Shirley Frances Kekauonohi Fung

Shirley Frances Kekauonohi Fung was born on November 14, 1933 to Sidney Francis Flateau and Elizabeth Gilman Flateau. She had one sister, Margaret Elizabeth. The family lived on a quiet street in Kaimuki surrounded by family. It was a close-knit community where Shirley played happily with her cousins who lived a few houses away. Shirley was known for the twinkle in her eyes, her mischievous nature and her quick smile. She attended Royal, Liholiho and Aliiolani Elementary Schools, Robert Louis Stevenson Intermediate, Chico High School, and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1952. She attended Chico State College where she met her first husband Donald Ray Garner. They were married in Honolulu in a small ceremony in 1953. Returning to California, they welcomed their first child and only son, Stuart in 1954. Hawaii beckoned and the family returned in 1955 where daughter Patricia Lynn was born in the summer of 1955. The pursuit of higher education found the little family in California again where Don continued his studies at Chico State while Shirley raised their children and worked at the Pacific Bell to put her husband through college. Daughter Kimberly was born in 1963, followed by Peggy Ann in 1964. The family relocated to Visalia where Don taught at College of the Sequoias. Shirley continued her career with at the phone company where she was a telephone operator and union steward. She advocated powerfully for the rights of the working men and women of the phone company and saved countless jobs. Shirley was widowed in 1968 and chose to remain in Visalia. She married Albert Lee Wilkinson in 1973 and made her home with him until his death. In 1985 Shirley returned to Honolulu where she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Fung, Junior, nicknamed "Junior." She and Junior remained in Honolulu until 1993 when they sold their Hawaii Kai home and moved to Visalia. She was widowed again in 2014. She spent her remaining years among her flowers and her beloved Saydee. Family gathered at her home where children swam in the pool while the grownups ate too much and enjoyed the fun. As her health declined her little house became her refuge. She entered hospice care in March 2019. On New Year's Day 2020, before the first sunrise of the new year, she breathed her last. She sleeps with the ancestors. In her words, "no goodbyes, just a hui hou," which means until we meet again. Shirley is survived by her four children: Stuart Ray Manuia Garner (Debbie), Patricia Lynn Sanchez (David), Kimberly Keeaokalani Garner, Peggyann Kalakikiola Furness; 8 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was a member of the Pacific Bell Pioneers, Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, Mamakakaua. She served on the Kamehameha Day Celebration Commission. Visitation is January 15 from 5:00 PM until 6:00 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Service will be January 16 at the chapel. Visitors will be received from 10:00 a.m. The service follows at 10:30. She will be interred at Visalia Cemetery. Memorial Tributes may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Shirley Frances Kekauonohi Fung

November 14, 1933 - January 1, 2020