After living a long, rich, ambitious, and colorful life, Connie Caspe Chun passed away on August 26, 2020 at the age of 92. Chun's life began with hardships, growing up in the rural Philippines. The fifth of seven children, she left home to be independent at a young age, joined a missionary group, and earned a scholarship to a four-year nursing school at Manila Sanitarium & Hospital, where she graduated as valedictorian and class president. In 1945, after the war, Chun qualified for a Fulbright Scholarship and was accepted as a graduate student in the Public Health program at Loma Linda University in California. She was the first Filipina registered nurse in the program. Education and developments in the field of nursing were Chun's passion. She further achieved a Master of Public Health Degree from the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, and a Law Degree from the University of Hawaii Richardson Law School. Several years later, Chun entered state politics after being elected to the 18th District House seat of the Hawaii State Legislature, where she was assigned as Chair of the Public Assistance and Human Services Committee. During her tenure as a legislator, she coauthored a bill to bring "Nursing Home Without Walls" to Hawai'i, a 30-year proven program that allows people to stay at home and receive services. She also was an avid runner. Along with her family, the Chun Family took part in the Honolulu Marathon for many years, starting with its inception in 1973, and they also were proud to have run as a family in the 1974 Boston Marathon. In addition to her running achievements, Chun was known for handing out hundreds of loaves of her special mango bread every year, plus her expertise in cultivating the beautiful, huge red anthuriums that graced her front yard. Chun is survived by her daughters and their spouses (in parentheses) May Lynne Gill (Timothy), June Beltran (Scott Minneman), and Joy Groody (Bob), stepsons Jerold Chun (Jean), Hingson Chun (Sheila), and Daven Chun (Roz), eleven grandchildren, and her sister, Lee Caspe. We want to extend a special thanks to her beloved neighbors and caregivers Kathy and Denny Cornett, for making her final years comfortable and happy.
Private services were held. Any donations may be made in Chun's name to the Philippine Nurses' Association Hawaii Foundation Scholarship Fund, 827 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Arrangements Provided By: Oahu Mortuary
