Esther P. Chun

A visitation for Esther will be held Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 9:30 AM at Borthwick Mortuary, 1330 Maunakea St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 10:00 AM, 1330 Maunakea St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. An inurnment will occur Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery, 45-425 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744.

Esther was born on November 22, 1924 in Honolulu as the youngest of six children. She grew up in a typical island family and attended public school, enjoying family gatherings, church and school activities. While attending Central Intermediate and McKinley High School she excelled in academics and was an active participant in a wide range of activities including winning an oratorical contest.

After graduation in 1942 she went to work at Hickam Air Force Base. She became a supervisor of the accounting branch that was responsible for inventories of all petroleum products and training of all clerks and assistants. In 1952 she was awarded the certificate for meritorious civilian service, the second highest defense department recognition for outstanding job performance. This was the first time the award had been presented at Hickam since it became a military air transport service base.

She married Ralph Chun in 1953 and moved to San Francisco, where they both were employed by the federal government. They had a close-knit circle of friends with whom they enjoyed family gatherings, travel, mahjong, poker and blackjack. They welcomed family and friends into their home and were gracious hosts and entertaining tour guides.

In 1972 she retired from the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Stock Control Center at the Presidio where she was Senior Supply Manager of the Construction Branch. She received numerous commendations of excellence and service awards throughout her career.

In 1973, she and Ralph purchased their Tacoma street apartment complex. They were proud landlords and spent many hours improving and maintaining the property. They cruised and traveled to the Orient, Europe, Caribbean, and throughout the continental US and Canada. They spent many happy days and nights at Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Las Vegas.

She and Ralph moved back to Honolulu in 2004 to be close to family. In 2005 they were among the first residents of Kahala Nui Senior Living Community in Honolulu. Esther passed away peacefully on December 31, 2018 at the age of 94. She will be missed.

She is predeceased by her husband Ralph, parents, siblings Josephine Kiehm, Dora Kim, Mary Kim, Joseph Park, John Y. Park and niece Eleanor Ko. She is survived by nieces and nephews Karen Nagata, John Kim, Patricia Siu, Maxine Marcus, Terrance Park, John Park, and many grand-nieces and nephews.

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