Maria Rosehill's Obituary
Maria Kawahinehoomanawanui (Woman of Patience) Rosehill was born on November 2, 1925, to Delphine Caitano, Sr. and Susie Sau Kiam Aki in North Kohala, Hawaii.
Her mother was of Hawaiian Chinese descent. Her father was of Spanish English descent.
Her grandfather was a stowaway on his uncle's ship that sailed from Chile, South America to Hawaii. Her grandmother was of English Hawaiian descent form Kamuela, Hawaii.
Her mother was a schoolteacher. Her father was a Paniolo (cowboy) who worked for a ranch on the Big Island and later had his own spread of cattle.
Mom was the second youngest of 9 children, all deceased, leaving her the sole survivor for the last 5 _ years.
Mom first started school on horseback to a small school near the once Pineapple Cannery in Kohala. She later transferred to grade school where her mother once taught before she was born. Mom later attended the Kohala High and Elementary School. She walked 3 miles to school and 3 miles home.
During her senior year, she was occasionally called upon by the principal to substitute teach in the elementary school whenever a teacher was absent.
During her senior year, mom was active in sports. She was on the girls' basketball team as a forward player. They competed with other high schools on the island.
During the war, mom was a part of the Victory Corp that worked in the Kohala Plantation cane fields. She also joined a woman's group, knitting socks for the servicemen overseas.
Upon graduation, mom was approached by the principal to substitute teach a grade class for the school term. September - June.
She then moved to Hilo and first worked as a waitress in a Fine Dining Restaurant than as a hostess where she supervised waitresses, assigned them tables and greeted the guests.
Mom moved on and worked as a nurse's aide at a TB sanitarium (hospital) which after the tidal wave was abandoned and relocated at the old Hilo Airport.
Mom met and married Sadaki Hatada, a widower with an 8-year-old daughter (Henrietta) in 1946.
Mom had 3 children, Fred Masayuki Kawailani Hatada, who was killed in the Vietnam conflict in 1968, he was 19 years old: Michael Sadalichi Kanoelani Hatada of Federal Way, Washington and Mililani Chiyoko Mary Hatada of Honolulu. When her children reached school age, mom applied to a nursing school, received her license and worked as a private duty nurse for the terminally ill at the Hilo Memorial Hospital. Mom later gave up her nursing career for self-employment and opened her home to care for pre-school children. After her husband died in 1972, she only accepted the children of teachers and a principal so she could travel during the months of July and August when school was out on vacation. Her travels took her to 8 European countries, 16 States and Canada. Mom moved on and operated a licensed Care Home for the elderly, her last working years before retiring.
Mom married Andrew A. Rosehill of Honolulu, in 1986 and they resided in Hilo for 5 years and after she retired, they moved to Honolulu to make their permanent home. They enjoyed their retirement years, travelled to see their families on the mainland and also took cruises.
In 2007, Andrew passed away and mom settled to a quiet life, giving up travelling. She enjoyed playing Scrabble, Jigsaw puzzles, Crossword puzzles and read a lot.
The highlight of mom's life came in 1961, 47+ years ago when she heard the gospel of Jesus Christ preached by 2 homeless preachers who were going forth in faith after the example of the New testament Ministry established by Jesus, and where the people in the New Testament heard and accepted the message were first called Christians and met in homes.
Mom accepted this same message of the gospel which changed her course in life and delivered her from the tradition of her parents organized religion by becoming a part of this great fellowship of Christians who still meet in homes today after the example of the New Testament Churches.
Mom is survived by son, Michael Hatada; daughter, Mililani Hatada; Sadaki's, daughter, Henrietta Hatada Ito (Wilfred) of San Rafael, California; Andrew's children, Analu (Patty) Rosehill of Houston, Texas; Russell (Judy) Rosehill of Forth Worth, Texas and Ruth Frank) Samuel of Honolulu; nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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