Mrs. Naomi Kekela passes away, 1902.

Expression of Gratitude

MRS. NAOMI KEKELA PASSES ON.

At 2 p. m. on August 30, 1902, at the home of Mrs. Susan Kekela, one of their daughters in Waianae, the angel of death came to take the spirit of Mrs. Naomi Kekela, and left behind her cold body in sadness.

HER FUNERAL PROCESSION.

The procession took place from the home where she died until the church, at 3:30 p. m., the services were held.

The words were related to the husband, children, and grandchildren of the deceased, and they were related to all the mourners in the church house. The congregation was filled with grieving hearts remembering the one who passed. The last words were of the pastor. Here is the essence of the words: “Mrs. Naomi Kekela passed on, for her eternal rest. Her work with us is over. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

It was the father Rev. J. Kekahuna who concluded the services for the deceased, and the earth returned to earth, as the saying goes: “You are earth, and you shall return there.” And Mrs. Naomi Kekela lay at the cemetery of the church of Waianae, and on the last day, Jesus will return, and everlasting beauty will be resurrected, made ready for his people who he chose from amongst this world.

With this, know, O faithful, and friends from Hawaii to Kauai, Mrs. Naomi Kekela is one of the first female missionaries from amongst Hawaii’s own women, sent to the Archipelago of Nuuhiwa for foreign service, by the Hawaiian Board of Missionaries [Papa Hawaii].

The two of them lived in that land proclaiming the light of life through Jesus, for 40 years or more. They returned to Hawaii to retire.

Left behind is her beloved husband, Rev. J. Kekela, and 4 daughters, and her grandchildren. There are a number of children and grandchildren in Nuuhiwa who are grieving here [there?] for their dearly beloved mother.

Mrs. Naomi Kekela was afflicted with a painful illness of the chest, and it is this pain that sapped her strength, and she went on the path of no return.

The Lord will ease His devout from sadness until He returns.

S. P. KAAIA.

Waianae, Sept. 1, 1902.

(Kuokoa, 9/12/1902, p. 5)

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke XL, Helu 37, Aoao 5. Sepatemaba 12, 1902.