Bernadita Hong-Yee Iwashita

Bernadita Hong-Yee Iwashita, born September 11, 1952, fondly known as "Bennette" and "Bita" by her family and friends, was called to her eternal rest on Friday, December 27, 2024, at the age of 72 years.
Bennette was a native Chamorro and grew up in Tumon, Guam, where she spent the majority of her life. Bennette was married to Joseph "Joe" Dela Cruz Iwashita, who served on active duty in both the United States Army and Guam National Guard. Bennette was a proud military wife and retired as an Assistant Vice President for Bank of Guam. In 1997, she relocated to Oklahoma where she lived the remainder of her life.
Her hobbies and passions include singing and gardening. She especially enjoyed cooking and was unrivaled in her skills, being called upon at every party and fiesta to make her signature dishes, particularly her Chamorro red rice, always making enough for everyone to take home. Sharing her recipes with others and partaking in the camaraderie brought Bennette immense joy and love.
Bennette was a true matriarch – she was an advisor, mentor, and confidant to everyone. Bennette was a mother figure to all and lovingly called "Mom" by so many who were not her own children. She was a great listener and provider of wisdom. Bennette always opened her home to others, offering them a place to stay when needed. She was very nurturing, hilarious, and witty. Bennette touched the lives of many, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Bennette now joins in heaven her husband, Joe; parents, Jose and Rosa Hong-Yee; parents-in-law Jose and Manuela C. Blas; father-in-law, Francisco "Kuninori" Iwashita; siblings, Maria Hong-Yee Aflleje, and Francisco "Ankie" Hong-Yee; and siblings-in-law, Eliza "Taichan" I. Anderson and Jesus A. Atoigue, Susana "Mieko" Iwashita, and Benjamin C. Blas.
Bennette is survived by her children, Kevin Iwashita (Abram and Aurelia), Christopher and Grace Iwashita (Samantha and Joseph), Jenyn Iwashita and Alvin Placides (JillienneRose and Evelyn), Catherine I. and Emerson Bamba, and Vincent-Allen and Pallas Iwashita. She is also survived by her partner, Jose Pinaula; her siblings, Vicente "Ben" and Jean Hong-Yee, Alejandro "Ando" and Doris Hong-Yee, and Lourdes "Didding" Hong-Yee; and her siblings-in-law, Claire Hong-Yee, Jesus "Oniichan" and Hagino Iwashita†, Maria "Toi" I. and Felix Perez, Emilia "Kako" I. and Malcolm Goodwin†, Natividad "Chico" I. and Francisco Gumataotao†, Veronica "Vicky" B. and Juan Toves, Antonio "Tony" C. and Susan Blas, Concepcion "Anchie" C. Blas and Mark "Andy" Anderson, Ricardo "Rickat" C. and Anita Blas, and Francisco† and Rosie Fejeran.
She will also be missed by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel, located at 120 South Broadway, in Moore, Oklahoma. A reception will be held at Lynlee Mae Chapel, located at 507 E. Main Street, in Moore, Oklahoma, following the visitation.
A Rosary will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 10, 2025, and immediately following the Rosary, the Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 800 NW 5th Street, in Moore, Oklahoma.
A service will also be held in Guam, on January 22, 2025, at the Blessed Diego Church, in Tumon, Guam, which includes last respects from 09:00 AM– 11:30 AM Chamorro Standard Time (ChST), with the Mass following at 12:00 PM ChST. Interment/Burial will be held at Guam Veterans Cemetery at 1:30 PM ChST.
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