FAMILY PLACED OBITUARY

Edna Pualani Farden Bekeart
EDNA PUALANI FARDEN BEKEART Edna Farden Bekeart passed away on Monday, June 17, 2013 at the age of 95 in Kaneohe. She was the last surviving sibling of the distinguished Farden family of Lahaina. While attending the University of Hawaii, she met then married Californian Robert Edward Bekeart. After WWII, Edna dedicated her life to education, teaching at the Royal, Kamehameha and Holy Nativity Schools. Edna was a member of the Honolulu chapter of Hale o Na Ali'i , The Daughters of Hawai'i, The Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club, Maunalua Civic Club and Delta Kappa Gamma. At Holy Nativity School and the DOE she created the Hawaiian Culture Education programs. She is also credited with establishing the May Day and Pa'ina events at Holy Nativity. She taught 'ukulele and hula to scores of summer coeds at the University of Hawaii. Edna was an accomplished Hawaiian music composer and a 2008 recipient of the Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award. She will be remembered for songs such as "Maunalua Bay," "Christmas Love," and "Ginger Memories" and the 1960s children's hit "Sassy Little Mynah Bird" (co-composed with sister Irmgard Aluli). She was also inducted into the National Organization of PEN Women for her musical compositions. She is survived by children Bastel Francois Bekeart (wife Gloria Evans), Dana Bekeart (wife Dorothy Roberts), and Marquita Denison (husband William) and four grandchildren. Memorial Church services will be held Friday, August 16, 2013 at 4:00pm the Church of the Holy Innocents, Lahaina, Maui, and Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 9:00am at Holy Nativity Church, Aina Haina, Honolulu. Edna's ashes will be interred next to her husband Robert's at the Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased

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