Mary Elizabeth Shibao's Obituary
Mary Elizabeth Shibao, 81, of Mililani, Hawaii, passed away on April 16, 2026 – one year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer – surrounded by four generations of family.
Born on May 23, 1944 to Paul and Amelia Lynch and raised in Avoca, a small town in western New York, Mary will best be remembered for her generous heart and adventurous spirit. In her early years, Mary was a popular girl known for her high school pranks and athletics whose dream of traveling the world led her to a job with the CIA in Washington, DC and then to the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam War. It was at a dance in Saigon, Vietnam in 1967 that she met an equally spirited helicopter pilot, Lincoln Shibao, from Kapaa, an even smaller town on the Island of Kauai. After a year of courting in Vietnam, Lincoln won her hand and the two were married in October 1968.
Once married, Mary spent the next 16 years moving across the U.S. as an army spouse, raising their children, Stacy and Lincoln II, and working in the federal civil service until Lincoln retired from the military in 1984 and the family settled permanently in Hawaii. Mary and Lincoln then spent two decades working for the Department of Defense. During her career and after retirement, Mary continued to travel throughout Europe, Asia and across the U.S. She was a frequent visitor to see Stacy and her family in the Washington, DC metro area, as well as a stalwart supporter of her seven grandchildren in their youth, high school and college sports, attending games from Hawaii to Massachusetts and many places in between.
In retirement, Mary was an avid gardener, reader and restorer of old furniture. She loved her exercise friends and morning Sudoku, walking her son’s two Shiba Inu dogs, and teaching nursery rhymes to her great granddaughters. She enjoyed volunteering in the local elementary schools, always had at least one pet (and often more), and loved “talking story” with neighbors, fellow dog walkers and friends. Mary celebrated her 80th birthday with a trip to Scotland and Ireland with her two sisters and her daughter.
Mary’s passion for life also manifested itself in kindness and generosity. Her house was always filled with neighborhood children, friends and family. The rooms in the house and the family futon were often at capacity, with many guests staying for a year or more to attend college, regain their footing or simply to have a place to call home. She was incapable of turning away anyone in need and stayed in touch with so many, including those from her youth in Avoca.
Mary was also one to welcome others to celebrate holidays big and small, from Easter egg hunts to flying carp on Boys’ Day. Family came in droves for her home-cooked meals and baked goods. Her favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas, where Mary would bring out the holiday decorations – both heirloom and homemade – and fill the house with the smell of fresh baked rolls, pies and cookies.
For her family and friends, Mary’s absence leaves us with an emptiness in our hearts but a certainty that she has found her place in heaven with those who transitioned before her.
Mary is survived by her husband Lincoln; her daughter Stacy Papadopoulos, husband Mark and their children, George, Tessa and Henry; her son Lincoln Shibao II, wife Kelli, their children Shanztyn, Lexzen, Breli and Sage, and great-granddaughters Hunter and Tatum; sisters Patricia Culpepper and Kathryn Moreau; in-laws Gordon and Shirley Shibao and Susan and Bob Allen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones. She was preceded in death by brothers Paul Michael Lynch and Dennis Lynch.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel. Visitation begins at 5:30 p.m., service at 6:30 p.m. and refreshments and food to follow. Aloha attire is welcomed.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?