they arrived in Kona and took them around. These were some of our fond memories, Charlene save a seat for us in heaven and hopefully we will be joining you up there. The Lord has allowed you with the heart of gold to enter into his kingdom. Aloha, A Hui Hou  and God’s  Blessings to All
Mike and Val Ishii

OBITUARY

Charlene Ruth Luis

7 February, 1943 – 21 April, 2019

Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Services

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