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Havana Leinani <I>Johnson</I> McLafferty

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Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty

Birth
Lahaina, Maui County, Hawaii, USA
Death
10 Oct 2014 (aged 90)
Kaneohe, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA
Burial
Kaneohe, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA Add to Map
Plot
Eternal Love # 10, Lot 1427, A-1
Memorial ID
View Source
Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty

Oct. 10, 2014
Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty, 90, of Kailua, a homemaker, died in Kaneohe. She was born in Lahaina.

She is survived by husband Norman V.; sons Pat, Tim and Danny; daughters Norvana “Cissy” Miranda, Cindy Cobb-Adams, Maureen “Pua” McLafferty and Kathy Ice; brothers John C. “JC” Johnson; sister Gwendolyn “Gwenie” Johnson-Young; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Services: 11 a.m. Online condolences: hawaiianmemorialparkmortuary.com.

Published On October 31st, 2014 - Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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Obituary for Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty
Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty: A Celebration of Life

Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty, age 90, of Ewa Beach, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2014 at Ann Pearl Nursing Home. She was born the eldest of seven children in Lahaina in the home of her grandparents, Lily Pali Kalepa and Ma’ihui Kalepa. She was raised in Kapahulu by her mother Susan Pa’ao’ao Kalepa Johnson from Lahaina, and Harry Johnson from Hearn, Texas along with her six siblings, Gwen, Susan, Nonnie, J.C., Ritchie and Nita.

She was a devoted wife to Norman “Mac” for seventy-one years and a loving mother to her ten children. She is preceded in death by her three sons, Michael, Dennis and Brian; two brothers, Nonnie and Ritchie; and two sisters Susan and Nita. She is survived by her husband Norman “Mac”, age 94; three sons, Pat (Mary), Tim (Marge), and Dan (Sue); and four daughters, Norvana “Cissy” (Junior Tejada), Cindy (Smith Cobb-Adams), Maureen “Pua”, and Kathy (Larry Ice); fourteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister Gwen Young and brother J.C. Johnson.

Visitation at 10:00 a.m. November 6, 2014 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary Chapel in Kaneohe. Memorial Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Flowers welcome.

Aunty Havana, as she was known by many, lived a full life and used her voice, passion and commitment to serve various communities over many decades. She was an integral member of Ka Lahui Hawaii where she worked on the rights of native Hawaiians, sovereignty, and participated in legislative hearings, and protests. She served as an advisory board member to OHA on the Halawa Luluku Interpretative Development project. She also worked to support various efforts such as the implementation of the O’ahu Historic Preservation Commission and the O’ahu Island Burial Council on the protocol for handling the sacred iwi [bones of the ancestors].

She was an active member of the Ko’olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club from 1972 – 1984 where she chaired scholarship fashion show fundraisers with local designer Nake’u Awai.

Involvement with the Catholic Church was very important to who she was and she worked for many years on numerous groups and initiatives within the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu. Aunty Havana was involved with the Catholic Leadership Movement “Cursillo” and was a director for the woman’s leadership retreat. She also served on the Advisory Board for Catholic Social Services from 1975-1981. In the early 1970’s she taught Catechism to the young children in Kaaawa. She was also involved with the Catholic Youth Organization for many years as a paid and volunteer cook for summer camps at CYO Camp Hauula in the mid-1970’s. She also worked as a preschool teacher at CYO Hauula in the late 1970’s. She was best known as a great cook and was often requested to cook for various religious retreats at St. Stephens Seminary, and also for the Bishop, the Monsignor and many other religious clergy who resided at the seminary. In her younger years she was a beloved member of the Chief Petty Officers Wives Club where she participated in and planned various social and cultural events for military wives adjusting to island life in Hawaii and various fundraisers.

What endeared our mom to many was her love of life, her wonderful and kolohe sense of humor, her laughter [Frank DeLima invited her to attend the taping of his first recording because he wanted her laugh on it!] Her sister once said, “The party didn’t begin until Havana arrived!” She loved people and wasn’t shy about impromptu hula and ukulele playing. In addition to her playful side, she was often sought out for her wise and grounded advice about parenting, marriage and life. She was an avid reader and found inspiration in the writings of Maya Angelou, Leo Buscaglia and all the Chicken Soup for the Hawaiian Soul books.

Aunty Havana & Uncle Mac traveled to all but a dozen states and took numerous trips to various parts of the U.S., Mexico [three times] and Canada. Together they’ve traveled twice by plane, bus, train and car from Hawaii, across the continental U.S., and back again.

In 1952, she boarded the ship, the U.S.S. Ryan, alone with four young sons, (Mike, Pat, Dennis and Timmy – they were 8 years old, 7, 2, and 6 months) on a 21 day journey that would take her from Honolulu, across the China Sea to Okinawa, Yokohama and Tokyo where she joined our father on his two year tour of duty overseeing naval cargo and supply at Tokyo International. They settled in Kamakura, Japan. She said this was her favorite tour of duty.

After the age of 70 she took up watercolor painting and has left behind some of her beautiful artwork. For many years she made beautiful humu papa [feather leis], and lei hulu [bottle-brush looking feather leis]. She was also known for her beautiful haku leis and floral arrangements and made arrangements for many weddings and other events. In her life she brought her name Leinani to life whether she was making haku wili with flowers, feather, story, community, people or prayers. This was a special kuleana that she was blessed with and carried it with beauty and grace.

Being a storyteller was essential to who our mother was. She often lived in and through the stories, messages and dreams that came toward her, connecting the seemingly mundane with the extraordinary and finding the pathway into insight, wholeness, spiritual comfort, healing and sometimes humor in how she would weave these together. A gift less known to others was her power of dreaming. She often saw in her dreams, events and visions of people and situations occurring or moving toward her or a loved one. This was a gift that most of her children and grandchildren have stories about, having received her timely and prophetic phone calls about caution or forewarning or to simply hold us during a difficult time in our lives. Her gift of seeing was always heeded.

The way that our mom could light up a room with her smile and presence will be greatly missed. She’s had a long and beautiful life and has left behind many wonderful memories that we will cherish. Her family is grateful for having so many years with her. Join her ohana in celebrating her life. a hui hou malama pono.
Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty

Oct. 10, 2014
Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty, 90, of Kailua, a homemaker, died in Kaneohe. She was born in Lahaina.

She is survived by husband Norman V.; sons Pat, Tim and Danny; daughters Norvana “Cissy” Miranda, Cindy Cobb-Adams, Maureen “Pua” McLafferty and Kathy Ice; brothers John C. “JC” Johnson; sister Gwendolyn “Gwenie” Johnson-Young; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Services: 11 a.m. Online condolences: hawaiianmemorialparkmortuary.com.

Published On October 31st, 2014 - Honolulu Star-Advertiser
--------------------------------------

Obituary for Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty
Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty: A Celebration of Life

Havana Leinani Johnson McLafferty, age 90, of Ewa Beach, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2014 at Ann Pearl Nursing Home. She was born the eldest of seven children in Lahaina in the home of her grandparents, Lily Pali Kalepa and Ma’ihui Kalepa. She was raised in Kapahulu by her mother Susan Pa’ao’ao Kalepa Johnson from Lahaina, and Harry Johnson from Hearn, Texas along with her six siblings, Gwen, Susan, Nonnie, J.C., Ritchie and Nita.

She was a devoted wife to Norman “Mac” for seventy-one years and a loving mother to her ten children. She is preceded in death by her three sons, Michael, Dennis and Brian; two brothers, Nonnie and Ritchie; and two sisters Susan and Nita. She is survived by her husband Norman “Mac”, age 94; three sons, Pat (Mary), Tim (Marge), and Dan (Sue); and four daughters, Norvana “Cissy” (Junior Tejada), Cindy (Smith Cobb-Adams), Maureen “Pua”, and Kathy (Larry Ice); fourteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister Gwen Young and brother J.C. Johnson.

Visitation at 10:00 a.m. November 6, 2014 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary Chapel in Kaneohe. Memorial Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Flowers welcome.

Aunty Havana, as she was known by many, lived a full life and used her voice, passion and commitment to serve various communities over many decades. She was an integral member of Ka Lahui Hawaii where she worked on the rights of native Hawaiians, sovereignty, and participated in legislative hearings, and protests. She served as an advisory board member to OHA on the Halawa Luluku Interpretative Development project. She also worked to support various efforts such as the implementation of the O’ahu Historic Preservation Commission and the O’ahu Island Burial Council on the protocol for handling the sacred iwi [bones of the ancestors].

She was an active member of the Ko’olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club from 1972 – 1984 where she chaired scholarship fashion show fundraisers with local designer Nake’u Awai.

Involvement with the Catholic Church was very important to who she was and she worked for many years on numerous groups and initiatives within the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu. Aunty Havana was involved with the Catholic Leadership Movement “Cursillo” and was a director for the woman’s leadership retreat. She also served on the Advisory Board for Catholic Social Services from 1975-1981. In the early 1970’s she taught Catechism to the young children in Kaaawa. She was also involved with the Catholic Youth Organization for many years as a paid and volunteer cook for summer camps at CYO Camp Hauula in the mid-1970’s. She also worked as a preschool teacher at CYO Hauula in the late 1970’s. She was best known as a great cook and was often requested to cook for various religious retreats at St. Stephens Seminary, and also for the Bishop, the Monsignor and many other religious clergy who resided at the seminary. In her younger years she was a beloved member of the Chief Petty Officers Wives Club where she participated in and planned various social and cultural events for military wives adjusting to island life in Hawaii and various fundraisers.

What endeared our mom to many was her love of life, her wonderful and kolohe sense of humor, her laughter [Frank DeLima invited her to attend the taping of his first recording because he wanted her laugh on it!] Her sister once said, “The party didn’t begin until Havana arrived!” She loved people and wasn’t shy about impromptu hula and ukulele playing. In addition to her playful side, she was often sought out for her wise and grounded advice about parenting, marriage and life. She was an avid reader and found inspiration in the writings of Maya Angelou, Leo Buscaglia and all the Chicken Soup for the Hawaiian Soul books.

Aunty Havana & Uncle Mac traveled to all but a dozen states and took numerous trips to various parts of the U.S., Mexico [three times] and Canada. Together they’ve traveled twice by plane, bus, train and car from Hawaii, across the continental U.S., and back again.

In 1952, she boarded the ship, the U.S.S. Ryan, alone with four young sons, (Mike, Pat, Dennis and Timmy – they were 8 years old, 7, 2, and 6 months) on a 21 day journey that would take her from Honolulu, across the China Sea to Okinawa, Yokohama and Tokyo where she joined our father on his two year tour of duty overseeing naval cargo and supply at Tokyo International. They settled in Kamakura, Japan. She said this was her favorite tour of duty.

After the age of 70 she took up watercolor painting and has left behind some of her beautiful artwork. For many years she made beautiful humu papa [feather leis], and lei hulu [bottle-brush looking feather leis]. She was also known for her beautiful haku leis and floral arrangements and made arrangements for many weddings and other events. In her life she brought her name Leinani to life whether she was making haku wili with flowers, feather, story, community, people or prayers. This was a special kuleana that she was blessed with and carried it with beauty and grace.

Being a storyteller was essential to who our mother was. She often lived in and through the stories, messages and dreams that came toward her, connecting the seemingly mundane with the extraordinary and finding the pathway into insight, wholeness, spiritual comfort, healing and sometimes humor in how she would weave these together. A gift less known to others was her power of dreaming. She often saw in her dreams, events and visions of people and situations occurring or moving toward her or a loved one. This was a gift that most of her children and grandchildren have stories about, having received her timely and prophetic phone calls about caution or forewarning or to simply hold us during a difficult time in our lives. Her gift of seeing was always heeded.

The way that our mom could light up a room with her smile and presence will be greatly missed. She’s had a long and beautiful life and has left behind many wonderful memories that we will cherish. Her family is grateful for having so many years with her. Join her ohana in celebrating her life. a hui hou malama pono.


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