Josephine Rodrigues Kell
Josephine Rodrigues Kell, a woman of grace and integrity, received her wings Tuesday, November 14, 2023, with family members by her side, at the age of 101.
Born August 11, 1922, in San Leandro, Calif., Jo was raised in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, the third child of Manuel and Theresa Silva Rodrigues.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Mary Abreu Rodrigues; siblings, Lucy Moniz, George Rodrigues, James Rodrigues, infant Ida, and Stanley Rodrigues; and her husband, Francis.
Jo graduated from Baldwin High School (Wailuku), Class of 1941. Her dream of becoming a nurse was delayed by World War II. To save money for higher education, Jo worked as a civilian secretary for the U.S. Navy at Puunene Airfield.
She met Francis Konetsky Kell, USMC, at a USO dance. They courted throughout the War.
In 1949, after completing RN training at St. Francis School of Nursing in Honolulu, she and Francis married, moved to Footedale, and raised their family in Uniontown.
Although Jo was full-blooded Portuguese (Island of Madeira), she fully embraced Hawaiian culture during her upbringing on Maui. She loved doing the hula at parties, introducing her family to fish and poi, lomilomi salmon, and kalua pig; sharing Hawaii’s music, fabric and overall Aloha with her children and everyone with whom she interacted.
Education, learning, exercise and travel were important to Josephine. Learning was the top priority: Her motto was “Strive for the Highest!”. Jo made time for weekly family trips to the library, regularly took all six children to the Carnegie Museums, Zoo, Ice Capades, Circus, and Phipps Conservatory, which was “her favorite”. She insisted upon whole foods for each meal; that her children have fun outside instead of watching TV; that all the children learn to swim, sew and bake, and learn a musical instrument. Jo had determination and resilience, which is her legacy to her family.
Jo served as a pediatric Registered Nurse at Uniontown Hospital from 1949-1984. After retirement, Jo earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing and Gerontology from California University of Pennsylvania, cared for grandchildren, sang in the church choir, and orchestrated road trip adventures from Uniontown to Pittsburgh for her friends. Jo traveled by air at least twice every year – arranging international trips with her sister, Lu; leading tours to Hawaii for her neighbors; and visiting with her children, her Maui-and- Oahu-based siblings and high school and nursing school friends. She spearheaded a walking group in Worthington, Ohio, where she lived later in life. Never sedentary, Jo prided herself on her active lifestyle, which kept her young at heart and forever curious.
Josephine is survived by her children, Mary Kay Sykes, Veronica (Dennis Argo), Donna (Michael Graybrook), Mitchell, Patty Doyle (George), Matthew; nine grandchildren, Alain, Antoinette, Christopher, Emily, Kyle, Maria, Claudia, Katie and George; and four great-grandchildren, Khaled, Raegan, Henry and Peter Francis. Also surviving are a multitude of nieces and nephews and many special friends in Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Ohio and throughout the U.S.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 16, in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 180 Old Walnut Hill Road, Uniontown, PA 15401. Mass will be followed by a meal, Hawaiian music, and conversation in the church hall. All relatives, neighbors and friends are invited.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions, in memory of Josephine Rodrigues Kell, to https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong, for relief from the tragic Lahaina wildfire.
Fabry Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 71 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, Uniontown, PA 15401, is entrusted with her arrangements.
www.fabryfuneralhome.com