‘Journeying with God’ was a blessing for Hilo-born Sister of St. Francis
Sister Stephen Marie Serrao, a “Hilo girl” who served as a Catholic school educator for 50 years and is remembered for her “great sense of humor,” died July 6 at age 91 at the Plaza in Kaneohe after a brief illness. She was a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities for 73 years.
In 2018 on the occasion of her 70th anniversary of religious life, she recalled her grand-aunt trying to persuade her to join the Sacred Hearts Sisters. But having been taught by Franciscan Sisters in Hilo and Honolulu, she chose that community instead.
“All in all, journeying with God has been a blessing,” she said.
Sister Serrao was born to Joseph and Gloria Serrao on Nov. 29, 1929, in Hilo. Serrao Lane in Kaumana, near Hilo, was named after her grandfather, Jose Serrao, who came to Hawaii to work in the sugar cane fields. He later moved to Hilo, planted Madeira grapes and, in 1903, started the Serrao Wine and Liquor Company. His street is now called Iiwipolina Street.
Sister Serrao attended St. Joseph Elementary and High School in Hilo until the 10th grade when she transferred to Hilo High and then to St. Francis Convent School in Honolulu.
She entered the Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order, Syracuse, New York, on Sept. 29, 1947, the year she graduated from the convent school. She was invested in 1948, made her temporary vows in 1950 and her final profession in 1953.
Sister Serrao received a bachelor of science degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1962. For more than 50 years she taught and counseled in schools in New York, Florida and Hawaii. In Hawaii she worked at Sacred Heart School in Lahaina, St. Francis Convent School in Honolulu and, for 25 years, at St. Joseph School in Hilo.
“For decades I enjoyed teaching and preparing students for secondary school while giving them a firm foundation to become faithful believers and morally upright and intelligent citizens,” she said in 2018.
She left the classroom in 1990 to serve as coordinator for volunteers at St. Francis Medical Center-West in Ewa. Since 2009, she spent her time in community service and prayer ministry at St. Francis Convent in Manoa.
“At St. Francis Medical Center West, I grew in appreciation of and respect for the complexity of the healthcare world and the dedication of so many people, especially the volunteers, who contribute to the healing ministry of Christ,” she said.
According to Sister William Marie Eleniki, regional minister of Hawaii’s Sisters of St. Francis, “Everyone who knew Sister Serrao remembers her great sense of humor, happy-go-lucky attitude, and that she was the life of the party.”
“She was always available for her students and remembered them. Former students and colleagues will attest to her excellence as an English teacher,” she said.
Sister Serrao was predeceased by her sisters Matilda, Hilda and brother Joseph. She is survived by nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
A memorial Mass was celebrated July 16 at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe. She was buried July 19 at Diamond Head Cemetery.
