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Age 67, passed away on October 24, 2022 at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Her family was by her side. Born and raised in Niu Valley, Mary was the third of seven children to William and Marguerite Dau and a 1973 graduate of Star of the Sea High School.Mary's work ethic shone throughout her life. During high school, she baby-sat and worked at Dole Cannery. She then studied her way through Kapi'olani Community College's nursing school program while working at Pete's Modelcraft in Kahala Mall. Upon graduation, she worked at several medical centers before embarking on a 43-year career at Shriners Hospital for Children in Honolulu.
Mary cherished her years of service at Shriners Hospital. As a ward nurse at the old Shriners campus, she cared for children from the Pacific and Asia. She also worked at outreach clinics throughout Hawai'i and across the Pacific, including Fiji, Tonga, Western and American Samoa, Saipan and Micronesia. She took joy in immersing herself in different cultures and made friends in each location. She even became fluent in Samoan. Along the way she endured stormy weather, dog bites and even a serious bout of dengue fever.
At home, Mary brought warmth and zest to all she did. She loved to decorate for the holidays (Christmas especially) and cooked and baked. She was an avid reader, and a dedicated caregiver to our elderly mother. Her faith as a devout Catholic, gave her strength and spirit throughout her life.
Mary's greatest pride, however, was her daughter Tatiana and four grandchildren. A single mother, Mary instilled within Tatiana a shared love for family, faith and culture. She took delight in playing with her grandchildren and watching them grow. She was always a proud presence at their baseball games, 'ukulele performances, regattas and more.
Preceded in death by her parents William and Marguerite and brother David, Mary is survived by her daughter Tatiana (Jordan) and grandchildren Jovian, Javis, Jrake and Téa; siblings Patsy, Mike, Bobby (Lisa), Chris (Lisa) and Tim; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her life and love touched so many.
In keeping with her kind and giving nature, Mary made arrangements to donate her body to the John A. Burns School of Medicine for medical sciences. She desired to continue to help all that she could, even beyond her own passing.
In accordance with Mary's wishes, no services will be held.
A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date.
