Genevieve Agnes Duarte

Sr. Cecile Marie (Genevieve Duarte) was born and raised in Honolulu, the third of six children of Manuel and Carrie Duarte. She attended St. Anthony Elementary School and Sacred Hearts Academy High School. On January 3, 1948, she entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and continued her studies at Chaminade University (B.A.), University of Hawaii (M.A. in Education Administration) and St. Charles Seminary, PA (M.A. in Religious Studies). In 2010, she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession.

Sister enjoyed teaching. Her teaching ministry ranged from the elementary level through college. At Immaculate Conception School, Lihue, Kauai, she taught in all the elementary grades except for Grade One. She also served as acting Principal for a year. She taught Social Studies and Religion at Sacred Hearts Academy, Fairhaven, MA and Sacred Hearts Academy, Honolulu, HI. She also taught at St. Joseph Elementary School, Fairhaven, and St. John Baptist School, Kalihi, served in each school as principal for a year. On the University level, Sister was instructor of Theology at Chaminade University and worked in campus ministry at the University of Hawaii Newman Center. A talented musician, Sister Cecile Marie gave instructions in elementary music at St. Patrick School and in piano and elementary band at Immaculate Conception School, Lihue. She also served as organist at St. Augustine Church for many years. In1990, she was missioned to Japan where she worked in pastoral ministry and applied herself assiduously to studying the Japanese language, history and culture. Upon her return to Hawaii, Sister became a qualified Kumon instructor.

During her leisure time, Sister Cecile Marie could be found working in the garden, caring for her birds, feeding fish and fowl. In 2010, she completed a children’s book entitled Turtles and More Turtles, Endangered Species and was awarded a Diploma from the Institute of Children’s Literature. Before she died, she was writing a children’s book on Saint Damien of Moloka‘i.

Sister Cecile Marie is survived by older brothers, Felix Duarte and Raymond Duarte, by younger sisters, Rosemarie Duarte and Lilly King (Lillian Duarte), several nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Sacred Hearts Academy Chapel. Visitation at 9:00 a.m. Eulogy at 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Hawaiian Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m. Aloha attire.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts Retirement Fund.

Arrangements under the direction of Borthwick Mortuary, Honolulu, HI.