Sister of St Francis of the Neumann Communities Francis Regis Hadano
Kalihi-born Sister of St. Francis remembered for her compassion
Honolulu-born Sister of St Francis of the Neumann Communities Francis Regis Hadano, an educator and congregational leader known for her compassion and sensitivity, died on Oct. 6 in Kaneohe. She was 94 and a religious sister for 76 years.
In 2018, on her 70th anniversary of religious life, she recalled how she first met the Sisters of St. Francis.
“Born in Kalihi, I am the middle child of seven children. Puuhale Elementary and Kalakaua Intermediate were district schools we attended until the bombing of Pearl Harbor.”
Her parents decided private school would be best for the family’s younger children and applied to Maryknoll only to be notified that enrollment was open first to parishioners, second to Catholics, and then to “others,” which included her.
“Maryknoll kindly sent me a note encouraging me to apply to St. Francis Convent School,” she said, “and the rest is history.”
Sister Joan of Arc Souza collected some remembrances of her from her fellow Sisters of St Francis.
“Following in the footsteps of Mother Marianne, Sister Francis Regis is remembered as a sensitive person who was always there for the sisters. No matter how busy she was, if anyone asked something of her, she would drop everything and help that person.”
“She was very compassionate.”
“As a true follower of St. Marianne Cope, she accepted any trials with grace and dignity.”
“Traveling with her brother Michael and being with her family always brought smiles.”
“Oh, how she loved her snacks.”
Bowman M. Olds, a former student of Sister Francis Regis, said he benefitted from her wise guidance far beyond grade school.
“Sister Francis Regis Hadano was my second-grade teacher at St. Joseph Elementary School in Hilo,” said Olds, now of Virginia. “She was indeed my first mentor who set the cornerstone for me in both my personal and professional life.”
“Her beloved dedicated guidance and encouragement allowed me to meet a multitude of challenges in my life,” he said. “Despite my travels around the world, I was most fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak to Sister on a periodic basis during the past 30-plus years.”
Sister Francis Regis was born Beatrice Yoneko on March 23, 1929, to the late Hisaji and Koharu (Kameda) Hadano.
It was at Saint Francis School that she was baptized a Catholic. After graduation, she entered the Sisters of St. Francis on Aug. 30, 1947. She attended the University of Dayton, receiving a bachelor of science in education, and the University of Hawaii, earning a master’s degree in education.
She taught in various schools in Syracuse, N.Y., and at St. Joseph School in Hilo for 17 years before being elected as Hawaii regional administrator of the Sisters of St. Francis.
In 1978, she returned to New York and served as principal of St. Joseph School in Liverpool before returning to Hawaii in 1984 for another term as Hawaii regional administrator.
Sister was inducted into the Saint Francis School “Hall of Fame” in 2013 and in 2021 was recognized by the St. Francis Healthcare System for serving on its board of directors for 12 years.
Sister Francis Regis was predeceased by her sisters Judith, Jean and brother Michael. She is survived by sisters Anna Harada, Lilly Nakamoto and Amy Tamayose, nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
Her funeral was Oct. 25, at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe. She was buried at Diamond Head Memorial Park. Donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, 46-068 Alaloa St. #207, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
