Sister M. Candida Oroc embraced Sister Death May 29, 2022, at the Plaza at Kaneohe, Hawaii, at 89 years of age and as a Sister of St. Francis for 71 years.Sister Candida was born Soledad Maria Oroc in Makaweli, Kauai, HI, on March 12, 1933, to the late Gregorio Jalico Oroc and Candida Sotomayor Oroc. Soledad graduated from St. Francis Convent School, and entered the Sisters of St. Francis, on September 8, 1950. She received the Franciscan habit and her religious name on March 1, 1951 and made her Final Profession of Vows on August 1, 1955.
Sister earned a B.A. from Chaminade College, an M.S. Education from the University of Hawaii, and an M.A. in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University, Olean, N.Y. She later studied Clinical Pastoral Education and was certified as a hospital chaplain.
Sister Candida's ministry from 1952 to 1984 was in Catholic school education, as a teacher and principal. In Hawaii, she served at St. Joseph School, Hilo, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Pearl City, and Sacred Heart School, Lahaina. She served on the staff of the Hawaii Catholic Schools Department for four years, then began 23 years of chaplaincy in the Spiritual Services Department at St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii. Sister's final years included Residential Supervision at Marianne Hall and Prayer Ministry at St. Francis Convent, Manoa, and at the Plaza in Kaneohe.
Sister Candida will be remembered for her love of and devotion to God and her birth and Franciscan families. In addition to her parents, Sister Candida was predeceased by her nephew, Robert Oroc. She is survived by her brother Epifanio (Panio) and sister-in-law Gregoria (Jeannie) Oroc of Kauai, nephews, nieces, several grandnephews and nieces, and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
On June 30, 2022, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM at St. Ann Church, Kaneohe, Hawaii, with burial at 12:30 PM at Diamond Head Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Marianne Cope Convent, 2102 Liliha Street, Honolulu HI 96817.
Arrangements Provided By: Diamond Head Mortuary
