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Kathleen Ruth Hi'ilani Heirakuji passed away on Sunday, August 7th at the age of 93. Her final days were spent with her family who surrounded her with love, tender massages, and lovely stories of their shared past. Kathy was born on July 16, 1929 in Dedham, Massachusetts to Hubert J. Ahearn and Mabel G. Ahearn. She graduated from Dedham High School in 1947 and was trained as a registered nurse at St. Margaret's Hospital School of Nursing.
In the late 1950s, she traveled to Hawai'i and took a nursing position at the Queen's Hospital in Honolulu.
She met Richard Masato Wahea Heirakuji of Honolulu and they were married at St. Augustine's Church in Waikiki on November 19, 1959. They had four children: Richard Anthony Lanakila Heirakuji (Joy), Russell John Ka'aihue Heirakuji (Clarissa), Martin Joseph Kalauokalani Heirakuji, and Carolyn Mary Ku'uleiawapuhimelemele Heirakuji (Bruggeman) (Russell).
While she gave up her formal nursing career, she instead poured her energies into raising her young family, helping to support a growing church Parish at St. John Vianney in Kailua, and by providing care and love to the elders and ailing in our ohana.
Kathleen is also survived by 9 bright-eyed grandchildren and 3 precocious great grandchildren - she loved each and every one!
Services will be held at St. John Vianney Church, 920 Keolu Dr
in Kailua on Saturday, October 22. Visitation will start at 9:45am with mass TO FOLLOW at 10:30am. Aloha attire.
No flowers please - however lei giving to family
and friends is welcome.
A private burial will be conducted at a later date.
