Special to the Herald
Sister Mary Edward Sugioka of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities served in Hawaii for decades, as an educator at several schools and in administration at St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii.
The Pearl City native, who converted to Catholicism as a high school student, died peacefully Sept. 17 at Adventist Castle Medical Center in Kailua — three weeks shy of her 95th birthday. In 2024 she celebrated her 75th jubilee of profession.
Sister Sugioka was born to Yasuichiro and Isana Sugioka on Oct. 8, 1930. She joined the Sisters of St. Francis after graduating from Saint Francis School in 1948.
In a reflection written last year on the occasion of her 75th jubilee, Sister Sugioka wrote: “I am forever grateful for the gift of conversion as well as a vocation to my Franciscan family.”
Sister Sugioka — affectionately called “Sister Eddie” by her students and friends — earned a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, and taught at elementary schools in New York (Syracuse and Utica) and California (Long Beach).
Most of her 33 years of service in Hawaii were spent teaching first and second graders at St. Joseph Elementary School in Hilo at the beginning of her ministry, and working in the media center at Saint Francis School toward the end of her active ministry.
She also taught at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Pearl City and worked in the medical records department at St. Francis Medical Center West.
In 2006, Sister Sugioka was also one of two senior volunteers chosen to spend three months at the Ohana English Preschool in Yokohama, Japan, as part of its Elder-Kids program.
She was also a talented seamstress; her brightly colored, handmade dresses, blouses and pants reflected her lively personality.
In her jubilee reflection last year, she concluded with: “Today, I am fully retired and just enjoying the peace and tranquility that God brings each day.”
Sister Sugioka’s celebration of life was held at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe on Oct. 11. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, 46-068 Alaloa St. Apt. 207, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
At top: Franciscan Sister Mary Edward Sugioka — “Sister Eddie” to her students and friends — worked in schools and at St. Francis Medical Center West. (Courtesy photo)