The Garden Island
Notice #: 0001159922-01
Funeral Notices


THELMA RODELLE EZER (NEÉ BELL)

Our beloved Thelma Rodelle Ezer (neé Bell), 87, of Honolulu passed away peacefully on December 16, 2018. Thelma was born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 10, 1931. She moved to Hawaii in 1961, which became her home. During her lifetime she worked briefly at Punahou School, and later was an integral part of the Neighborhood Justice Center where she worked as staff and mediator for over 15 years. Her work at the Justice Center included many cases at Family Court, where her presence was most felt. Thelma spent many years volunteering with the Amateur Athletic Union in Hawaii, serving as the registrar for amateur athletes in Hawaii. She maintained those records on index cards a long time before the digital age. She had many stories regarding a wide variety of her “clients,” including boxers, swimmers, runners and others. She worked countless hours assisting with the administrative chores of the Hawaii Swim Club, when her children were coached by the legendary Soichi Sakamoto. Thelma touched many lives and families with her devotion to amateur athletics. After retiring from the Center, she became a volunteer mediator in the Family Court of the First District of the State of Hawaii where she received high praise from both staff and judges for her insightful solutions to cases that were assigned to her. She kept close watch on her geographically dispersed family, including uncles, aunts and too many cousins to count from Boston to California. Thelma always welcomed all visitors to her house with warmth and hospitality, and was especially happy to see the friends of her children. She followed the Red Sox and the Patriots with passion, and was very happy to witness the Red Sox win the World Series this year. She is survived by sons Scott, Jonathan, and Andrew; daughters-in-law Anne, Nicole and Susan; and grandchildren, Matthew, Kelsey, Zachariah, Noah, Hannah and Dashiell. A memorial service will take place on December 30, 2018 at Borthwick Mortuary. Visitation beginning at 4 PM, service to follow at 5. Aloha attire. Please send any tributes or memorials to www.borthwickoahu.com Burial services at Punchbowl Cemetery will be private. Donations in Thelma’s name may be made to: the Institute of Human Services, 546 Kaaahi Street, Honolulu, HI, 96817, or through their website: https://ihshawaii.org.