Blossom Young Tyau passed away quietly and peacefully on April 22, 2017 at the age of 94. Blossom was born on May 21, 1922 in Happy Valley, Maui, to Young Goon and Eva Ching Young. She graduated in 1940 with scholastic honors from Baldwin High School, where she enjoyed swimming, track, drama, and journalism. She was the last living member of Maui Coach Sakamoto's original 3-Year Swim Club. Blossom's college education at the University was interrupted by World War II efforts, and she said, "I earned my Mrs. Degree from the College of Hard Knocks". She married Vernon Shui Fong Tyau, a civil engineer, in 1945. During the nostalgic "boat days", Blossom had a long career with American President Lines (APL). Prior to retirement, she represented Prudential Lines/Delta Steamship Lines and Pearl Cruises of Scandinavia. A 1984 listing in the Honolulu Advertiser notes her as the first woman individually appointed to represent major American and foreign registered cruise lines in public relations and sales management. She was active with Travel Women-Hawaii, the Women's Propeller Club-Port of Honolulu, and in 1992 received the "Spirit Award" from the International Federation of Women's Travel Organizations (IFWTO), with more than 70 member clubs in countries from four continents. Like her namesake, Blossom enjoyed creating floral arrangements and elaborate Chinese display tables for Longevity, Wedding, and Full Moon Festivals. She supported a multitude of organizations and chaired hundreds of events. She served as a board member, officer, and lifetime member of many associations: the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the University of Hawai'i East-West Center, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Palolo Chinese Home, Soroptimist International of Honolulu, Honolulu Symphony Society, Kuakini Medical Auxiliary, Hawaii Chinese Civic Association, Foundation for Hawaii Women's History, University of Hawaii'i-Manoa College of Arts and Sciences, UH-Kapi'olani CC Culinary Arts Program and Culinary Institute of the Pacific, Chinese Women's Club, and Organization of Chinese Women. Blossom was honored for her volunteer work and fundraising several times during her lifetime. She received the Outstanding Narcissus Festival Volunteer award from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in 2009, the Distinguished Volunteer Service award from Palolo Chinese Home in 2010, the Philanthropy award for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Aloha Chapter in 2014, and the Appreciation award from Hawaii Chinese Civic Association in 2015. Blossom built a large professional network during her career and maintained a wide circle of friends during her lifetime. She is survived by her son Sheldon (Nancy) Tyau, daughter Janice Tyau (Richard) Petersen, two granddaughters Allyn Tyau (Taylor) Sim and Erin Tyau, two great-grandsons, Taylor Joseph Sim and Jake Sim, nieces and nephews. A celebration of Blossom's life wil be held on Thursday, May 25, at Diamond Head Memorial Park, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. and services at 11:00 a.m. No flowers.
Blossom Young Tyau passed away quietly and peacefully on April 22, 2017 at the age of 94. Blossom was born on May 21, 1922 in Happy Valley, Maui, to Young Goon and Eva Ching Young. She graduated in 1940 with scholastic honors from Baldwin High School, where she enjoyed swimming, track, drama, and journalism. She was the last living member of Maui Coach Sakamoto's original 3-Year Swim Club. Blossom's college education at the University was interrupted by World War II efforts, and she said, "I earned my Mrs. Degree from the College of Hard Knocks". She married Vernon Shui Fong Tyau, a civil engineer, in 1945. During the nostalgic "boat days", Blossom had a long career with American President Lines (APL). Prior to retirement, she represented Prudential Lines/Delta Steamship Lines and Pearl Cruises of Scandinavia. A 1984 listing in the Honolulu Advertiser notes her as the first woman individually appointed to represent major American and foreign registered cruise lines in public relations and sales management. She was active with Travel Women-Hawaii, the Women's Propeller Club-Port of Honolulu, and in 1992 received the "Spirit Award" from the International Federation of Women's Travel Organizations (IFWTO), with more than 70 member clubs in countries from four continents. Like her namesake, Blossom enjoyed creating floral arrangements and elaborate Chinese display tables for Longevity, Wedding, and Full Moon Festivals. She supported a multitude of organizations and chaired hundreds of events. She served as a board member, officer, and lifetime member of many associations: the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the University of Hawai'i East-West Center, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Palolo Chinese Home, Soroptimist International of Honolulu, Honolulu Symphony Society, Kuakini Medical Auxiliary, Hawaii Chinese Civic Association, Foundation for Hawaii Women's History, University of Hawaii'i-Manoa College of Arts and Sciences, UH-Kapi'olani CC Culinary Arts Program and Culinary Institute of the Pacific, Chinese Women's Club, and Organization of Chinese Women. Blossom was honored for her volunteer work and fundraising several times during her lifetime. She received the Outstanding Narcissus Festival Volunteer award from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in 2009, the Distinguished Volunteer Service award from Palolo Chinese Home in 2010, the Philanthropy award for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Aloha Chapter in 2014, and the Appreciation award from Hawaii Chinese Civic Association in 2015. Blossom built a large professional network during her career and maintained a wide circle of friends during her lifetime. She is survived by her son Sheldon (Nancy) Tyau, daughter Janice Tyau (Richard) Petersen, two granddaughters Allyn Tyau (Taylor) Sim and Erin Tyau, two great-grandsons, Taylor Joseph Sim and Jake Sim, nieces and nephews. A celebration of Blossom's life wil be held on Thursday, May 25, at Diamond Head Memorial Park, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. and services at 11:00 a.m. No flowers.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
