93, passed away at her home in Kane`ohe on March 29, 2020, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. Barbara was born on March 24, 1927 in Honolulu to Roselyn K. Lee and Brethed Wayland. She was raised by her mother in Papakolea along with her younger sister, Dolores. They lived with Barbara's close-knit `ohanagrandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended Roosevelt High School. In 1943, she noticed a young player, Clarence Kahala Watson, on the basketball court. They met and fell in love, and at the age of 16, she married him. Together for 34 years until Kahala's death in 1977, they experienced many triumphs and challenges, especially during World War II while Kahala was deployed in Europe. Through the years, Barbara and Kahala worked to support their growing family and raised six children: Clarence, Barbara (deceased), James, Lucy, Rose, and Jennie. As a teenager, Barbara began her career in the retail industry working as a clerk at Liberty House in Honolulu. The manager of Cornet Store in Kane`ohe for many years, she retired in 1970 then decided to go back to school to get her high school diploma, earning her G.E.D. at the age of 47. She pursued many interests including gardening, painting, leimaking, Hawaiian quilting, traveling, and reading, though her utmost passion was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart. Barbara is survived by her children: Clarence Kahala Watson, Jr. (Jasmine); James Keali`i Watson (Rose), Lucy Moana Kema (Paul), Rose Lee Lani Christ (Rolf), and Jennie Lehua Watson (Ippolito Lucchesi); eight grandchildren: Derrick Kahala Watson (Gloriann), Kimberly Anne Kehaulani Watson, Donaldson Moku Santiago (Suzanne), Aaron Kalani Langhoff, Janine Nohealani Wu (Kyle Cole-Heavens), Paul Ehukai Kema II (Ashley); Matthew Lee Kema (Caroline Ritson), and Jonathan Kapono Kema; and ten great-grandchildren. Due to current gathering restrictions, no funeral service will be held. A celebration of Barbara's life for family and friends will be scheduled at a later date.
93, passed away at her home in Kane`ohe on March 29, 2020, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. Barbara was born on March 24, 1927 in Honolulu to Roselyn K. Lee and Brethed Wayland. She was raised by her mother in Papakolea along with her younger sister, Dolores. They lived with Barbara's close-knit `ohanagrandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended Roosevelt High School. In 1943, she noticed a young player, Clarence Kahala Watson, on the basketball court. They met and fell in love, and at the age of 16, she married him. Together for 34 years until Kahala's death in 1977, they experienced many triumphs and challenges, especially during World War II while Kahala was deployed in Europe. Through the years, Barbara and Kahala worked to support their growing family and raised six children: Clarence, Barbara (deceased), James, Lucy, Rose, and Jennie. As a teenager, Barbara began her career in the retail industry working as a clerk at Liberty House in Honolulu. The manager of Cornet Store in Kane`ohe for many years, she retired in 1970 then decided to go back to school to get her high school diploma, earning her G.E.D. at the age of 47. She pursued many interests including gardening, painting, leimaking, Hawaiian quilting, traveling, and reading, though her utmost passion was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart. Barbara is survived by her children: Clarence Kahala Watson, Jr. (Jasmine); James Keali`i Watson (Rose), Lucy Moana Kema (Paul), Rose Lee Lani Christ (Rolf), and Jennie Lehua Watson (Ippolito Lucchesi); eight grandchildren: Derrick Kahala Watson (Gloriann), Kimberly Anne Kehaulani Watson, Donaldson Moku Santiago (Suzanne), Aaron Kalani Langhoff, Janine Nohealani Wu (Kyle Cole-Heavens), Paul Ehukai Kema II (Ashley); Matthew Lee Kema (Caroline Ritson), and Jonathan Kapono Kema; and ten great-grandchildren. Due to current gathering restrictions, no funeral service will be held. A celebration of Barbara's life for family and friends will be scheduled at a later date.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
