Catherine "Sissie" Fink

Catherine "Sissie" Kino'ole Fuller Chaney Fink, of Kula, Maui, passed away peacefully at home on February 28, 2024, at the age of 97.

Born on August 5, 1926, in Honolulu, O'ahu, Sissie grew up along the foothills of Diamond Head. She spent her youth paddling canoe, playing volleyball, swimming at Waikiki Beach at the Outrigger Canoe Club. She attended Punahou School, where she was a song leader for the football team, and graduated in 1944. After graduation, she worked as a clerk for the Territory of Hawai'i - Department of Treasury. Deeply interested in her Hawaiian heritage, she later became a student of Hawaiian history, culture, and language and learned to dance hula beautifully.

In 1949, Sissie married her high school sweetheart, Cpt. Frederick Kenneth Chaney, with whom she had three children: Cathy, Ken, and Patty. Sadly, Kenneth was killed in a helicopter crash in 1956. In 1959, she married William (Bill) E. Fink, who was a father of two children, John and Laurie. Together they blended their families-adopting each other's children-and welcomed their youngest son, William E. Fink Jr. Sissie and Bill were married for 35 years until his passing in 1994.

In 1995, Sissie relocated to Kula to be near family. She became a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and deepened her faith in God. Sissie's warmth, elegance, and generous heart equally matched her lovely smile and eyes. She will fondly be remembered by her family and many friends. She was an avid gardener, a wonderful cook, and a skilled seamstress who found joy in creating a warm home for her loved ones.

Sissie was preceded in death by her husbands; her youngest son; her parents, Violet Anna L. Maertens Fuller and Samuel M. Fuller; and her sisters, Margarite Kauhane and Maydeen Allen. She is survived by her children: Catherine A. (Robert) Carlson, Frederick K. (Kathy) Chaney, Patricia P. Chaney, John B. Fink, and Laurie Bickerstaff; three grandchildren: Pila (Anna) Sunderland, Alex Bickerstaff, and Kaile'a M. (Senifa) Annandale; and six great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at a later date. Sissie's ashes will be interred at O'ahu Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances or donations in her name can be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 8992 Kula Hwy., Kula, HI 96790, or Hospice Maui, 400 Mahalani St., Wailuku, HI 96793.