SANDRA NAOMI (UYEHARA) TANGONAN Age 71, of Aiea, passed away November 5, 2015. Born April 1,1944 in Honolulu. Former teacher of Makaha El. & social worker for the Dept. of Social Services & Housing and Catholic Charities, Sandy was a passionate advocate for children and families in need. She received the Nat'l Assoc. of Soc. Workers (NASW) Outstanding Achievement Award in the area of Child & Family Welfare in March 1989. In 1996, Sandy initiated efforts to separate Social Services from Welfare Services in the State of HI. Sandy, the lead advocate, was able to implement and obtain approval through the Legislature for the Department of Human Services to gain 12 additional social worker positions. After retirement, Sandy enjoyed frequent visits to Las Vegas and cruising to Asia & Europe. Her greatest joy was babysitting her 6 grandchildren. She is survived by husband, Robert; daughters, Christina (Dylan) Kuba, Suzanne (Reid) Cummings, Wendy Tangonan (companion, Brian Nomura); nephew, Stephen (Gayle) Uyehara; mother, Helen Uyehara & stepdad, Walter Iha; sister, Susan (Clifford) Sagara; grandchildren, Dallas, Madilyn, Dillan, Quintin, Elijah, Winston & numerous nephews & nieces. She is preceded in death by dad, Harold Uyehara and siblings, Karen Hashimoto, Eugene & Glenn Uyehara. She will be truly missed by family and friends. Visitation is from 5:00 pm with Sandy's Celebration of Life to follow, on Friday, December 4 at Hosoi Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
SANDRA NAOMI (UYEHARA) TANGONAN Age 71, of Aiea, passed away November 5, 2015. Born April 1,1944 in Honolulu. Former teacher of Makaha El. & social worker for the Dept. of Social Services & Housing and Catholic Charities, Sandy was a passionate advocate for children and families in need. She received the Nat'l Assoc. of Soc. Workers (NASW) Outstanding Achievement Award in the area of Child & Family Welfare in March 1989. In 1996, Sandy initiated efforts to separate Social Services from Welfare Services in the State of HI. Sandy, the lead advocate, was able to implement and obtain approval through the Legislature for the Department of Human Services to gain 12 additional social worker positions. After retirement, Sandy enjoyed frequent visits to Las Vegas and cruising to Asia & Europe. Her greatest joy was babysitting her 6 grandchildren. She is survived by husband, Robert; daughters, Christina (Dylan) Kuba, Suzanne (Reid) Cummings, Wendy Tangonan (companion, Brian Nomura); nephew, Stephen (Gayle) Uyehara; mother, Helen Uyehara & stepdad, Walter Iha; sister, Susan (Clifford) Sagara; grandchildren, Dallas, Madilyn, Dillan, Quintin, Elijah, Winston & numerous nephews & nieces. She is preceded in death by dad, Harold Uyehara and siblings, Karen Hashimoto, Eugene & Glenn Uyehara. She will be truly missed by family and friends. Visitation is from 5:00 pm with Sandy's Celebration of Life to follow, on Friday, December 4 at Hosoi Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
