JoAnn Kuuipo Medeiros

Dawn Tillery

2w ago

When a friendship lasts for 35+ years, it's not possible to choose just one memory to share. But there is a definite theme that runs through those years: JoAnn was a faith-filled, joyous woman who taught me what it really means to be a friend.

JoAnn made staying in touch a priority. During the Akolea days, that meant she would call me every morning at 5:30am, just so we could chat before the hecticness of getting kids ready for school. In more recent years, calls became less frequent but the connection was still there. Even when it had been several months since we last talked, our conversation would still flow in a natural, comfortable way.

We invariably talked about our kids. We were able to rejoice together and give praise to our Heavenly Father whenever any of our adult children re-embraced their Christian faith. Can there be any greater blessing than that?

Bridey Medeiros

7w ago

in honor of JoAnn.

When she would come and stay with you for months, she was happiest loving the simple things, and her hearty laugh was never far behind. She loved her coffee, easing into the day with a cup in her hands, unhurried. Her music was always close too, the songs she loved playing softly in the background, filling the space in a way that felt like home.

There was her singing and humming, never planned, just part of who she was. And then there were her TV series, the ones she followed faithfully. Watching together became its own kind of ritual. Sitting side by side, reacting to the same scenes, sharing quiet commentary, and laughing together made those moments feel full without needing anything extra.

She settled into those days with such ease. There was no pressure to make time meaningful. Being together already was. The small routines, the shared shows, the familiar music, they all mattered because they were shared.

Going to church together mattered to her, too. It was about presence and grounding, about something steady you could return to.

She loved those stretches of togetherness. The ordinary days. The slow mornings and calm evenings. Her joy came from closeness, from showing up and staying. Her laugh, her music, her favorite shows, all of it still lives with you, woven into those memories of just being together.

A large, lit white candle with a subtle wax drip on a beige background, accompanied by a white and pink paper flower on the right side.