COCHITUATE: Iwalani H. (Kahaulelio) Steele, 88, died peacefully and comfortably surrounded by her loving family on Monday, March 9, 2015 at the UMASS Medical Center in Worcester following a brief illness.
She was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 19, 1927 the daughter of the late Joseph Kahaulelio and Catherine V (Johnson) Kahaulelio.
Iwalani is survived by her devoted and loving son, James W. Steele, Jr. and his wife Michele Steele or Worcester. She was the cherished grandmother of Megan Steele and Lauren Steele both of Worcester; James W. Steele III of Attleboro and Danielle Steele of Rumsford, RI. She was the sister-in-law of Hilda Buckley of Framingham formerly of Cochituate. She was the beloved wife of the late James W. Steele, Sr. who died on August 19, 2011 and mother of the late Luana K. McNeil who died on July 6, 2006. She is also survived by her two nieces Mele Manning of Baldwinwille, MO and Nani Ramsey of Bridgeville, DE.
Iwalani spent her formative years in Philadelphia, PA and moved to Cochituate when she married her husband James and has resided here for over 68 years. For over 30 years she was a Sales Clerk in the housewares department of the Jordan Marsh Co. in Framingham before retiring. She loved to cook, had a passion for collecting cookbooks and all of the newest kitchen cookware. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She had an extensive tree garden at her residence in Cochituate. She was a creative artist and participated in many classes at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln with classes in silversmith and leather. She enjoyed the exercise classes at the Wayland Senior Center with her circle of friends, was an avid reader and a patron of the Wayland Public Library. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her family who she loved to spend time with. She will be greatly missed by all of the lives that she touched.
At the request of her family, private funeral services will be held at their convenience.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, her family kindly suggests that memorial gifts in Iwalani’s memory may be sent to The Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410.
For online condolences please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.