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Frances "Francine" Sook Moi Kawaipulo'u Kuakini O'Sullivan Landeza died peacefully in Oakland, California, on February 24, 2023. She was born on July 13, 1939, in Honolulu, Territory of Hawai'i, to Lot and Mabel (Lee) O'Sullivan. At six months old, Francine was sent to live with her Uncle Francis and Aunt Emma (En Fook) O'Sullivan on Hawaiian Homelands at Ho'olehua, Moloka'i, where she was raised by her "hanai" parents.Francine graduated from Moloka'i High School in 1957. Although she was accepted into Oberlin College in Ohio to study music, our mom attended Armstrong Business College in Berkeley, California, where she graduated in 1959.
Francine met and married Daniel Landeza, Jr. of Kahuku, O'ahu, Hawai'i, on March 26, 1960, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Berkeley. Danny and Francine were married for 34 years until his sudden passing in 1994. They are survived by their children and their families: Daina, Fr. Jayson, John (Mieko), Patrick (Jennifer), and Donna Keala; grandchildren: Princess Malia (Armando), Marcus, Tyler, P.J., Danny, Megan, Mariko, Luke; great-grandchildren: Isla and Armando Isai. Frances is also survived by her sister Yolanda O'Sullivan Boyce of Hilo, Hawai'i, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Francine worked in various offices as an administrative assistant until she began her work with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, beginning as the secretary of St. Joseph the Worker Elementary School in Berkeley. In 1987, Frances began working at the chancery (administrative offices) of the Diocese of Oakland, first on Lakeshore Avenue and later at their new facilities on Grand and Harrison in downtown Oakland.
Mom was deeply involved in all things Hawaiian: dance (Hula), music, food, customs, culture, history, and spirituality, resulting from being raised on Hawaiian Homelands at Ho'olehua, Moloka'i. She was a founding member of the "O Ka'ahumanu Wahine Ali'i' Ahahui" of the Bay Area, a cultural heritage preservation ladies' society. Frances believed in the power of pursuing education, especially for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Francine's Catholic faith was the center of her life, and her trust in the Lord Jesus and the Blessed Mother was deep and profound. She embodied and lived her faith in a practical way by being full of aloha - mom was known for her upbeat and positive personality, garnering the nickname "Miss Sunshine" by her coworkers at the Diocesan Chancery.
Our Landeza 'ohana is deeply grateful for our mother's care at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland. We are also thankful for her coworkers' love and prayerful support at the chancery office of the Diocese of Oakland.
