Lily Hyun Yamashiro

July 28, 1931 - September 4, 2018

Lily H. Yamashiro, RN,BGS, MPH, Dr.PH. Lily Hyun Yamashiro was born in Wahiawa on July 28, 1931 and passed away in Honolulu at Queen's Medical Center on September 4, 2018, at the age of 87. She was a graduate of Leilehua High School and in her early career, Lily worked as an ER and OR nurse in various hospitals in Nuuanu, Kula, Hilo and on the mainland, including Los Angeles, California and while attending the University of Michigan. She married her ex-husband, Isao Yamashiro, in 1960 and had daughters, Julie, Kathleen and Lynn. When she decided to further her education, she attended Chaminade University for her bachelor's degree and the University of Hawaii, as both faculty and student, earning her master's degree in 1978 and doctorate in public health in 1993. Twice in her career, she worked for St. Francis Medical Center as a young nurse and later as Vice President, overseeing the hospital's nursing administration. With her unique credentials and perspective, as both a registered nurse and hospital administrator and with graduate degrees in public health, Lily was well-respected by her colleagues and was often recruited for difficult projects. The friendships made during her academic and professional career became life-long relationships that she cherished dearly. She retired in 2003, after passionately serving the needs of the community working in a variety of administrative positions for the State of Hawaii Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, Waikiki Health Center and other advisory boards. Lily's career in health care and public health touched many lives, built treasured friendships and showed her devotion to helping those in need. Her legacy lives on through her beloved family and friends, shared love of Korean dramas and crossword puzzles, and through those that benefited from her extensive work within the health care community and the programs that she helped establish or improve for Medicaid, elderly care, assisted living options and to improve the quality of health care in Hawaii. Lily is survived by siblings Edmund C.H. Hyun (Jean), Rose H. Moore, Alice H. Kim (Thomas) and Thomas C.H. Hyun; daughter Kathleen D. Yamashiro and husband Todd Tanioka; daughter Lynn H. Yamashiro and husband Raymond Okamoto; granddaughters Sera R. Yomen and Rysa S. Tanioka; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, John K.H. Hyun and Henry K.H. Hyun; and daughter Julie A. Yomen. Services will be held at Oahu Cemetery Chapel on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018; Aloha attire; visitation from 9 am; services at 10 am. Burial will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30, 10:30 am at Diamond Head Memorial Park for both Lily and daughter Julie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the river of Life Mission, 101 Pauahi Street Honoulul, Hawaii 96817.