Julie Mahealani Pomaikai

July 4, 1960 - Jan. 1, 2010

Julie Mahealani Pomaikai of Corvallis died Jan. 1, 2010, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. She was 49 years old.

She was born to George K. Helepololei and Julia K. Kaleikini on July 4, 1960, the youngest of nine children. She graduated in 1978 in the first class of Nanakuli High School in Waianae, Hawaii.

In 1974, she met and fell in love with Princeton Pomaikai. Together they raised three wonderful children on the leeward side of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Julie loved the ocean; bodysurfing was a favorite pastime in her younger days. She was an avid reader, and especially enjoyed reading her Bible.

In 1998, the Pomaikais came to Oregon to help with a church building project. Three weeks later they returned to Honolulu, Hawaii, long enough to realize Oregon had conquered their hearts. Leaving family, friends and the beautiful state of Hawaii, Julie and Princeton made the transition with two of their sons, who attended Crescent Valley High School.

Julie's life blossomed into something beautiful, bringing out a passion that had always been within her: her love for flowers.

She worked as a receptionist at Leading Floral in downtown Corvallis, and later became a designer. Some of her creations were one of a kind, bringing with them a few rewards of their own. She also enjoyed going to floral shows with her crew.

In 2007, she worked as a designer for Stargazer Premier Florist in north Corvallis. A highlight of her job there was preparing floral arrangements for the sky-boxes at Reser Stadium for the Beavers' football games.

She was a loving and faithful member of the Door of Faith churches here in Oregon and in Hawaii. She loved the Lord. Even in her quest to conquer cancer, a fight to the end, Jesus was her constant companion. Her thoughts were spoken: "If God chooses to heal me or to take me, I WIN." She won.

She was also a member of the Hawaiian Singing Leslies, participating in many of the activities and engagements whenever possible. The group did many benefits within the community, and she generously gave her time and talent in creating beautiful centerpieces for the occasion. She was a trouper, a fighter till the end. She wanted everyone she knew not to cry for her, but to live a life that pleases the Lord.

She loved on us unconditionally, smiled at us ever so easily, and shone on our darkness always so rapidly.

We will miss hearing your beautiful voice that soothed our soul, and your loving heart that had to go. Enjoy your beautiful garden Jesus walks through with you, and we'll pray that one day we can walk with you, too.

We love you, our beautiful mother, maga and darling wife.

She is survived by her loving husband, Princeton E. Pomaikai; daughter Chandre L.K. Pomaikai; two sons, Princeton E. Pomaikai Jr. and Stanley K. Pomaikai; grandchildren Alena Holmes, Alana Pomaikai, Diamond Pomaikai and Miguel Pomaikai, all of Corvallis; brothers Roy Helepololei of Mililani, Hawaii, and Penny Helepololei of Moorpark, Calif.; sisters Mapuana Beers and Moana Helepololei of Nanakuli, Hawaii, Kehaulani Ahsing of Waianae, Hawaii, Keala Helepololei of Hilo, Hawaii, and Ginger Hayes of Larew, Fla.

Visitation is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Vault interment will take place at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions can be made directly to the family.

Services are under the direction of Twin Oaks Funeral Home.