Josephine Caalim Obituary

JOSEPHINE MADAMBA CAALIM Josephine Ramones Madamba Caalim passed away peacefully in Aiea on her 96th birthday - a fitting and graceful closing to a long life richly lived and deeply loved. Born on January 20, 1930, in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, to Hipolito and Bernarda Ramones Madamba, Josephine was the heart-centered middle child in a family of five: Felipe, Iluminada, Felix, and Manuel. From her earliest days, she carried within her a quiet strength and sense of purpose that would guide her across oceans and through decades of change. In 1947, with courage and hope, she immigrated to Honolulu, Hawai'i. She attended McKinley High School before transferring to Waipahu High School, where she earned her diploma - an early testament to her determination and resilience. She often credited her deep and abiding faith as the source of her many blessings, including 24 cherished years of marriage to her beloved husband, Navy CPO (Ret.) Peter Agudera Caalim. Together, they built a home grounded in love and raised four children who remained the center of her world. Josephine's work ethic was as remarkable as her spirit. As a Hawaiian Life insurance agent, she earned top salesperson honors, excelling through sincerity, diligence, and her natural gift for connecting with others. In 1965, she began what would become a 30-year chapter at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's famed Surf Room, where she worked as a waitperson until her retirement in 1995. With her warm smile and gracious manner, she welcomed guests from around the world, embodying the hospitality and aloha of the islands she proudly called home. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Josephine delighted in life's simple and joyful pleasures. She expressed her love through cooking. She found happiness in music and ballroom dancing, in lively conversations with friends, in traveling, and in the quiet companionship of a good novel. Affectionately known as "Mama Jo," she radiated warmth, generosity, and fierce loyalty. Nothing brought her greater fulfillment than caring for her children and nurturing lifelong friendships. A remarkable and spirited matriarch, Josephine leaves behind a legacy woven with unconditional love, kindness, patience, and resilience. She is survived by her children: Veronica (John Tidwell), Edward (Barbara), Steven (Becky), and Bernadette (son Christopher Polanzi); stepdaughter Fe Kiambao (Jose); and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom carry forward her strength and grace. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; and her stepchildren Joseph Pastor "Sonny" Caalim, Jr., Gina Kualapai, and Estrelita Llacuna. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. Visitation begins at 5pm. Services to be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 9am at St. Elizabeth Church, Aiea. Interment to follow at 1pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC