Karen M.G. Wells

Our beloved Karen Maliglig (Geolingo) Wells, of Honolulu, went to be with the Lord on July 9, 2024 at the age of 61 years. She was born on July 6, 1963 to Francisco Valencia Geolingo and Liceria Thomas (Maliglig) Geolingo in Bacolod City, Philippines. A loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and amazing friend, Karen brought compassion and laughter to everyone she touched, and an energy beyond compare.

Predeceased by her father, she is survived by her mother, brothers Arthur Geolingo and Harold Geolingo, their wives Sharon and Alicia, husband Grady B. Kaipo Wells (married for 36 years), daughter Riley Wells, nephew Jason Geolingo, nieces Nicole (Geolingo) Zethelius, Amanda Cintron, Nyah Geolingo, Nagiza Geolingo, Halle Geolingo, and Kaylee Geolingo, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended Ohana and friends.

Karen was recognized for her academic excellence, leadership abilities, and countless athletic accomplishments, to include being an All-California State Tennis Player, and a First Team All-League Basketball, and Volleyball player for four consecutive years. Karen loved to compete and never gave up, no matter the circumstance. She had a drive to excel in everything she set her mind to, and an “always win” attitude that proved to assist her in her long battle with cancer.

Born in the Philippines and raised in California, Karen’s life took her to Hawaii, Oklahoma, California, Arizona and back to Hawaii.

Her distinguished career spanned multiple positions of leadership throughout the banking industry, starting within the Bank of America’s Bank Card Services Departments in Pasadena, California and Phoenix, Arizona. She exceled as an Information Technology Department Project Manager for Bank of America, Wells Fargo, American Savings Bank and Bank of Hawaii. Karen further assisted American Express, as a consultant, with Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans.

To describe Karen, words such as beautiful, intelligent, exuberant, fun, energetic, loving, caring and thoughtful come to mind as she genuinely and profoundly cared about all her friends and family. Her smile and laughter were full, and extremely contagious. When you heard her laugh, you knew it was her, and if you did not know her, you went over to see what all the excitement was about and immediately started laughing yourself.

In addition to loving family & friends, she appreciated a good chocolate martini, 7 Deadly Zins & all things Disney.

She is already immensely missed, and we are all exceedingly thankful that she enhanced our lives by being in it – comforting us in our tough times and sharing in our celebrations.

Services will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 9:30am at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery, with burial scheduled at 1pm.