Carolyn Lalakea Obituary

Carolyn Clausen Lalakea, 92, died peacefully on February 24th, 2025, at her home in Honolulu.

Born in Winnetka, Illinois, on October 31, 1932, daughter of Roslyn Houser Clausen and John Burkert Clausen, Lynn graduated from New Trier High School and Northwestern University, where she also did graduate studies.

In 1956, she moved to Honolulu, where she met Tom Lalakea. The two were married in Los Angeles on February 9, 1959.

Lynn worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin's society staff as a columnist and feature writer until her retirement to raise her family and participate in community work with The Honolulu Academy of Arts, Punahou School, and The Garden Club of Honolulu. She and Tom shared a love of landscapes and gardening. A favorite project was opening their historic Nu'uanu Valley home to garden tours sponsored as a fundraiser by The Garden Club of Honolulu, of which Lynn was a long-time member. At Lynn's request, Tom served as a docent for these tours, delighting the visitors with garden lore and tales of old Hawaii.

Preceded in death by her husband, Tom, Lynn is survived by three daughters: Dr. Mary Lauren Lalakea (Aaron Alter), Puanani Bear Lalakea, and Louise Lalakea Alving (Jason); and grandchildren Ethan (Eva), Isaac (Sam), and Abigail Alter; Molly (Josh), Thomas (Casey), Caroline (Joe), and Pau Turina; and Jack and Lauren Alving.

Private services have been held. Donations in Lynn's memory are welcome at Catholic Charities and Punahou.