Services will be held at Borthwick Mortuary Maunakea Chapel on Sunday, June 23, 2024.Visitation is at 10:00 a.m.Service is at 11:00 a.m.Burial to follow, 2:00 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park.
Loretta was born on August 18, 1939 to Alfred T.O. Au and Clara Y.C. Ching in Honolulu. She attended Farrington High School, where she was a leader in the Speakers’ Bureau, the Executive Council of student government, her class paper, school plays, Junior Red Cross, and Future Teachers of America. She also chaired the graduation committee. Outside of school she contributed to her family by working for the California Packing Corporation and as a babysitter during the summer. Loretta graduated in 1956 as the female winner of the Wallace Rider Farrington Scholarship for her outstanding scholastic ability and campus leadership, which granted her a full-ride to the University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus. While she did not speak much to her family about her extracurricular activities, we found articles printed in the Star-Bulletin highlighting her accomplishments.
At the University of Hawaii, Loretta entered the Teachers’ College. She majored in science and mathematics and was an active member of Hui O Po’e Ku. After graduating, she went on to teach math for over 30 years at Waialua Intermediate School, McKinley High School, and Moanalua High School. In addition, she taught summer school at both Punahou and Iolani.
While in college, she met Bernard L.K. Chee and they married on July 28, 1962. They lived in Moanalua Gardens, where they raised their three children, Christine, David, and Bernadine. Loretta drove the children to Punahou on her way to McKinley, and then shopped on the way home for the Chinese specialty dishes she prepared for the family dinner. She cooked a variety of other cuisines, including Japanese, influenced by a six-week tour to Japan with the U.H. choir. Her “Popo Rolls,” Portuguese bean soup, Chinese noodles, homemade jai plus so many other creations were a big blessing to the family. While raising her family, Loretta taught at McKinley where she coached a formidable math team that won multiple state titles, even beating Punahou and Iolani on many occasions. She obtained her Master of Education degree from U.H., and also became a licensed realtor, working on projects together with Bernard.
Loretta retired in 1995. She spent her time caring for her parents, but she also pursued many different activities. Loretta and Bernard traveled all around the world, including Europe, Panama, Machu Picchu, and the Northeast in the autumn, often via their favorite mode of travel: the cruiseship. After Bernard passed, Loretta continued traveling and took her family, now complete with grandchildren, on several cruises as well to Alaska, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Some of Loretta’s hobbies included: pursuing classes at UH, practicing tai chi, carving and cultivating narcissus, playing Mah Jong with U.H. choir classmates, gardening, and playing the piano and ukulele with the United Church of Christ Hale Ola Kino singing group.
In her later years, Loretta lost her vision, but never her fighting spirit. She maintained her independence by continuing to travel, attending concerts, and even folding her money to identify the different denominations. By listening to the news and many audiobooks, she kept up with the world. She even became an admirable pro at using her smartphone! She also continued to play very beautifully on the piano, which was a true delight for everyone, especially her grandchildren, each of whom also play the piano.
Loretta fought a long battle with cancer, and lived longer than any doctor expected. She maintained a positive outlook until the end, and even though she was the one going through treatment, she always made sure that her family was well taken care of.
Loretta was predeceased by husband Bernard, brother Reginald Au, and brother-in-law Albert Wong. She is survived by siblings Patsy Wong of San Diego and sister-in-law Nancy Shim Au; children Christine W.J. Chee-Ruiter (Karl Ruiter), David W.H. Chee (Stacey Tanaka Chee), Bernadine W.L. Chee; and grandchildren Callandra Ruiter, Haley Chee, Clarisa Ruiter, and Joshua Carlos Ness-Chee.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.2