Hawaii-born Sacred Hearts Sister Lucia Iwata, who served her calling and her community in a variety of ways, from cook and housekeeper, to religion teacher and eucharistic minister, to choir member and rosary maker, died unexpectedly at Straub Medical Center on June 30. She was 84 and in religious life for 63 years.
Sister Regina Mary Jenkins, provincial superior of the Sacred Hearts Sisters in Hawaii, described her as a quiet, reliable, welcoming member of the congregation who followed numerous pursuits and shared her many talents.
Sister Lucia entered the religious life when congregations had divisions of labor among its members. Having only a public grade school education, she was a “lay sister,” serving her community predominantly as a housekeeper and cook.
In the early 1960s, the categories of “lay sisters” and “choir sisters,” who were the teachers and administrators, were eliminated. Any sister, who so desired, was given the chance to further her education. Embracing this opportunity Sister Lucia attended classes in adult education and religious education.
“That really opened up her life,” said Sister Regina Mary Jenkins, provincial superior of the Sacred Hearts Sisters in Hawaii. “She enjoyed learning and doing all that she could.”
She earned her GED (high school diploma equivalent) from Farrington Adult Education High School. At Kapiolani Community College she took courses in menu planning and trained to become a nurses’ aide.
She also received training as a eucharistic minister and in religious education for adult and youth ministry. Sister Lucia made good use of her skills teaching religion classes at St. James Mission and Blessed Sacrament and St. Patrick parishes. She also would attend workshops in health, music and religion. All these courses served her well in the years that followed.
Lucy June Iwata was born on June 6, 1929, in Honolulu to Elizabeth Iwata and Chun Hing. As a child, she moved to Makawao, Maui, with her mother who married John Kahunanui. There Lucy was raised with three younger stepbrothers, Harry, John and Stephen, and a stepsister, Mildred.
She attended Makawao School until the eighth grade. At age 14, she was baptized a Catholic at St. Joseph Church, Makawao. Lucy enjoyed fond memories of the Sacred Hearts Fathers who were her pastors at St. Joseph, especially Father Raphael Smulders, whose friendship lasted many years.
As a teenager, she worked as a housemaid for the Baldwin family for five years. When she was 20 years old, on Feb. 11, 1950, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts in Nuuanu. She pronounced her first vows on Aug. 24, 1952, and made her perpetual profession on Aug. 24, 1955.
Sister Lucia celebrated her 60th anniversary of religious profession in 2012.
At Regina Pacis Convent in Kaimuki, Oahu, Sister Lucia’s gifts and talents enhanced community life. She served as sacristan for her community and also for Masses celebrated in Sacred Hearts Academy chapel. She was a eucharistic minister for the patients at Leahi Hospital in Honolulu, assisting the priest at monthly Mass.
“She enjoyed her eucharistic ministry,” Sister Regina Mary said. “And she loved to sing.”
Her lovely voice enhanced community prayers and liturgies. She enjoyed singing in the St. Augustine choir and in the diocesan Vocation Office’s Grateful Hearts group. One of her favorite hobbies was making cards with photos she had taken, using them to send greetings to family and friends. Another special hobby she enjoyed was making rosaries and giving them as gifts.
For many years, Sister Lucia took her turn each week preparing the community meal. She directed the convent’s housekeeper and volunteer workers, helped prepare rooms for visiting missionaries, and by her welcoming presence, extended warm hospitality to different guest groups such as the SS.CC. Associates and the Catholic Women’s Guild.
“She was quiet, but she enjoyed the presence of people, being around people, interacting with people,” Sister Regina Mary said.
Even in her last year when “pilikia” with health required a walker or cane, she enjoyed a wonderful diamond jubilee celebration, the provincial said.
Before she died, “she was planning to go to Maui for a family celebration,” Sister Regina Mary said. “Her bags were packed. She was looking forward to it.”
“I really miss her. She was a great help to me,” she said.
Sister Lucia’s funeral Mass was July 11 at Malia O Ka Malu Chapel. She was buried at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery in Kaneohe.
She is survived by her stepbrother Harry of Kula, Maui, her stepsister Mildred of Chicago, and nieces and nephews.
