Thelma Kikue Koja's Obituary
Thelma Kikue Koja, 94, of Kula, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2016 at Kula Hospital with her loving family by her side.
Services honoring Mrs. Koja will be held at the Paia Rinzai Zen Mission on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Visitation will begin at 10:00am, with memorial service beginning at 11:00am. Nakamura Mortuary is assisting with arrangements.
Thelma was born in Wailuku on June 9, 1922 to Ihachi & Kana Matsuda. She married Henry E. Koja and together they raised six children and maintained farms upcountry. Mrs. Koja was excellent in the kitchen. If you were lucky enough to have a meal prepared by Thelma, you could taste the labor and love she poured into each meal. Among friends and family, she was known especially for her takuan. Beyond the kitchen, she was always had an ongoing crafting project. In more recent times, Mrs. Koja was sharing her skills, teaching other patients at Kula Hospital how to quilt. She will be remembered as a warm, loving, and social woman who took care of those around her.
Thelma was predeceased by her beloved husband, Henry E. Koja; son, David Takeshi Koja; and grandson, Dennis Machado. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, sons, Henry, William (Joyce), and Edward Koja; daughters, Alma Machado, and Eileen Hayashi; grandchildren, Chris (Spring), Clinton, and Tiffany Koja; greatgrandchildren, Desmond & Daylan Machado, and Preston & Peyton Koja. She is also survived by brothers, Gene, Gary (Helen), Glen (Eldene) Matsuda; sisters, Charlotte Kini, June Nakamura, & Ernell (Koki) Matsuda; and many loving nieces and nephews.
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