By the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Special to the Herald
Wilhelmina Jeanette Niaulani Joseph was born May 27, 1928, in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, to Duncan K. and Emma Helm Joseph. Her brother, Duncan Jr., arrived five years later.
Growing up, Joseph attended Lincoln School and Kapalama School in Honolulu, both of which were English Standard Schools at the time. In sixth grade, she transferred to St. Theresa School in the Kalihi area of Honolulu, where she met the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
After graduating from the ninth grade there, Joseph spent one year at Sacred Hearts Academy and finished her high school education at Maryknoll. Like many of her contemporaries, she also spent her summers as a teen working for the Libby and Dole Pineapple companies.
Joseph was very active in sports, excelling in basketball and volleyball. In 1946 she was named the outstanding female juvenile athlete of the Catholic Youth Organization.
In September of 1947, Joseph entered the postulate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Los Angeles. She made her first profession of vows in 1950, taking the name Sister James Therese, and made her final profession in 1953.
During this time, she earned a bachelor of arts degree in education, history and sociology. Sister Joseph later earned a master’s degree in education, and spent the rest of her life in that field.
Over the years she taught in California at St. Patrick School in Los Angeles, St. Joseph the Worker School in Canoga Park and St. John Chrysostom in Inglewood. In Hawaii, she taught on Maui at Holy Rosary School in Paia; and on Oahu at St. Anthony School in Kailua and Holy Trinity School in Kuliouou, both in the classroom and in administration, and at St. Theresa School in Kalihi as a teacher, vice principal, principal, adviser and volunteer.
Sister Joseph continued her love of sports throughout her life, golfing as often as possible after school hours. She joined in all the Super Bowl parties which the convents used to hold, and was one of the “serious” watchers who knew the ins and outs of football.
She also traveled extensively, enjoying visiting places outside of Hawaii.
Sister Joseph spent her last four years at Hale O Meleana, where she received wonderful care from their staff and the staff of St. Francis Hospice.
Sister James loved her extended family, her religious sisters, her many lay friends, and her former students and co-workers. She will be sorely missed.
Sister Joseph’s celebration of life was held Feb. 7 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.