Ellen Ruth Perreira Rapozo

Ellen P. Rapozo, 97 of Kilauea passed away peacefully at home with her daughters Judy and Dale by her bedside and her son Paul on the phone on September 3, 2021. 

Ellen was a life long member of St. Sylvester Church.

In the late 1950s, Ellen started working as manager and cook at the old Koolau School until the school’s closure in 1960. She then transferred to Kapaa High & Intermediate School Cafeteria where she remained for 23 years as a baker. She loved being approached by former students who fondly remembered her for her famous shortbread cookies.

 After her retirement in the mid 1980’s, Ellen found a sense of purpose babysitting for visitors at Princeville for a few years.  But it was sitting with local baby Marissa Sperry that brought Ellen and her husband Nick the most joy. Marissa became their hanai granddaughter.  Ellen and Nick enjoyed traveling with their friends and of course many trips to Las Vegas. They also loved catching squid, fishing and picking puka shells at Anini Beach.

She was an active member of the Kilauea Seniors for many years and enjoyed playing Gate Ball, singing in the chorus, learning to play the ukulele and creating intricate Bunka embroidery.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Nicholas “Nick” Rapozo, parents,  Antone S. & Virginia G. Perreira, and brothers Bobby and Billy (Lillian) Perreira.

Ellen Ruth (as she is referred to by her family in Kalaheo) is survived by her son, Paul Rapozo of Rancho Mirage, California, daughters Judy and Dale Rapozo of Kilauea, nephew Butch Perreira, neices Bernadette Kalama, Dawn Smith, Marily Neves, Lori Wofford, and Lela Pantohan, many grandnieces, nephews and cousins and dear friends both old and new.

Private services will be held with burial at Kauai Memorial Gardens. 

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