Claudia Vere Kekauoha

It is with overwhelming love and shattering grief that we announce the passing of our mother, Claudia Vere Edmunds Kekauoha. We are not quite sure how broken hearts can also be so full of gratitude and love, but here we are.

Our mother was born on August 18, 1943 to Martha Beth Green and George F. Edmunds, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She had a childhood full of joy, especially with her bestest sister Suzanne. She delighted in telling us stories of summers at Loon Lake, road trips with her family, living in Massachusetts, playing at her Grandma Green’s and so many other memories with beloved family members. We can still hear her laughter and delight as she told us of watching Elvis Presley movies with her Mom and sister or collecting pollywogs in the summer. Beth and George were later divorced and Beth remarried Maurice Hansen. Our mother loved them all dearly.

She graduated from Olympus High School and then went on to graduate from the University of Utah with both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She taught school both in Utah and Hawaii but spent the majority of her career teaching at Kahuku High School. She was a phenomenal and dedicated teacher for many, many years and changed the lives of many children.

In 1969 she made the fabulous and fun decision to take a job teaching in Hawaii, where she met our father, Samuel Nahinu Kekauoha. She had promised her Mom that she would come back home to Utah, but once she met our Dad, she stayed in paradise with the love of her life. Mom and Dad were married and sealed for Time and all Eternity on June 13, 1970, in the Laie, Hawaii Temple. They welcomed 5 daughters and spent the rest of their lives in Laie, raising their family and serving the Lord. Mom was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent her days teaching her girls to love the Lord. Her faith and trust in her Heavenly Father is legendary and will no doubt sustain her ohana in the coming days and years without her loving guidance.

Our Mom loved to laugh, she collected cartoons and would often call us to share how funny she thought the jokes were. She loved to bake bread, read good books, watch old movies, NCIS, Jeopardy and swim. She valued people and relationships over things, and she was the best friend to so many people. She spent her life serving the people around her with love and kindness, but most especially her family. She was our constant cheerleader and always, always believed that we could do whatever goal we set for ourselves. She loved to brag about her kids and grandkids nonstop and we are so grateful- we always felt loved unconditionally. And she gave the best hugs. Even towards the end, when her health was failing, her hugs and her love for us came through strong and clear. We love you and cannot wait to share laughter and hugs once again.

Claudia is survived by her beloved husband and eternal companion, Samuel Nahinu Kekauoha and their 5 daughters Pua (Marty) VanHaaften, Lilia (Kanamu) Tollefsen, Kahanu (Dave) Brubaker, Kahi (Mike) Winget and Nia Kekauoha. She is also survived by her 24 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews who brought her endless amounts of joy. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, her brother-in-law, and many other beloved friends and family.

Our ohana wishes to thank all those who helped us care for our Mom. The family, friends, nurses and people who showed unfailing kindness to our Mom and our family have changed us forever. We wish we could thank you all individually, but please know that we are so incredibly grateful and hope that we can return the love and kindness. We love you and thank you all with the utmost gratitude.