Dorothy Fusae (Kihara) Chang

Dorothy Fusae Kihara Chang, 97, of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, passed peacefully from this life, Sunday, August 4, 2019, surrounded by family members. She was born on the 17th of June, 1922 to Yokichi and Tokie Aoki Kihara in Mahukona, Hawaii. She attended schools in Kohala and Hilo, Hawaii, graduating from Hilo High in 1940. She married William Ako Chang on the 9th of August 1953 in Kohala, Hawaii then making their home in Holualoa, Hawaii. Bill preceded her in death on the 19th of January 2005.

Dorothy joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 28 and served faithfully in many callings in Primary, Young Women and Relief Society throughout her life. She learned secretarial skills including short hand, typing and other business machines of the day. She apprenticed as a barber and worked in a shop in Hawi, Hawaii with her sister, Carole. It was in that shop where she met her husband. Bill. She learned to crochet after joining the church and made things from rag rugs with large hooks to doilies with size 10 thread and number 7 hooks. For many years she made baby blankets even though she lived in Hawaii and many people wondered why she felt she needed to make so many blankets in Hawaii. Most of her great grandchildren live in Utah and cherish those blankets. Dorothy spent hours doing crossword puzzles so she could keep her mind sharp.

Dorothy is survived by her younger sister, Carole Tohara of Hawi, Hawaii; younger brother, George (Harriet) Kihara of Honolulu, Hawaii; both her sons, W. Guy (Teresa) of Salem, Utah and Michael R. (Kimberley) Chang of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Ako Chang, her older brother. Bob Mumiyo, younger brothers, Masayuki and Melvin Kihara, and younger sister, Kay Chiyoko Watanabe.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 10th 2019 at 160 South 460 West, Salem with a viewing beginning at 2:00 pm and services to follow at 3:30 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 31st 2019 at the Kona Hawaii Stake Center, 75-230 Kalani St., Kailua Kona, Hawaii, with a viewing at 10:00 am and services to follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Kona Memorial Park, 75-5553 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, Hawaii. Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuaries.com.