Jacqueline Kaipuala Ford

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Mahalo!

Jacqueline “Jackie” Kaipuala Ford—beloved wife, mother of three, grandmother of 11, great grandmother of 1, and dear friend of many–passed away on January 11, 2023 at the age of 79 in Ewa Beach, HI. Jackie was born on May 13, 1943 to Winona Naweli and raised in Honolulu by her dearest Tutu Man, Eddie K. Bush and Tutu Lady, Mary Chang Bush. Her early childhood years were spent frequenting the Chinese food markets, local eateries, mom and pop shops, beauty shops, theaters, and parks near North School Street where she and her fellow classmates learned how to grow vegetables for school lunches at Ka’uluwela Elementary School. Jackie spent much of her youth with her cousins, Harriet and Dougie “Jr. Boy”, enjoying family get-togethers and learning how to cook popular dishes from Tutu Lady. Jackie often described her childhood as wonderful times of enjoyment, discovery and freedom where houses remained unlocked and being unsafe never entered her mind.

Jackie graduated from Sacred Heart Academy High School in 1961 before attending the University of Hawaii where she studied English Literature and Music. Jackie went on to be employed as an executive secretary, federal government worker, Professor of English at Remington College and eventually opening her own catering business, Jackie’s Catering Company. Jackie’s claim to culinary fame was her secret signature recipe, Baked Spaghetti—loved by all—and ordered many times across the island, even by employees from the State Capital, including Senator Donna Ikeda herself.

It was in her first year of college, in English Lit class, where she met her one and only love, James “Jim” Harry Ford Jr. Married on November 6, 1965, they spent 58 years together building their lives and their Ohana. Jackie and Jim welcomed son Leighton Kakela in 1966, son James “Kimo” Harry Ford III in 1967 and a daughter Merri Jean Rose Wailehua in 1970. In 1993 their first grandson, Dallas, arrived and thereafter both Jackie and Jim played a loving role helping Merri to raise all of her children: Dallas, Kiare (b1995) and Tiani (b1997). Additional grandchildren arrived when son Leighton married Monika Stone: Azahira (b1989) Jalen (b1992), Keenan(b1994), Paloma (b2004) and son Kimo married Susan Banister: Nicholas (b1995), Brianna (b1997), Kaley (b1999) and Christa (b2003).

Through the years Jackie enjoyed bowling, tennis, golf, family get-togethers and playing poker games with friends. But by far her favorite pastime and biggest passion was cooking and developing her own recipes for family and friends. Jackie was open, curious, generous and loving with everyone she met. She was authentically and wholeheartedly there for all her family and friends. Her gentle, lighthearted and always positive spirit was a welcome energy in every social occasion.

In her retirement years, even while her health declined, Jackie stayed very active with her golf ladies, enjoyed her scary movies, and spent time traveling to Europe as well as Las Vegas, where she was very skilled at playing Pai Gow. She often visited her children’s families in the states whether in Florida, Missouri or California. Jackie was always mesmerized by the cold, strange weather in St. Louis and when the timing was right, she especially liked seeing the snow.

Jackie is survived by her husband Jim, son Leighton and wife Monika, son Kimo and wife Sue, daughter Merri and partner Daryl, grandchildren Azahria, Jalen, Dallas, Keenan, Nicholas, Kiare, Tiani, Brianna, Kaley, Christa, Paloma, great grandchild Daxton, brother Thomas, in-laws Kathy, Johnny, Dorothy and numerous nieces and nephews.

All who loved and befriended Jackie are invited to her Celebration of Life on February 22, 2023 at:

Hawaiian Memorial Park,

45-425 Kamehameha Hwy.

Kaneohe, HI 96744.

Visitation 9:00 am

Service 10:00 am

Lunch Reception 11:00 am

Burial will take place at Hawaiian Memorial Park, in the Garden of Reflections Oceanview on Saturday May 13, 2023, at 10:00 am.