Mary Ann Ah Chan's Obituary
Aloha ʻoe, ka pua onaona, sweet lei ʻawapuhi
Kulu ka waimaka, uwē ka ʻōpua,
puhia i ka makani Hoʻolua.
You are love, fragrant flower, sweet lei ʻawapuhi
The tears fall, the clouds weep,
blown in the Hoʻolua wind.
On Saturday morning, July 1, 2023, surrounded by family, Mary Ann Ah Chan passed peacefully, in her home in Kūʻau, Paia at the age of 88. Born on March 20, 1935 in Puʻunēnē, she was the third child and eldest daughter of Henry Seichi and Lucy Sosa Kenui. In 1953, she worked for Maui Pine, moving on to the Maui Palms Hotel in 1956, where on New Yearʻs Eve met her future husband William K. Ah Chan of Kūʻau. Moving to Oʻahu to work and raise their family, Mary Ann began her professional career as an accountant for the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate Trust, Kamehameha Schools. With no formal training or education, using only sheer determination, will, and a natural affinity for numbers, she rose the ranks and retired as Head Supervisor of Accounts Receivable in 1991, with over 30 years of outstanding service. Soon after retiring, Mary Ann began her second career as a tax preparer for H&R Block, starting on Oʻahu then returning back to Maui in 1994. Passionate for this type of work, she provided over 25 years of dutiful service to H&R Block, retiring at the age of 80, after having received several awards for efficiency and effectiveness as well as praise from her ever loyal clients who still ask for her by name. She was a talented, energetic and resourceful woman who also sang with a voice as sweet as the ʻākepa bird of Maui, full of living expressions echoing her two heritages, Hawaiian and Puertorican. She will be remembered as an honest, faithful, straightforward and meticulous woman, ever loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunty who believed in family first, working hard, making the most of what you have and taking care of the things you do and whose daily practice included strong family values of loving and
togetherness.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William K. Ah Chan (1993), eldest son William Kaunoa Ah Chan (2023), granddaughter Adele Ah Chan (2019), brothers Henry, Clarence, James, Gary & Stanley Kenui and sister, Leimomi Figueroa. She is survived by sisters Elaine Rodriques, Maile Nakamura, Geraldine Bell, Lani Kukaua & husband Louis. Children: Mikahala Helm(Guy Helm), Wilbert K. Ah Chan (Tiana Tui), Wayne K. Ah Chan (Heidi Anderson), Wanda S. Pūlama Collier (Robert Collier Jr.), & Wesley Ah Chan (Uʻilani Ah Chan). Grandchildren: Lisa Among (Chris), Chad Helm (Charla), Rusty
Oura (Jon), Richard Van Barriger (Heidi), Bradley Bowlin Ah Chan (Chalysse); William Kaʻaimoku Ah Chan, Tiana, Angela & Siu Tui; Joshua, Ashley & Justin Ah Chan; Kiaʻiokaʻuhane & Līhauakahianui Collier, Kekuakamahaʻo Richards; Christian & Cruise Ah Chan. Great Grandchildren: Noa, Carynn, Kaʻiwaʻiwa, Ola, William & Michael. Ezra, Ariel, Saualiʻi, Kaylian & Kadrian, Kaʻuhane, Cyrus, Roman, Aʻiyanna &
ʻOakalanikīponamakaʻīhonua,
Funeral services will be held on Saturday July 22, 2023 at Holy Rosary Church in Pāʻia.
Family visitation from 8-9. Public viewing 9-10. Services from 10-11. Mass 11-12.
Luncheon directly following Mass, at the dining hall.
All family and friends are welcome.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary Ann?
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Describe a day with Mary Ann you’ll never forget.
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