Gloria Jean Kuriyama's Obituary
Gloria Kuriyama Obituary
Gloria “Pee Wee” J. Kuriyama (Tabion) age 78, of Waipahu, Hawaii, passed away peacefully at her Hale on September 20, 2023. She was born on December 14, 1944 and grew-up in the Poamoho and Wahiawa area during the pineapple and sugarcane “good old” days to father Lorenzo (departed) (Florida) Tabion Sr and mother Mary (Frank, both departed) Perez.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, George Sr, son George (departed) Jr, daughter Gina (Keith Sr) Castilio, grandsons Keith Castilio Jr, Shaydon Castilio and Bryson Castilio; siblings Ben Balios (departed), Fred Tabion (departed), Eleanor (Walt) Machnicki, Vangie Galisa (departed), Joe (Nancy) Tabion, Phil Tabion Sr, Danny (departed) (Sheryl) Tabion, Darlene (Mike) Moran, Shirley (Darrin) Kaya, Michael Perez (departed), Larry (Dionna) Tabion, Florence Tabion (departed), Marilyn (Brian, departed) Asukura and Lorenzo (Marcie) Tabion Jr.
Gloria worked at Love’s Bakery for over 30+ years from the old original Kapuhulu Ave location to the new location on Middle Street. She was also a former ILWU Union Representative, advocating and fighting for the hard-working workers.
She loved having great time in a fun competitive team-spirit bowling leagues with her husband, George, brother Danny, sister-in-law Sheryl, sister Vangie, BFF Rose and her husband Ernie Acohido, back in the days when it was for Trophy awards.
In the 1970’s - 1980’s was lots of family picnics at the beach and camping where she and the other aunties and grandma would cook while everyone would be whipping for Papio, playing all day in the water or sand, sitting around “talking story” and of course, playing cards. The 1990’s, she had lots of fun playing “cricket” in darts for friendly family competition, singing Karaoke and playing cards to the “wee” hours of the early mornings and laughing having a grand time. She was also very “Savvy” and “Akamai” in a whole lot of things, such as building her Karaoke machine with speakers and all the other equipment before when it was more complicated and not easy like in today’s technology. On her past time, she enjoyed playing Tsum Tsum on her 4 iPad tablets in her many groups.
Gloria was a very, very special person. She may be firm and straightforward, but she was so, so very generous and giving without expecting anything in return. She always made their Hale open to anyone that needed a place to stay when visiting, needed a place to stay, or from nephews and nieces that wanted to sleep over for the weekend or school breaks. That extended to the next generation’s Keikis that wanted to sleep over on the weekends because she setup a “game-like room” for them to play Xbox, Nintendo handheld game and just about all the other electronic brands and all the new games when it releases! She would go to the world’s end for her 3 grandsons and most importantly, loved and spoiled them unconditionally!
She is now our Guardian Angel and has Graced us with all Her Love, shared and taught all of us so many things that only a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend could ever do and be. She was genuinely rare “old-school” soul and will be tremendously missed, but as our Guardian Angel, she will always be in our Hearts and we are Blessed to Cherish all of the most wonderful times we all shared with Her for our memories to keep…until we meet again.
Her Celebration of her Wonderful Life is on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Mililani Mauka Chapel. Visitation at 9:00 am and Services at 10:30 am. Please let me know if the picture is okay and not too grainy. I can send another picture and hopefully it’s not grainy as well. Please reply back to all so I know you got this email. Thank you for everything!
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