OBITUARY: Hilo-born educator, Sister Grace Louise Komine, was a Franciscan for 52 years
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“Gentle,” “helpful,” “prayerful” are some of the words repeated by people describing Sister Grace Louise Komine. The Hilo-born Sister of St. Francis died on Aug. 12 at St. Francis Hospice-West in Ewa Beach at age 73. She lived the religious life for 52 years, primarily as a teacher and school administrator.
At her funeral on Aug. 18 at St. Francis Convent Chapel in Manoa, Sacred Hearts Father Christopher Keahi in his homily offered additional words evoked by Sister Grace Louise’s memory: “faithfulness, dedication, wisdom, common sense, never-demanding, happy, peaceful, pleasant, caring, good-humored, and appreciative of those around her.”
“Everybody feels the void of her departure,” said Sister William Marie Eleniki, regional administrator of the Sisters of St. Francis in Hawaii. “She was always there, always very helpful.”
Taking an image from the liturgy’s Gospel, Father Keahi said the late Franciscan was “a seed that came forth from a good earthly family … planted in the vineyard of the Lord, a seed that was nurtured and fertilized by prayer, good works and of living faithfully her vows as a Sister of St. Francis.”
Sister Grace Louise was born Anita Louise Komine on Sept. 21, 1932, in Hilo to Jiro Komine of Papaaloa and Maria Louise Bello of Paauilo. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis from her home parish of St. Ann Church at Heeia, Oahu, on Feb 1, 1954.
Taking the religious name Grace Louise, she made her final profession on Aug. 17, 1959.
Sister Grace Louise earned a bachelor of science degree from the State University College at Oswego in New York and received a master’s degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington.
She served as an educator in elementary and middle schools in Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Puerto Rico. In Hawaii, she was principal at Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina, taught at St. Francis School in Manoa and St. Joseph School, Hilo, and served as a receptionist at St. Francis Medical Center Liliha.
She also worked for a while at the Franciscan Sisters’ hostel in Rome.
Her students and fellow staff members remember her for her organizational skills, the ways she shared her faith and her many acts of kindness. She used her gifts and talents to help and serve others. Her deep faith shone in her embrace of the Franciscan life.
In addition to her teaching abilities, she had a flair for arranging flowers, sewing and cooking.
On the occasion of her 50th anniversary as a Franciscan, Sister Grace Louise shared the following thoughts on her religious vocation in the Hawaii Catholic Herald:
“Sacred Hearts Father Mark Consalvi, our pastor in Honokaa, Hawaii, had a trunk full of books which he used in his ministry to the youth. He offered me one that he thought would interest me. It was Father Daniel Lord’s ‘Letters to a Nun.’ About the same time the Holy Family Sisters began their ministry in Hawaii at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. With a financial scholarship from the Sisters of St. Francis, I was able to complete my junior and senior years at St. Francis School. These were significant, early influences in my life which eventually led to my becoming a member of the Sisters of St. Francis.”
Sister Grace Louise’ cremated remains were interred Aug. 19 at Diamond Head Memorial Cemetery. A Memorial Mass was offered for her on Sept. 9 at St. Anthony Convent Chapel, Syracuse, N.Y., where the Franciscan motherhouse is located.