Rosalie Lawas Quintal's Obituary
Our Mom, Rosalie Lawas Quintal, was born on May 27, 1942, in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, to Alfredo Canencia Lawas and Mary “Precious” Cabanlit Lawas, as Rosalie Theresa Lawas.
After a long and courageous battle with dementia, kidney illness, and cancer, Mom entered at‑home hospice under our loving care and the support of the skilled Navian team. During those three weeks, she was surrounded by an abundance of love—visited daily and often around-the-clock by family and friends—until she passed peacefully on the morning of July 15, 2026.
Many affectionately called her “Roz.” She lived a life filled with cherished moments and simple joys, especially those that allowed her creativity to shine. Mom had a special talent for working with her hands: baking ono desserts, crafting scrapbooks, assembling photo albums, planting and nurturing tropical flowers, and designing beautiful bonsai rock gardens.
Mom graduated from St. Francis School in Mānoa in 1960. She later attended Dabney’s School for college in Seattle, where she studied as a medical assistant and graduated in 1962—opening the door to a long, fulfilling career as a nurse aide and medical office manager for the private practice of Dr. Lucy Ma, OB first, and then Dr. Frederick Dodge, then Dr. Thomas Cahil and Dr. Paul Lin. She served them, and hundreds of patients, with dedication and heart for over four decades until her retirement on 2017. Retirement gave her more time to enjoy life’s quieter pleasures, including lunch outings with her sister, Mary Jane, and tending to her beloved garden.
In the 60’s, Mom met and fell in love with our Dad, Sonny Quintal. They married May 18,1963 and began building their family, welcoming Shelly in 1965 and Sheldon in 1967. They raised their children in the Ewa Plantation Villages and eventually made Makakilo their home—where the family still resides today, and where Mom took her last breath.
Rosalie was a devoted mother, mother‑in‑law, grandmother, and great‑grandmother. She was blessed with—and deeply loved—by her grandchildren: Kamoe, Bradson, Linden (+), Kaitlin, Kahealani, Kawailani, Kalenaku, Kamalani, and Kamaile; and her great‑grandchildren: Kehani, Irie, Kamoe, Jr., Pohaku, Keakua, Lokela, Haisley, Iolana, Kauahe, and Kaohu. She was joyfully anticipating the arrival of two more great‑grandchildren.
Mom is survived and dearly missed by:
Daughter Shelly (Warren); son Sheldon (Ana); 8 grandchildren; hanai grandson Kalei Cunningham; 10 great‑grandchildren; sister Mary Jane Acedilla; siblings‑in‑law Aletha (Hank), Pedro Sr. (Cynthia), and Abraham (Yolanda); as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and loved ones.
Preceded in death by beloved:
Parents - Alfredo Lawas and Mary Lawas
Husband - Theodore “Sonny” Quintal
Sister - Pearlynn Daguman
Grandson - Linden Jordan Quintal
Funeral services and the rite of a Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at:
St. Jude Catholic Church in Kapolei/Makakilo
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Visitation
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Family Program
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Fellowship luncheon
Hawaii State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāne‘ohe
2:00 p.m. Commital Service, followed by a private burial
Mahalo to all for the love, prayers, and support you have shown our family during this difficult time.
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