Laurenia Tehada Chun

October 27, 1934 – May 17, 2025

Laurenia T. Chun, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and pillar of her ohana, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025, at the age of 90. Her vibrant spirit, unwavering love, and adventurous heart left a lasting legacy for all who knew her.

Born on October 27, 1934, Laurenia was a proud member of the very first graduating class of James B. Castle High School in 1953, where she served as a cheerleader and ignited a lifelong passion for joyful living and connection. She went on to live a life full of movement and meaning—teaching swing dance, competing on the tennis court well into her later years, and traveling the world with the curiosity and grace that defined her.

She was the devoted mother of Dr. Russell Chun (Trudy Chun), Roxanne Sato (Wesley Sato), Rhonda Kai (Geoffrey Kai), and the late Rodney Chun. Her love and influence extended deeply into the lives of her grandchildren—Kerilyn Kotani (Makoto Kotani), Dr. Lauren (Mahina) Lee (Jacob Lee), Erin Sato, Ashley Endo, Evan Endo, Kaitlyn Kai, Kameron Kai, Nikoletta Chun, SGT Levente Chun, and 2LT Andrea Chun—each of whom carries forward a piece of her legacy. Her joy was made complete with the arrival of her great-granddaughter, Emma, whose smile lit up Laurenia’s later years.

Laurenia will be remembered not only for her warmth, strength, and elegance, but also for her laughter, her infectious energy, and her ability to make everyone around her feel seen and cherished. Whether teaching a new dance step, boarding a flight to a new destination, or cheering from the sidelines of her grandchildren’s lives, she brought light and love wherever she went. Her ohana takes comfort in knowing that her memory lives on in the lives she touched and the love she gave so freely.

Celebration of Life Services

Los Angeles, California

Saturday, July 5, 2025 • 2:00 PM

Faith United Methodist Church

2115 W. 182nd Street, Torrance, CA 90504

Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi

Friday, July 11, 2025 • 9:00 AM

Hawaiʻi Memorial Park

45-425 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāneʻohe, HI 96744

In Lieu of Flowers

The family kindly invites donations to causes close to Laurenia’s heart and spiritual home:

Faith United Methodist Church, Torrance (host of the California service):

Online Giving – Growing Deeper, Going Farther:

https://faithsouthbay.org/give

GoodSports International, where Laurenia faithfully sponsored a transition center for orphans in Hungary:

https://faithandlearning.org/projects/goodsports-ukraine/

442nd Regimental Combat Team Foundation, honoring Japanese American WWII veterans:

https://www.442nd.org

Forever in our hearts.