Joyce Van Zwalenburg's Obituary
Joyce (Jay) Van Zwalenburg, 93, of Kuau, died September 25, 2021 at her home, slipping peacefully and quietly away after a long decline. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Mom was born in 1928 to Andy and Nina Biddle, in Jackson, California, where her parents had landed after meeting, marrying, and living in Hawaii for several years. The family returned to the islands a year later and Mom, a consummate island girl, never quite forgave them for having her while in California. They settled in Kaimuki, where Jay was taught to swim by family friend Sarge Kahanamoku at the Waikiki Natatorium, witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor, and learned that walking the length of Hotel Street was perfectly safe as long as she was with her father, who apparently knew everyone who hung out there. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1946, she sailed with her parents on the Lurline for California and a cross-country drive to meet relatives she’d never met, then returning to the Bay Area to study History at Mills College, and later at Stanford University.
After college Mom came home to Hawaii and married Paul R. Van Zwalenburg of Manoa in 1952. As a young couple they participated in the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association management trainee program, which gave the two Oahu kids the opportunity to live for several months on multiple islands and decide which they liked best. Ultimately it was Puunene on Maui that felt like home and this is where Mom raised and trained collies, as well as her three children. She and Dad taught us the importance of reading, education, and treating animals with love and kindness. Mom quickly jumped into numerous volunteer activities, beginning her lifelong commitment to the Maui County community. This included active participation in shaping County government as President of the Maui Citizen’s Association for Good Government, and working on various political campaigns, as well as having a hand in the incorporation of the Maui Friends of the Library. Chances are very good that her dogs were often the better behaved than the kids.
In 1965 the family, including dogs, cats and kids, moved to Honolulu. Over the next nine years Mom managed to run a household and hold a job while getting a Masters in Library Science from University of Hawaii. The kids survived on a year of frozen Swanson dinners. After graduation, she landed a job as Head of Circulation in Hamilton Library where she made numerous close friends and further reinforced on all of us the importance of books, libraries, and education.
Mom returned permanently to Maui in 1974, as the county District Librarian with her office in the beautiful Wailuku Library. Mom soon built and settled into her beloved Kuau home where she lived the rest of her long, full life. She retired in 1990, spending much of her free time continuing her volunteer work with numerous organizations including the Japanese Cultural Society, Maui Friends of the Library, the Kaunoa Senior Center, and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. She was a long standing volunteer at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center from the day it opened through 2018. It kept her young, exposing her to a wide variety of shows and experiences, while also giving her the chance to interact with many fellow Mauians as she ushered, answered the phone, and took tickets at the door.
Those of us who knew her know she valued friends, newspapers, books, good shows on TV, opera, the ocean, Hawaiian culture, animals, the MACC, and her independence. She was a fierce friend and advocate to those she cared about, and a wonderful mother to us.
Jay was predeceased by her daughter, Karol, and survived by her children Kim (Jim Counihan) and Paul (Marnie Foust), as well as grandchildren Maggie and Kevin Counihan, Keoni Van Zwalenburg, and Kate and Lila Van Zwalenburg. Jay also leaves behind many close friends and extended family.
A service is planned for 5.30 pm on June 16, 2022, at Good Shepard Church in Wailuku. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to causes she felt strongly about: Maui Friends of the Library, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Japanese Cultural Society, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Hospice Maui, Maui Humane Society or any of the many other deserving organizations that contribute to the Maui County community.
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