Bernadette Leinaala Piikea Kaohi Lancaster

Bernadette, “Babe”, “Bernie”, Mom, Grandma was born September 17, 1940 in Hanapepe, Kaua’i, Hawaii, to Joseph “Sonny” and Gloria (Souza) Ka’ohi. Bernie attended Kamehameha boarding school following her brother Howard. After graduation Bernie became the first of her family to attend college, enrolling in Washington State College (now University) where she would meet her future husband Lowell Lancaster, on a blind date while on a Christmas break in Yakima, WA.

Married December 26, 1959 at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo, Kaua’i Hawaii in front of her father’s 17 brothers and sisters and mother’s 7 brothers and sisters’ families, Bernadette and Lowell lived their entire 63 years of marriage in Selah, WA.

Bernie was mother of 5 children, Patricia Ann Pualani (d.1963), Debra Lehua Hanmer (David) Selah; Douglas Howard Ka’ohi Lancaster (Ruth) Seattle; David Paul Kalua Lancaster (Robert Bagshaw), Barnstable, MA; Craig Lowell Ka ho’olina Lancaster (Kirsten) Selah; and grandmother of six much loved grandchildren: Jessica, Joseph, Ivan, Lily, Elle, Maile.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents, brother Howard of Hawaii, daughter Patricia, and in-laws Paul and Ada Lancaster.

She is lovingly survived by her husband of 63 years Lowell Ley Lancaster and their children, grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, aunties and uncles as well as dear friends.

There will be a memorial mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church in Selah, WA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, any donations in her name can be directed to Sister Rebecca Foundation at Marquette/St. Joseph School in Yakima, WA, Our Lady of Lourdes building fund Selah, WA or LaSalle High School Yakima, WA, or the charity of their choice.

Bernadette remains in the hearts and memories of us all and as a devout Catholic we embrace the knowledge she is raised in heaven as a continuing guiding voice.

Aloha, A Hui Hou

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Lancaster family.