Lei Ann Pomerinke

Lei Ann (Kuanoni) Pomerinke, 57, of Longview was granted her hula angel wings Jan. 22, 2010. She died with dignity and grace after a year-long battle with cancer, with family and friends at her side at St. John Medical Center.

She was born Dec. 7, 1952, in Tacoma, the first of 10 children born to Clement Kuanoni and Patricia (Gamache) Hislop. Her family moved to Longview in 1962, where she was educated at St. Rose Catholic School and in the public schools, and later attended Lower Columbia College.

In 1973 she married the love of her life, Max Pomerinke. Though they had no children together, she had a special relationship with her niece, Kahne (Kuanoni) Witham, her husband, Donald and their children, Hayden and Harli Witham, who referred to her as "Titi", a nickname that stayed with her and was used by many children.

She was a member of the Eagles, Moose and Elks, serving as Lady of the Elks president for a term. As a breast cancer survivor, she participated in fund-raising activities supporting breast cancer awareness.

Lei was artistic and enjoyed knitting, crocheting and quilting. She took pride in her work and enjoyed giving her quilts as gifts. She was an avid golfer and excelled at the game. She will be missed by her friends at the Three Rivers Golf course.

Lei and Max spent vacations in Kauai, Hawaii, and shared many wonderful memories of playing ukulele, singing, hula dancing and "talking stories" with friends. She found fun wherever she went and never met a stranger. No matter where her journeys took her, she enjoyed being at home close to those she loved dearly.

She immersed herself in the Hawaiian culture, learning ukulele, hula dancing and even taught herself the Hawaiian language. Her first hula instructor was Dorothy "Dot" Mawae. Dot instructed Lei in the 1960's, and 20 years later, she performed under the direction of Kumu Newton Kaanohi Hitchcock. Because of the troupe's success, they were invited to entertain at the Merry Monarch hula competition in Hilo, Hawaii, in 1989. Sadly, Kaanohi died later that year, but it didn't stop Lei and her hula sisters and brothers from entertaining in Washington and Oregon. Lei and Chris (Panis) Whiteside shared the same passion for hula and taught hula in the community for nearly 20 years. They retired from teaching in 2006 after building their halau (hula school) to over 100 students. Lei never stopped dancing. She was proud of her heritage and loved teaching hula to her nieces, Alicia Rush and Maile LaFave, and nephews, Kalani LaFave and Haili Kuanoni. She also mentored several high school students with their senior project.

Her life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her gentle smile, recognizable laugh and ability to make friends easily, brought so much joy to her loved ones.

She leaves her beloved husband of nearly 37 years, Max Pomerinke; her stepchildren, Donald (Ruth) Pomerinke, Sheri Gibson and Joni (Dale) Geier; her mother and stepfather, Patricia and Ed Hislop; three sisters, Alana Kuanoni of Seattle, and Kina (Warren) Quartly and Kalei LaFave, both of Longview; five brothers, Lani Kuanoni, Kele (Gina) Kuanoni, Kimo Kuanoni, Haili Kuanoni and Miki Kuanoni, all of Longview; and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a stepson, Bob Pomerinke; a brother, Michael Kuanoni; and her father, Clement Kuanoni.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Life Fellowship Church of God, 2441 42nd Ave., in Longview. A celebration of her life will immediately follow at the AWPPW Hall, 724 15th Ave., in Longview.

Arrangements are by Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home.

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits.


This obituary was originally published in The Daily News (Longview, WA).