Audrey Matilda Denis Brilhante

March 20, 1929 – November 8, 2024

Audrey Matilda Denis Brilhante, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on November 8, 2024, at the age of 95.

Audrey was the oldest child, and daughter to Frank Andrew Denis and Matilda Frazier Denis. She grew up in Hawaii, where she attended Ma’ema’e Elementary, Stevenson Intermediate, and Roosevelt High School.

After high school, Audrey pursued her education at Hawaii School of Business, where she earned a secretarial degree. She worked in administration at Hawaiian Telecom and in her father’s real estate office preparing and writing his essential documents.

In her early twenties, Audrey also danced hula for Kent Girard with Hula Nāi. She continued dancing hula for many years for family and close friends, inspiring many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to dance with and because of her.

In 1949, Audrey married her high school sweetheart, Rudolph James Brilhante (Rudy). Together, they welcomed four daughters: Paulette Brilhante Teves (Arnold), Mari-Angele Teves (Ron), Celeste Humalon (Victor), and Corinne Souza (Guy). Before her passing, Audrey’s and Rudy’s family had grown over the years to also include 15 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Audrey was known by her family and friends for her whole hearted love and devotion, as well as her witty quips and sense of humor, present up through her last days on earth. She had boundless spunk and was deeply devoted to her family. The love story she and Rudy shared was deep and profound. He carefully hid Audrey’s name in all of his paintings, and children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children would search for it in each of his new works.

Her kindness, humor, and love were inspiring to all who knew her and will continue to inspire those she has left behind.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rudy (2013), siblings Carl Denis (Jean), Gwen Gomes (Sandy), and Paul Denis (Mary Beth). She is survived by her four daughters, brothers Franklin Denis (Judy) and Francis Denis (Lucille, 2024), and many grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who cherish her memory.

Audrey’s life was marked by her love for the Lord, and for her husband and family, quiet cheerfulness, and her joyful embracing of all God had given her. We will miss her deeply, but rejoice that she is now with the Lord, and reunited with her beloved husband, Rudy.

A service to celebrate Audrey’s life will be held on Friday, December 13. Visitation at 9:30; Service at 10:00.

The service will be held at:

Anchor Church

45-815 Po’okela St.

Kaneohe, HI 96744