Constance DeSantos' Obituary
Constance Theresa DeSantos “Connie, also fondly remembered as “Mama”, “Girly”, and “The Bread Lady of Kalihi”, 97, passed away peacefully on March 1st, 2023, in her home on Kilohana Street, Kalihi Uka, Honolulu, Hawaii. She was born to Mary and Manual Silva of Honolulu, Hawaii on January 31st, 1926, and was the last of 15 siblings to return home to God. She is preceded in death by her recently late sister Mary Varkonda of Windsor, Colorado, youngest daughter Regina DeSantos, and husband Albert DeSantos both of Honolulu, Hawaii. She is survived by her oldest daughter Victoria DeSantos and four grandchildren; Andrew Mamotos, Maylene Mamotos, Nicholas Rabago and Carly Rabago all of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Connie was a third-generation Portuguese immigrant to the Hawaiian Islands. She and her family walked in Faith with the Lord embracing Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church and its traditions for over 100 years. She graduated from Maryknoll Catholic High School in 1944 then became an LPN nurse for Queens Hospital in 1957. She then married Albert DeSantos in 1969 and retired to become a full-time mom in 1979. Through the losses of her husband and youngest daughter she still pioneered on with being a loving mother, and grandmother “mama” with solid values and a giving and forgiving heart. She lived her life doing everything with consistency, devotion and an unshakable grateful optimism. She loved her life of service to all, from providing a safe yard to play in, raw vegetable dishes, fruits, pets, and car rides to and from school to neighborhood children. To serving her parish church OLM music ministry through playing the piano and organ for daily masses, weddings, funerals etc. Also, strong support of various types of active committees; FACE, Renew International, Pastoral Council Committee, and many more. She cherished her ability to walk everywhere every day, with faith and trust of God at the forefront, to church daily, as a Eucharistic Minister to the sick, and to sell her delicious homemade Portuguese bread “balings” for the church’s Youth Outreach Program, becoming known as the “Bread lady of Kalihi”.
There will be a funeral mass for Connie at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church in Kalihi Uka, Honolulu, Hawaii on Monday April 10th, 9:30am. service with burial to follow at The Valley of the Temples Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Constance?
What’s a lesson you learned from Constance?
Share a story where Constance's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Constance you’ll never forget.
How did Constance make you smile?
