Non‑Discrimination Policy
Remembering Our Residents
Posted September 15, 2015
During the time that our residents are here in our nursing homes, friendships are created and cultivated and they become like family. When one of our residents passes away the loss is felt by everyone here, especially the residents. Many of our residents are not able to attend funeral services for their friends because of declined health, immobility or other similar reasons. Those that remain don’t have the opportunity to say their final goodbyes and properly grieve their loss.
On September 4, 2015, Hale Makua Kahului held its first memorial service in Hale Anela (our spiritual room). Leading the memorial was Chaplin Nalani Archibeque, who was influential in the development of Hale Anela. Nalani recited a poem, passed out flowers that represented a person who has passed, and rang a peace bell in honor of each of them. Everyone that attended this memorial service had an opportunity to share a memory or special thought they had for someone that was being honored and remembered.
Top photo is the plumeria tree planted in honor of Dorothy Romson. Photo on the left shows Dorothy Romson in 1994 being recognized for her contributions to Hale Makua. On the right, a bowl of plumeria flowers are passed around at the memorial service in Hale Anela.
Another memorial and tree planting ceremony was held at our Wailuku nursing home for Dorothy Romson on September 9, 2015. Dorothy was the Director of Nursing of Hale Makua from 1964 to 1984. Her commitment and service didn’t end there. She returned to Hale Makua as a dedicated volunteer, helping four days a week in whatever capacity was needed. She was part of the Volunteer Auxiliary at Hale Makua and helped start Hale Makua’s Thrift Store in 1989, where she put in many long hours of hard work.
Dorothy especially loved Easter. Every year she provided supplies for the residents and staff to do Pysanka, a Ukrainian Easter egg decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist (batik) method. Dorothy volunteered at Hale Makua for almost as long as she was employed. As her health declined, Dorothy became a resident at Care Homes by Hale Makua where she was able to care for most of her needs, but needed a little help now and then. Later, when Dorothy could no longer care for herself, she entered our nursing home in Wailuku where she lived out her final days.
Dorothy’s recent passing is a great loss for everyone that had the opportunity to know her. Dorothy’s family planted a beautiful plumeria tree at our Wailuku homes in her honor during the memorial service. The residents, staff, friends and family in attendance at her memorial felt peace remembering her life and contributions to our organization.
The memorial services at Kahului in Hale Anela will be held quarterly, giving our residents and their families, along with staff members an opportunity to fellowship and say farewell to friends and loved ones. It is a chance to pay respects to those we have lost, but have had the privilege to get to know and care for during our time here.