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Pamela Reiko Lum passed away peacefully at home in Honolulu on 11/1/16, with husband, Bernard Lum, at her side. She was courageous in her battle against cancer. Following is Pamela's self-written obituary. Much to my disappointment, my life wasn't quite as long as I hoped it would be. Fortunately though, I was given enough time to experience God's many blessings. I was born on August 9, 1949 in New York City. My father, Shigeru Matsuo, was from Nagasaki, Japan and my mother, Hazel Matsuo, was from Oahu. My parents worked extremely hard to provide the kind of life for their children that was beyond their own parents' dreams, and I am thankful for the sacrifices they made. I grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, a suburb of New York City. My most treasured childhood memory was when we added Queenie, a beautiful mixed-breed dog to our family. She gave and received much love over the years and has never been forgotten. After graduating from The City College of New York, I was hired at a publishing house that was a subsidiary of The New York Times. Although I enjoyed the daily walk through Grand Central Terminal and being part of the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan's busy streets, I detested the long, cold, miserable East Coast winters. I moved to Honolulu. In two separately incredible strokes of luck, I met Esther Okada, who was my beloved best friend of almost forty years until her passing in 2012 and Bernard Lum, my husband and soul mate who survives me. I was extremely blessed to have been happily married for over thirty years to a person with an abundance of love and kindness, along with a hilarious sense of humor. I am also survived by my brother Victor Matsuo and his wife Pamela Stephens, my extended family (affectionately called The Lum Clan), several cousins, and dear friends. After a 30 year career as an administrative assistant to the chief financial officer, I retired from Territorial Savings Bank in 2011. My main interests were traveling to foreign countries, attending UH men's basketball games, participating in Jazzercise classes, trying new restaurants and lunching with my dear friends. I was also a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and Precious Ramotswe mysteries. I have left this Earth and beautiful Hawaii for my next journey, and am eager to see my loved ones who departed before me. To those who I leave behind, I wish you well and know that one day I will see you again. I am satisfied that I had a very happy and fulfilling life. Private service and inurnment were held at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Pamela Reiko Lum passed away peacefully at home in Honolulu on 11/1/16, with husband, Bernard Lum, at her side. She was courageous in her battle against cancer. Following is Pamela's self-written obituary. Much to my disappointment, my life wasn't quite as long as I hoped it would be. Fortunately though, I was given enough time to experience God's many blessings. I was born on August 9, 1949 in New York City. My father, Shigeru Matsuo, was from Nagasaki, Japan and my mother, Hazel Matsuo, was from Oahu. My parents worked extremely hard to provide the kind of life for their children that was beyond their own parents' dreams, and I am thankful for the sacrifices they made. I grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, a suburb of New York City. My most treasured childhood memory was when we added Queenie, a beautiful mixed-breed dog to our family. She gave and received much love over the years and has never been forgotten. After graduating from The City College of New York, I was hired at a publishing house that was a subsidiary of The New York Times. Although I enjoyed the daily walk through Grand Central Terminal and being part of the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan's busy streets, I detested the long, cold, miserable East Coast winters. I moved to Honolulu. In two separately incredible strokes of luck, I met Esther Okada, who was my beloved best friend of almost forty years until her passing in 2012 and Bernard Lum, my husband and soul mate who survives me. I was extremely blessed to have been happily married for over thirty years to a person with an abundance of love and kindness, along with a hilarious sense of humor. I am also survived by my brother Victor Matsuo and his wife Pamela Stephens, my extended family (affectionately called The Lum Clan), several cousins, and dear friends. After a 30 year career as an administrative assistant to the chief financial officer, I retired from Territorial Savings Bank in 2011. My main interests were traveling to foreign countries, attending UH men's basketball games, participating in Jazzercise classes, trying new restaurants and lunching with my dear friends. I was also a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and Precious Ramotswe mysteries. I have left this Earth and beautiful Hawaii for my next journey, and am eager to see my loved ones who departed before me. To those who I leave behind, I wish you well and know that one day I will see you again. I am satisfied that I had a very happy and fulfilling life. Private service and inurnment were held at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
