FAMILY PLACED OBITUARY

Mary Taira
MARY TERUYO TAIRA 84, born a Numazawa, by Territorial records a YAMAMOTO, died June 29. She lived in Wahiawa, Kauai until 1945 after her junior year at Waimea HS. She was like a second mother to her younger siblings. To raise her own 4 children, she worked as a well-respected salesman at Manchester Sterling, then as a realtor. As a young girl, she won an island-wide song contest by KTOH. Called "Canary" in her home plantation camp, she pursued singing and dance all her life. She was active for decades in ballroom dance, bon dance, shinbuyo, and later, hula. Her voice rang out for decades in the Wesley Methodist choir and from atop the yagura tower of the Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club. Her voice is heard publicly as featured in "Musics of Hawaii." Our kind mom had to be strong. Daring even in her 60's and 70's, she braved the autumn waves of Sunset, ate sand at Sandy's, took in the view from Koolau and Waianae summits, and on a jaunt into Haleakala, enjoyed pelting hail and the challenges of the thin atmosphere. Please send cards of remembrance to Mary T. Taira, 801 Ala Nioi Place, Apt. 1002, Honolulu, HI 96818. They will be displayed on occasions for her spirit to read. "Private" assures privacy. Memorial service (aloha attire) at Hosoi Mortuary is on Sunday, August 12 at 3:00 p.m., visitation from 2:00. See coming obituary.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased

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