Birdena Yvette Samuel's Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Birdena Yvette Samuel, a cherished resident of Hawaiʻi, on January 20th, 2024, at the age of 73. Birdena's vibrant spirit and boundless energy touched the lives of all who knew her. Birdena was preceded in death by her mother, Louise F. Samuel; father, Luther Samuel, Jr.; and sister, Vivian E. Samuel. She is survived by her beloved niece, Antoinette (Tonie) Tinsley-Bennett, great-niece, Desiree Schmeda-Bennett; and great-nephew, Antoine Bennett and leaves behind a legacy of joy, creativity, and unwavering advocacy for the causes she held dear.
Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Birdena, alongside her late, younger sister Vivian, embraced the life of a military family, moving from North Carolina to Connecticut and arriving in Hawaiʻi in 1959. Hawaiʻi became their permanent home, where they were warmly embraced as Kamaʻāina. Birdena's educational journey took her from Radford High School's class of 1969 to the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and Texas Southern University.
Birdena's adventurous spirit soared as she traveled the world as a Flight Attendant for Continental Airlines. Her return to Hawaiʻi marked a new chapter where she pursued her passions in journalism, communication, art, and music.
Her professional life was as diverse and colorful as her personality. From bartending at country clubs to gracing the pages of magazines like Ebony as a model, Birdena embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm. Birdena concluded her career dedicated to clinical and biomedical research, making significant contributions as a certified Institutional Review Board Quality Assurance professional at the University of Maryland Medical School. She retired in 2021 and returned home to Hawai’i.
A fervent advocate for civil rights, Birdena's activism spanned decades, from her involvement with the Black Students Union at the University of Hawaiʻi to supporting Black Lives Matter. She continued to be very active in the community after retirement holding leadership roles in community organizations, including the Leeward Pilots Club and Honolulu Towers Condominium Board of Directors, and was dedicated to ending homelessness through her work with the Institute for Human Services.
Birdena's passion for life extended to her love for fishing, boating, and, most notably, her cats. Her companions over the years, including Brisco, Bosco, Bruno, Bansai, Blaze, and Bianca, were a testament to her nurturing spirit. Birdena was also a devoted member of the Sand Island Cat Lovers, a nonprofit dedicated to caring for feral cats in Hawaiʻi.
Birdena's life was a testament to the power of embracing every moment with passion and purpose. Her story inspires us to live fully, love deeply, and advocate tirelessly for a better world. She will be profoundly missed but forever remembered as a beacon of light in the lives of many.
As we witness the sun setting beyond the clouds and see the rainbow, we are reminded of Birdena's transformative journey. We find comfort in the belief that a cloud never dies, and in this spirit, we bid our beloved Birdena, our Kuʻuipo, a heartfelt Aloha ʻOe Ka Lā Hiki Ola.
There will be no official services held. Please remember Birdena in the little things, in the light ocean breeze, in the beautiful sunset rays, and in carefree laughter.
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