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Elizabeth 'Tita" Kauikeolani Ruddle Spielman was born in Hilo to Albert and Annabelle Ruddle on February 16, 1924 and passed peacefully at her home in Waimea on January 23, 2020. She was a descendant of John and Kipikane Parker and had a great appreciation for her Hawaiian lineage and especially of Hawaii island. In her own words, she lived an extraordinary and blessed life surrounded by family and many, many cherished kama'aina friends. She had many adventures with Uncle Francis Brown and Winona Love, the Shingles and Kawanankoas, the Thompsons and Makinneys and many more. Her young life was spent in Hilo with three older brothers, Billy, Francis "Budger," and Georgie, where her parents had started the first Ford Dealership on the island. As a young girl, she had the honor of dancing hula with Aunty Helen Beamer and all the Beamer children who became life-long friends. The family had a beach home in Puako, her beloved Paniau. It became a favorite gathering place for family and a very extended family of friends. Many carefree days were spent there fishing, swimming, playing music and cards and consuming favorite beverages for days on end! Paniau was a safe and loving place that was a haven for many over the years. She attended Punahou School and graduated in 1941, the Centennial Class. She enrolled in college in Massachusetts, returning home after the attack on Pearl Harbor to be near her family. She began working at Kilauea Military Camp where she remained throughout the war. She and her brother Budger became licensed pilots, working at the flight school in exchange for flying lessons. After the war she moved to Honolulu and began working for the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. Waikiki became her playground and she was befriended by many of the beach boys including Sammy "Steamboat" Mokuahi and Duke Kahanamoku. She met Joseph "Joe" Spielman at a party hosted by her cousin and they married in 1952. They raised 3 children Joseph "Stretch", Eva, and JK. Both Tita and Joe were very active in the founding of the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club, the renovation of 'Iolani Palace and paddling (Tita) with Hui Nalu Canoe Club. They moved back to Waimea on Hawaii Island in 1982 and Tita continued with civic duties including helping to establish the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where she served as a Board Member. She was also a loyal supporter of the Kahilu Theater along with her cousin Richard Smart, serving on its Board and enjoying shows as a season ticket holder. She attended Annunciation Catholic Church, where she and Joe were part of the effort to construct the new church. She was also a volunteer with the Food Bank's food distribution center at the church. Her most cherished time however, was spent in Kohala with her buddy and close friend, Red Shingle King at Kehena Ranch. In her later life, her greatest joy was in her grandchildren, Pai'ea, Ainoa, Kauikeolani, Napela, 'Aukai and Kulia and her great- grandchildren Hinalea, Konakai, Ka'ainoa, Pai'ea Jr. and Kaiea. Private services. Scattering of ashes on Mauna Kea at a later date. Donations may be made to North Hawaii Community Hospital, North Hawaii Hospice, Kawaihae Canoe Club.
Elizabeth 'Tita" Kauikeolani Ruddle Spielman was born in Hilo to Albert and Annabelle Ruddle on February 16, 1924 and passed peacefully at her home in Waimea on January 23, 2020. She was a descendant of John and Kipikane Parker and had a great appreciation for her Hawaiian lineage and especially of Hawaii island. In her own words, she lived an extraordinary and blessed life surrounded by family and many, many cherished kama'aina friends. She had many adventures with Uncle Francis Brown and Winona Love, the Shingles and Kawanankoas, the Thompsons and Makinneys and many more. Her young life was spent in Hilo with three older brothers, Billy, Francis "Budger," and Georgie, where her parents had started the first Ford Dealership on the island. As a young girl, she had the honor of dancing hula with Aunty Helen Beamer and all the Beamer children who became life-long friends. The family had a beach home in Puako, her beloved Paniau. It became a favorite gathering place for family and a very extended family of friends. Many carefree days were spent there fishing, swimming, playing music and cards and consuming favorite beverages for days on end! Paniau was a safe and loving place that was a haven for many over the years. She attended Punahou School and graduated in 1941, the Centennial Class. She enrolled in college in Massachusetts, returning home after the attack on Pearl Harbor to be near her family. She began working at Kilauea Military Camp where she remained throughout the war. She and her brother Budger became licensed pilots, working at the flight school in exchange for flying lessons. After the war she moved to Honolulu and began working for the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. Waikiki became her playground and she was befriended by many of the beach boys including Sammy "Steamboat" Mokuahi and Duke Kahanamoku. She met Joseph "Joe" Spielman at a party hosted by her cousin and they married in 1952. They raised 3 children Joseph "Stretch", Eva, and JK. Both Tita and Joe were very active in the founding of the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club, the renovation of 'Iolani Palace and paddling (Tita) with Hui Nalu Canoe Club. They moved back to Waimea on Hawaii Island in 1982 and Tita continued with civic duties including helping to establish the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where she served as a Board Member. She was also a loyal supporter of the Kahilu Theater along with her cousin Richard Smart, serving on its Board and enjoying shows as a season ticket holder. She attended Annunciation Catholic Church, where she and Joe were part of the effort to construct the new church. She was also a volunteer with the Food Bank's food distribution center at the church. Her most cherished time however, was spent in Kohala with her buddy and close friend, Red Shingle King at Kehena Ranch. In her later life, her greatest joy was in her grandchildren, Pai'ea, Ainoa, Kauikeolani, Napela, 'Aukai and Kulia and her great- grandchildren Hinalea, Konakai, Ka'ainoa, Pai'ea Jr. and Kaiea. Private services. Scattering of ashes on Mauna Kea at a later date. Donations may be made to North Hawaii Community Hospital, North Hawaii Hospice, Kawaihae Canoe Club.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
