Phyllis Moana Moniz was born on October 5, 1939, to James Y. and Margaret T. Higa. She grew up in Kalihi and Palolo and graduated from Kaimuki High School in June 1957.
She married Clive Neill Moniz on February 14, 1963, in Menlo Park, California. Clive was in the Air Force at the time and when the adventures began. They traveled to various duty stations in California and Europe, Belgium, Germany and finally to their last duty station in Minot, North Dakota. Upon retirement after 22 years of active duty, they returned home to Hawaii.
Throughout their marriage Phyllis held banking, and credit union positions. After Neill's retirement they both joined the US Postal service, and both retired after 25 years for Phyllis and 28 years for Neill.
Phyllis was athletic throughout her lifetime. Volleyball was one of her passions and in her Golden years was a fan of the University of Hawaii Rainbow wahine volleyball.
She was always an avid bowler throughout her postal career as well as when we moved to Las Vegas in 2003. She participated in two Bowling Leagues for many years at Sun Coast Bowling Alley.
She also participated in the Bon Odori dancing in the annual Obon festival in Las Vegas to celebrate her Okinawan heritage.
They sold their home in Summerlin in 2021 and moved into Carefree Senior Living Las Vegas, an active senior living apartments on September 16, 2021. She passed at home on November 21, 2021.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister Margot Queypo, step-son, Verndale Moniz, and her parents James and Margaret Higa. She is survived by her husband Clive Neill, daughter Teddi Noe Painter, son Francis Kalani Moniz, stepson Delbert Danny Moniz, stepson Clifford K Moniz, grandchildren Joshuanna Painter, Danielle Moniz, Shane Moniz, Pono Moniz, and 4 great grandchildren, sister Harriet (James) Jerviss, Brother James Y. Higa Jr. (Alice), sister Cecelia Chiyo Smith (Clifford), children of Margot Queypo, Laurie Kehaulani Ganibe (Art), Laurelle Malia Queypo, James Kimo Queypo (Kiyono), Ryan Keoni Queypo (Cindy) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2021 at the Inspire Mililani Church, 95-061 Waimakua Dr., Mililani, HI 96789.
Arrangements Provided By:
Palm Northwest Mortuary
