Mieko Fujinaka Crowell's Obituary
Mieko (“Micky”) Fujinaka Crowell left to be in the company of her Lord and Savior on the morning of January 1, 2025, her 103rd birthday, in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. She was born January 1, 1922, in Kahului, Maui to Tokiyoshi and Sute Goto Fujinaka, both from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
Mieko married Stephen Sallee Crowell, of Pukalani (born in Rockford, Iowa), on May 6, 1944. They were married for 44 years until Steve's death in 1988. Steve’s job took them to Guam in 1952 where they resided until 1978. They had four daughters and one son, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Mieko was preceded in death by: her parents, one daughter--Barbara Jean, her brothers Gary (Sadie) Fujinaka and Makoto (Elinor) Fujinaka, two of her sisters Chieko (Mamoru) Wada and Fumie (Harry) Tanoue, and her husband Steve Crowell.
Her family that survive her are: sisters Rachel Fujinaka and Yukiko (Stan) Shigemura, daughters Stephanie Stucky, Phyllis (David) Crowell-Van Hammen, and Mary Lou Barra, and son Daniel (Whitney) Crowell; grandchildren Amy Barra, Bilqis (Cory) Brown, and Logan, Coda, and Tayte Crowell; and great grandchildren Dominic DeLozier and Wyatt, Jaxon, Charles, and Eleanor Brown. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews for whom she was “Auntie Micky".
Mieko graduated from Maui High School in 1939. She earned a BA and MA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Guam, and worked for over 20 years as a teacher and administrator for Guam DOE. Upon her retirement, the family moved back to Maui where she renewed her membership at, and dedication to, Kahului Union Church. For the last 30+ years of her life, as a deacon and a faithful member of KUC, Mieko regularly visited the sick and the elderly, attended and often led Bible study classes, and participated very actively in the life of the Church. Her whole life, Mieko was a good and faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Kahului Union Church, 101 W Kamehameha Ave., Kahului, HI 96732, with Visitation from 9 to 9:50, and Service at 10:00 a.m.. There will be a reception/light meal following in Puaaiki Hall next door to the Sanctuary. In place of flowers, contributions in Mieko's memory may be made to Hospice Maui. Go to: hospicemaui.org
[Mieko’s ashes will be laid to rest at Makawao Cemetery, next to her beloved husband, at a later date.]
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