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Elizabeth Medeiros Obituary

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Elizabeth Medeiros

Kahului, HI

September 17, 1924 - November 6, 2022

Elizabeth Medeiros Obituary

Elizabeth Ann Jones Medeiros born September 17, 1924 in Berryville Va. to Thomas and Maria (Shugart) Jones passed on Sunday November 6th at Islands Hospice in Kahului. Elizabeth, better known as “Jonesie” came to Lanai, Hawaii in 1946 after graduating from Longwood College with a BS in education to teach grade 6 at Lanai Elementary and High School. She then worked as the private secretary in the personnel department of Hawaiian Pineapple Co. on Lanai from 1947-1951, where she met her former husband, Joseph Soares Medeiros Jr. Upon moving to Maui, Jonesie worked as a clerk typist in the insurance department at Bishop Bank and a 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Ulupalakua School. After a leave of absence due to the birth of her only daughter, Rose Marie, Ms Medeiros returned to teaching grades 3 & 4 at Kealahou and Kula Schools respectively in 1954 until 1965.


She took a leave of absence from the Hawaii Department of Education to take the position of Staff Director of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. which was formed in August 1965 under the Federal “War On Poverty “ program. Along with starting the Grass Roots Project, Ms. Medeiros directed the corporation’s Medicare program, instituted tutorial programs in Maui County and established the pre-school Headstart programs in Maui for 3-year and 4-year olds in the County. Before resuming her teaching career Jonesie remained as consultant for several months when her replacement, Joseph Souki assumed the helm in April of 1967 and also spent 2 weeks on a team training 80 Guam residents to conduct Headstart programs on the Pacific Island.


Ms. Medeiros then taught at Lihikai School and began training as a DOE administrator. Her administrative track took her back to Kula Elementary School and Lihikai Elementary School in Vice Principal positions and to Maunaloa Elementary School on Molokai as Principal for two years. Elizabeth spent the end of her education career in the Maui District office of the DOE serving as Educational Officer of Special Education, Special Services and Title I.


Jonesie was able to enjoy the services of the MEO Transit vans when she stopped driving. She had formed special friendships with her drivers.


Jonesie was a member of Kahului Union Church while she was working and moved her membership to Pookela Church in Makawao after retiring. In her non driving senior years she attended Waipuna Chapel in Kula.


She was predeceased by all of her siblings - three half-brothers and two younger sisters and brother.

Jonesie is survived by her daughter, Rose Marie Medeiros, 4 grandchildren: Leilani Carvalho, Joseph Labuanan Jr., Kawika (Theresa Jones) Labuanan, Keone (Alysia Durand) Labuanan and 5 great grandchildren: Ashley Medeiros-Carvalho, Demi Lynn Carvalho. Josia Labuanan, Mahealani Liu and Rocklyn Jones.


Public viewing and service will be held at Ballards Family Mortuary, 440 Ala Makani St., Kahului on Saturday, November 19, 2022 between 9:00am and noon.


To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Elizabeth Medeiros hosted by Ballard Family Mortuary.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Elizabeth Medeiros.