From Aunty Chia about Mom's passing

Aloha 'Ohana,

As Alika wrote in his tribute to his mom, we all got the phone call we did not expect.  The following information I learned this evening, while waiting for the M.E.:

Evidently Dottie Mom showed signs of her health declining for at least a week or more.  She was slow in speech, lethargic, and not her usual self.  When asked, she'd say she was fine.  Her visiting sisters, RS Pres. and Bishopric were concerned.  Her landlord, a counselor in the Bishopric, and a companion went to check on her.  She did not answer the door, so they went in.  There was a 'slight' odor which he mistook for and told me it was de-comp.  I told Karen what the landlord told said that she may have passed 2 or more days ago.  

This was considered an 'unattended death'.  The ambulance and police, then detective (to rule out fowl play) and M.E. were called.  Brent, Sol, Alika, Paoa and I were there along with the landlords, Bishop, RS Pres.  After the initial questions on health, medical, emotional were asked, and 'inspection' by the M.E., we were allowed to go in.  

She was laying on her bed, and looked like she was resting, and at peace.  The 'odor' was NOT what the landlord thought, but rather natural body fluid.  When I took her hand she was still supple.  The M.E. estimates her passing as earlier today or yesterday.  Alika was on the phone with all 3 sisters, Keala in Calif., Kealoha in Maine and Pua in Kuwait, keeping them abreast of everything as well as getting answers no one present could give regarding Dottie's medical information etc.  We did learn from the girls that she had an angioplasti some years ago, also been suffering from heart condition in the past 2 years; weak, fainting and hurting herself.  She had no medical plan to the knowledge of anyone there.  

It was rather strange and sad for all of us to be asked questions and none of us knew anything.  Her habits, employment, medicine, etc.  Each was putting in one piece here one piece there.  The girls did say she had been talking lately about being tired, and wanting to die.  Not that she would do anything to herself, but that she was tired and wanted to go.  

She moved out of her 'round' house on Kamehameha Hwy in November, to a friends home for a few weeks until she found a temporary place in Waimanalo.  Her goal was to move in the Kaneohe 1st Ward boundary, where she was happiest.  From there in March she moved in with Bro. and Sis. Wally Wong.  She was very happy there and was anxious to bring her things stored in a storage place - no one knows where that place is.  A beautiful 2 bedroom unit on the ground floor.  Sol, Brent and Alika went in to clean, remove items that needed to be removed.  Several will go on Friday to do the rest.  

The last time I saw her was just before Christmas as she was exiting the Post Office, I stopped her, said Hi, wished her a Merry Christmas, kissed her and we both went on our way.  The police and M.E. were trying to get a time line of the last one who saw her.  Of this we know, she is at peace, no more suffering, and in pain.  No information on plans yet.  We will keep you informed.

 Chia  

"When one door closes, God opens a window".