Name: Borthwick Mortuary
Address: Honolulu, HI

I'm so saddened by the news that Betty lou has passed. I'm one of her husbands patients and have known her for a long time. Seeing her bright smile in the office made my yearly visit more "comfortable".. She was always very pleasant and  made me feel at ease. I will truly miss her!  She was truly one of the angels here on earth- and now she's an angel up in heaven. Rest in peace Betty Lou, I know your smiling bright as ever up there!

Mrs. Betty Lou, you have been on my mind and even if i only knew you as Dr. O's office manager, i wanted to tell you you were one of the kindest, gentlest, and most gracious people i have ever met.  i will never forget you and will keep my memories of even running into you and Dr. O in Chinatown with your son... as precious, forever.  Aloha, sweet lady.

Every time I walk past our dining room table, I can't help but feel as if you've never left the room. Living with you for the short amount of time we had together, I couldn't help but chuckle every time I would walk past you lounging at the head of the dining table. Sometimes you were trying to figure out how to work the ipad and other times you sat there peacefully asleep. I am so blessed to have been fortunate enough to be in the presence of a true angel. You were the most selfless, generous, and kindest person I've ever met, and despite the short amount of time we really got to know one another, I am just so thankful for everything that you've done for me. No matter how weak or no matter how much in pain you were, you never hesitated to help lift a finger around the house whether it was making sure there were never dirty dishes in the sink or making sure all my clothes were carefully washed and folded. I will always remember you, as this isn't a goodbye but rather a see you later, and I will always love you forever.

Thank you Betty Lou for the wonderful memories.  
Whenever I pass by or visit William Sonoma, I think of you.  I have always shared your love of food and culinary experiences.  Your positive personality and outlook on life is an inspiration.  Mahalo for always sharing the kitchen clean up duties.  You're one of a kind!

You were a great grandma and were always such a selfless person.  Thank you for always doing the dishes for me so that I wouldn't have to do them.  I love the tupperware you got for us and think of you when I use it everyday to take my breakfast to school.  I'm glad I got to spend your last moments with you.  I will miss you.

I will never be able to look at another can of cream of mushroom soup again without thinking of you and all of the wonderful time-tested - old fashion dips you would make for us. As well as the pistachio cake with frosting, your famous barbecue pineapple ribs, perfectly diced in uniform small pieces of ingredients fried rice...how you eyes would like up when you talked about doing a crab cook fest.  I know you are heaven right now - surrounded by about 10 shiny red Kitchen Aid mixers all going at once concocting a new fabulous cookie or cake recipe.  We are happy that you are happy and at peace and that we have another "guardian angle" to watch over us.  Luv You!  Lisa Ontai (Honolulu, HI)

Betty,  Thank you for the love and support you gave us.  You were so kind and generous towards my family. I will miss the fun times and stories we shared. Aloha.

"I haaaaate blueberries!" This is just one of the many memories and good times I will always remember. You were always so kind and generous to everyone, putting the needs of others before your own. I'm grateful for the short time I got to spend with you before I left for college and I wanted to thank you for the kindness and generosity you showed my family and I. I will miss you Aunty Betty Lou.

They say you never get to really know someone until you have lived with them.  You were a wonderful houseguest, cook, homemaker and certainly kept yourself busy.   We shared many wonderful stories and meals.  The amount of cream you added to your coffee amazed me at the rate of one can per day. Now what will I do with the cow I bought to save money on cream?  Rest in peace and know that I truly enjoyed your company, prune mui and that wonderful smile.

Granny Gran, it's hard to accept that you're not here. I know we didn't see each other a lot, but that doesn't change the fact that I still love you very much, and I am so blessed to have known someone as kind and as loving as you. You are such a light, and you always have been. Every time we've spent together has been so fun and memorable, and you've always been so kind to us. Even my friends that only met you once at my graduation party remember you and how sweet you were to them. "Cedric" remembers you too. It's sad that you're not here anymore, and I won't get to see you for awhile, but I know that one day I'll see you again in Heaven, and we'll have plenty of time to catch up and cook short ribs and steak sandwiches together. I miss you, Grandma. Take care, until we meet again.

I will miss your laughs and good cooking.  You always wanted to take care of others, which is what made you so endearing.  Thank you for being such a caring wife to our dad.  We truly will miss you.

I was blessed to have shared so many memorable times with you...listening to your childhood stories of sneaking nickels to buy boston baked beans, thumbing through magazines and cookbooks for new recipes while the family watched UH games, burning my hands trying to wash them after you finished washing dishes, watching my kids dance to the the seasonal musical toys you bought for them, I could go on and on. Thank you for the love you shared over the years, I will cherish those memories as much as I will cherish your hand written recipes for braised short ribs and cornbread! I love you.

Grandma was really nice and loved to give hugs and kisses. I love her chicken long rice, she was such a good cook. She cared for us so much. I will miss you until I go to heaven.

I will always remember her ono spaghetti and meatballs. She was very kind and generous and she always picked the best Hallmark cards for us. I love her hugs and kisses even when she had pink lipstick on.

I love you Grandma and I really miss you, and I want you to come back down here, but I will see you in heaven. I love you I love you I love you.

Granny Gran,  I'll always remember your amazing cooking that was the only assuring  thing on that flight was knowing i was getting closer to good eating and great fun! Your cooking was almost as great to see as your smile that was always there. I'll miss you Granny Gran
-Chris

Deepest sympathy, we will miss her laughter and jokes.  

-Ruth YiuLin, Lori Ho, Jocelyn Ahu, Deanne Ho, Millicent Imamoto, Lurene Ho, and Mabel Ho

Gordon
My wife and I are so sorry for the loss of a great and wonderful human being. I will always remember her smiles whenever I saw her on the golf course, banquet or dinner and at the SLAA Clubhouse.  We would always have a good laugh especially when I said something crazy, like "I'm overdo for a hole in one" or "you (Betty Lou) deserve more than one mulligan on each hole."  She will be missed and may God bless her and keep her.
Our sincere sympathies and Aloha,
Herb & Carol Sousa
Las Vegas

I have much to be thankful for, and having a friend like Betty Lou is one that I'll always cherish.  I met Betty through my close association with the St. Louis Class of 1952 and later, when she became a member of the St. Louis Alumni Golf Club with Gordon.  I'll always remember her great smile and attitude towards life.  I will always remember the trips we made together - St. George, UT, Maui, Kona, Kauai, and Las Vegas.  Thank you Lord, for bringing Betty Lou into our lives!

Aloha till we meet again!

I will always be grateful for the amazing wife you were to my dad.  Thank you, Betty Lou, for bringing my dad happiness, loving my dad unconditionally and always taking care of his needs, even when you were so sick.  We will miss your beautiful smile and your funny stories, but find peace in knowing you are cooking up a storm and golfing to your hearts content amongst angels in heaven.

Gordon and Family,
Jean and I express our warmest sympathy and wish to say that we enjoyed Betty's company and good spirit when golfing together.   We'll remember her whenever we play with the SLAA Golf Club.
Sincerely, Gary and Jean Suzuki

Thank you Aunty Betty for always being so enjoyable and happy to be around. I will always remember your awesome cooking as well as how much you dislike blueberries. Thank you for playing such an instrumental role in my childhood and being a wonderful wife to grandpa. I will miss you dearly, but so I'm happy that you are in a better, more peaceful place. Love you Aunty Betty

Thank you, thank you Betty Lou for your never hesitating, loving and encouraging support you continually gave me after my loss.  I am blessed to have you as a true friend and will always keep you in a special place in my heart.

You now will be hitting two hundred yard drives, wedge shots within fifteen feet and never ever three putt again.  Go Betty Lou!

Gordon,
Please accept my deepest sympathy for a woman who was always cheerful and gracious.  She enjoyed life with you especially playing golf and then having dinner at various places.  She always told me about the new restaurants you folks enjoyed..  Sorry I cannot attend her services but know that she holds a soft spot in my thoughts.  Aloha from Mapi Richards

Thoughts are with your family, Larry. Don't let people tell you that you'll get over the pain of losing your beautiful mother. You won't get over it but you will learn to live with it and live your life.  Love to you and Holly.

She always wore a very welcoming smile and greeted us with a sweet voice as we'd walk through the office doors to see dr.ontai:) we will miss you Betty Lou! Sending our aloha to you Dr.Ontai, praying for peace and comfort as you endure this time. God bless you!

Betty Lou was one of my dearest friends, and I miss her beautiful smile and sweet, caring nature. We enjoyed golfing together and socializing afterward. She told the cutest stories that had us laughing most at the way she enjoyed telling it. Rest in peace, love, and may the Lord continue to watch over you.

We were blessed by being in the foursome playing golf, enjoying your smiles and the ever present positive words you had on any subject. Now you are doing the same with the angels above. Till we meet again, Auf Wiedersehen and warmest Aloha!

Ingrid and S. Joe Estores

Years ago, 1976, I worked with Betty Lou for about 6 months at Kapiolani Medical Center.  We were both without husbands in the early 1980's, until I married a nice St.Louis High school 1952 grad in 1986.
She congratulated me and told me how wonderful it was to have found a loving husband.  Years later she too became fortunate to also find a wonderful husband, also a St. Louis high school 1952 grad.  Since then, at the St. Louis Alumni Golf club and Class of 1952 functions, we always told each other how lucky we were to have found wonderful husbands . 
Al Fu, my husband, told me you were a terrific golfer winning something almost at every outing.  I'm sure they have great golf courses in Heaven, where I am sure you are going since you are such a wonderful person, admired by all of the people you know.
We will miss you.
Louise Fu

Betty Lou,
 It was great working with you at Kap years ago. Sleep in the arms of the angels. Aloha!

I will miss your wonderful smile and how you always asked me how am I doing.  Your concern for my well being will always be cherished by me.  Thank you for being my friend.  I know Gordon will miss you dearly as we all will.  Aloha and have a good time in eternal life.

I'm glad I had the chance to meet such a beautiful, honest and caring person. She never had an unkind word to say about anyone or anything and she truly cared about her family and friends.  She had a passion for life, golf, shopping and cooking, all of which she was a champion.  I will always remember her laughter and cute, innocent sense of humor.  She will be missed.

I will miss my golf buddy as we always enjoyed each other's company.  I can hear our laughter on the golf course as we played together talking about so many happy memories.

OBITUARY

Betty Lou Leilani Ontai

April 17, 1939 – January 10, 2014

Borthwick Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services