Joan "Joanie" Ann Mattos Souza

Joan Ann “Joanie” (Mattos) Souza, a terrific wife, caregiver, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend passed away on August 23, 2015 at the age of 59. She was born in Hilo, Hawaii on November 17, 1955 to Abel and Maile Mattos. After she graduated from Hilo High School in 1973, she attended the University of Hawaii Hilo. Joanie met the love of her life, Edward Souza and they were married at St Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo, Hawaii on July 7, 1973. Joanie’s work experiences included being a Respite Director at Hawaii Island Adult Care in Hilo, Hawaii, an Activities Director of Senior Living Destinations in Las Vegas, and Data Entry Operator for medical records at Mountain Diagnostic Center in Las Vegas. She achieved the award of Employee of the Year in 1973 at McDonalds, 1975 at Hilo Lagoon and in 1984 at the American Red Cross-Hilo Chapter. However, her most proud occupation was being a caregiver to her husband, Eddie. Joanie has joined these angels who have preceded her in death, her father, Abel Mattos; son, Waylen Souza; granddaughter, Dominique Souza; mother and father-in-law,Genevieve Hazel and Victor Souza, Sr.; and grandparents, Felicia and Abel Mattos, Sr., Bernard and Louis Waltjen. Joanie leaves to cherish the memories, her loving husband of 42 years, Edward Souza; son, Shannon (Katherine) Souza; daughter, Genevieve Souza; grandchildren, Sienna De Sa, Tessa Lynn Souza, Shayna De Sa, and Delila Ann Souza; mother, Maile (Waltjen) Mattos; sisters, Bernie Gillis, Mary Lou (Gilbert, Jr.) Benevides, Kathleen (Preston) Mendoza; brothers, Damian (Kelly Roberts) Mattos, Kevin Mattos, Nathan (Ipyana) Mattos, and Michael Taylor; in-laws, Darrell Gillis, Colleen Outley, Debra Hulama, Charmaine Alameda, Agnes Souza, Victor, Jr. (Linda) Souza, Frances “Paulette” (Wilbert, Sr.) Waltjen, Gail (Keith) Enanoria, Joann Souza, Winona (Agaton, Jr.) Souza-Barroga, Dawn (Ronald) Lapanig, Berto Navor, and Wade De Sa, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss her dearly.