Florentina O'Brien Obituary

Florentina "Tina" Piilani O'Brien passed away on May 17, 2026 at the age of 85 in University Place, Washington. She was born August 20, 1940 to Gabino Dela Cruz and Sarah Kalai Luuloa in Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii, the youngest of three.

Tina moved to Honolulu with her mother when her parents divorced and completed her K-12 education at Kaimuki High School. A true Bulldog, she faithfully attended reunions for over 50 years.

She met Milton Kailimai while attending Business School. They were married July 1962 and gave birth to three children, Gilbert Kuikamoku, Miltina Kuuipolani, and Rhonda Lee Piilani (May 1967 - Feb 1968). An Army family, they moved to Washington in 1974, where her love and laughter continued to grow by 9 grandchildren and seven great-grands. Milton passed away in November 1998.

Tina was a gatherer of people, active in many sports, and loved to be "in the action", whether on the volleyball court, dancing hula and helping to teach as an assistant kumu (teacher), at church activities, spending time with Ohana (family) and friends, or anywhere there was fun and fellowship. She was often the designated driver when her hula sisters wanted to unwind at karaoke and that's how she met Ronald Roy O'Brien, who helped her add Irish to her pedigree by marriage in October 2007. A proud family woman, it made her happy to gain four more children, five grandchildren and 2 great grands to love.

Tina and Ron were well met. Both liked to travel and saw much of the world by car, plane and cruise ship. Tina spread joy wherever she went and her life was full with very few regrets. Though she never got to go parasailing or zip lining, she cherished being able to spend a day in Bethlehem to "walk where Jesus walked".

A beloved wife, mother, tutu-lady (grandmother) and friend, she will be missed by the many lives she touched.

Memorial services will be held on June 6th, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, South Tacoma Stake Center (2455 So. 78th St., Tacoma, WA 98409). Viewing at 10am, services at 12pm and reception to follow.