Sister Marion lnouye, a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities who spent most of her 64 years of religious life devoted to teaching in Catholic schools, died on Jan. 22 in Honolulu. She was 84.
Sister Marion celebrated her 60th anniversary in the Franciscan community in 2009.
On the occasion of her 50th anniversary in religious life, Sister Marion expressed her gratitude to those who helped her along the way.
“As I ponder and reflect on my special call to community life and service, I offer my heartfelt praise and thanksgiving to the Lord,” she wrote. “So many wonderful people have touched me in my life’s journey and experiences.”
“I especially thank my parents who gifted me with Christian love and values,” she said.
“My Franciscan sisters nurtured my special call through their love, faith, hope, prayers, commitment and example,” Sister Marion said. “As I take a moment to reflect on these past 50 years, I gratefully know that a loving God was ever present in my life. Alleluia! Alleluia!”
Sister Marion was born in Honolulu on Jan. 6, 1929, one of six children of Tsuneo Inouye of Japan and Tomeyo Hirata of Pepeekeo, Hawaii. She attended St. Francis Convent School during which time she was baptized a Catholic with her sisters Florence and Thelma.
Sister Marion entered the Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order in 1949, receiving the name Sister Francis Xavier when she was invested in the Franciscan habit. She made her final vows on Aug. 15, 1954. She claimed the Franciscan quotation “Deus Meus et Omnia” (My God and my All) as her quotation to live by.
Sister Marion received her bachelor of science degree in education from Chaminade College of Honolulu and her master’s degree from the University of Scranton, Pa.
Her ministry was devoted to education in Hawaii, and on the Mainland in Catholic schools in Ohio, New York and New Jersey.
In Hawaii she worked at St. Joseph School, Hilo; Sacred Hearts School, Lahaina; Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Pearl City; and St. Francis School in Honolulu.
In Ohio she taught at St. Anthony School, Lorain; in New York at St. Margaret School, Mattydale and Immaculate Conception School in Fayetteville; and in New Jersey at St. Joseph ProCathedral School in Camden.
Sister Marion was also assigned to St. Francis Medical Center-West in Ewa.
Sister Marion was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Saburo, Lawrence and George lnouye; and her sister, Florence Okada. She is survived by her brother Tsugio lnouye, her sister Thelma (Robert) Takazawa of Elgin, Ill., and nieces and nephews.
One of her nieces, Sister Mary Magdaline, is a Franciscan Sister of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas.
Sister Marion’s funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Francis Convent in Manoa on Feb. 3. Her inurnment was at Diamond Head Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Saint Francis Retirement Fund.
