Lorna Lei Katoa

December 15, 1940 - January 24, 2015

Beloved Mother Lorna Lei Katoa, known as “Grandma Lei” passed away peacefully on Sat. Jan. 24th 2015. She was born in Pahala, in Ka’u County on the Big Island of Hawaii to a ranching family of paniolos, which is Hawaiian cowboys. “Lei” graduated from Punahou High School and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and then Church College of Hawaii, currently known as BYU Hawaii. Lei was a member of the University of Hawaii Canoe Club paddling outrigger canoes. While at University of Hawaii, she participated in the musicals of “South Pacific” and “Carousel.” Lei performed at the International Marketplace in Waikiki and met her beloved husband at CCH and later married Latu Inoke Katoa in the LDS Laie Hawaii Temple. Lei tutored children with special needs and was a member of the Utah Hawaiian Civic Club promoting Hawaiian culture, Hula and language. She also retired from American Express. She was an active member of the LDS Church and filled her life with sacrifice, hard work, and heart-felt service by volunteering for Utah Aging Services and delivering boxes to the elderly. She surrounded her life with beautiful music and was talented at teaching and playing the piano and the organ in church and shared this joy with many children. She was a sweet, giving, inspiring, and amazing mother, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Latu Inoke Katoa. She leaves behind 5 daughters, 3 sons and all of their spouses, including 26 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Services are under the direction of Peni Malohifo'ou of Serenity Funeral Home Her Services are going to held at the The Sunridge Ward 5422 S Sarah Jane Drive SLC A viewing/apo on Friday January 30th from 6pm to 10pm and, Saturday January 31st from 8am until 10:30am. Her funeral service will follow at 11am. Interment will be held at Redwood Memorial Estates 6500 S Redwood Road