Andrea Florence Motoyama's Obituary
Andrea Motoyama Obituary
Andrea Florence Motoyama was born to Vicente Pepito Flores and Elizabeth Chung Yea (Whang) Flores on November 30, 1927. She passed peacefully from this life on August 5, 2020 after a short illness.
The first of eight children, Andrea was born on the Big Island, in Hawi (North Kohala). Her family later moved to Pa’auilo, then Hamakua, before emigrating to central O’ahu. Andrea and her siblings lived at Helemano Camp, then Whitmore Village, where her parents remained until the end of their lives.
In 1950, Andrea married Richard Mitsugi Motoyama. They had two children, Scott and Stacie-Dee. Andrea had another child, Richard, from a previous marriage. Her husband’s military career led them to Stuttgart, Germany and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. They returned to Hawai’i in 1968.
Andrea had a long and distinguished career with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). Andrea started as an accounting clerk and retired as a department head. She was highly commended by her bosses and admired by her co-workers.
Andrea enjoyed gardening and had quite a green thumb. Most of all, she loved socializing. She continued to correspond with friends she made while stationed in Germany and PA. She was a faithful member of Our Lady of Sorrows parish.
Andrea was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Richard, and by her sisters and brothers, Josephine, Caroline, Norman and Joseph.
Andrea is survived by her sisters, Beatrice Tano (James), Frances Ishida (William), and Shirley Choy (Milton); her three children, Richard Lee (Maria), Scott Motoyama, and Stacie-Dee Motoyama (Paul); four grandchildren, Richard, Jr., Michelle, Kenneth, and Jaered; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
A private service was held on August 28. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, after the Covid-19 pandemic resolves. In lieu of gifts, please make a contribution to your favorite charity or to the Our Lady of Sorrows Forward in Faith Capital Campaign (https://www.olswahiawa.org/forward-in-faith.html).
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