Carolina Mersai Freedman

Visitation for Carolina was held Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Borthwick Mortuary Mauka Chapel.

Service was from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

Burial was at 1:00 PM at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery.

Carol was the daughter of Benjamin and Tamae Mersai. She earned two Associate Degrees in Accounting and in Secretarial Sciences from Kapiolani Community College where she consistently made the Dean’s List.

She had fourteen brothers and sisters and was raised on a special homestead in Koror her father named Kot’l Rodch (First Fruit) which explains her passion for children and families. She married Chuck Freedman in Koror on April 25, 1970 and had two children Cassandra and Benjamin. In Palau, Carol worked for the United States Peace Corps and the Palau Housing Authority. Carol moved with her husband to Hilo, Hawaii in 1972 and then to Honolulu in 1979.

Later in life Grandma Carol was blessed with two grandchildren Charles and Ylene for whom she operated a full time volunteer day care operation with her preschool aid Papa at their home in Kaimuki. Children and grandchildren were always first on her list with her husband, sisters and brothers a close second. She loved reading, sewing, handicrafts, shopping for bargains, crossword puzzles and could cook absolutely anything to perfection. She had a lifelong love for old time Country Music most especially Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins and Patsy Cline. She also had a thing for Elvis and would listen to his songs and watch his movies at the drop of a hat. For her good music ended around 1965.

Carol was beloved by her extended family and the Palauan community in Hawaii. She is survived and deeply missed by husband Chuck, children Cassandra Freedman Reid-Selth and Benjamin Freedman, son-in-law Michael C. Reid-Selth, grandchildren Charles and Ylene Reid-Selth and siblings Rosemary Mersai, Christa Wong, Maria Mersai, Samuel Mersai, Hermine Mayer, Serelina Mwarey, Teizi Mersai, and Stevenson Mersai.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Freedman family.