May 27, 1928 – January 13, 2026
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister James Therese Joseph, who died peacefully on January 13, 2026 at Hale O Meleana care center in Honolulu, Hawai`i.
Wilhelmina Jeanette Niaulani Joseph was born on May 27, 1928, in Honolulu, Territory of Hawai`i, to Duncan K. and Emma Helm Joseph. Wilma’s beloved brother, Duncan Jr., arrived five years later.
She began her education at two English Standard schools in Honolulu. In the sixth grade, she transferred to St. Theresa School in the Kalihi area of Honolulu, which was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. After graduating from the ninth grade there, she spent one year at Sacred Hearts Academy, and she finished her high school education at Maryknoll. Like many of her contemporaries, she spent her teen summers working for Libby and for Dole Pineapple Companies. Wilma was very active in sports, especially basketball and volleyball, in which she excelled. In 1946 she was named the outstanding female juvenile athlete of the Catholic Youth Organization.
In September 1947, she entered the postulate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Los Angeles. She made her first profession of vows in 1950, taking the name Sister James Therese, and made her final profession in 1953. During this time, she earned her bachelor of arts degree in education, history and sociology.
Sister James later earned a master’s degree in education, and she spent the rest of her life in that field. Over the years, she taught in schools in Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Winnetka, California; and in Paia, Maui, and Honolulu, Hawai`i. During her active ministry, she was a classroom teacher, vice-principal, principal, advisor, and volunteer.
She continued her love of sports, golfing as often as possible after school hours and having fun at the Super Bowl parties that the convents used to host. She travelled extensively, enjoying seeing places outside of Hawai`i.
As her health declined, Sr. James spent her last four years at Hale o Meleana, where she received wonderful care from their staff, and the staff of St. Francis Hospice.
She loved her extended family, her religious sisters, her many lay friends and her former students. She will be sorely missed.
The funeral for Sister James Therese Joseph will be held on Saturday, February 7, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, 712 North School Street in Honolulu. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., and the funeral Mass begins at 11 a.m. (watch the livestream on the church’s Facebook page beginning at 10:30 a.m. HST / 12:30 p.m. PST.) Interment will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Los Angeles Province, 11999 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049 or donate online.
Rest in peace
I loved sister james , she was the best friend I could ever have had while going to school at St. Theresa. A loving and beautiful woman she loved and cared for every student that she came in contact with. Even after becoming an adult I visited her often and had lunch with her a couple of times. Her lessons and advice are a permanent fixture in my life. Ill miss you sister, and rest in love and peace with our father.
I lived with Sister James Terese Joseph at St. John’s and she was a very gentle, loving woman who lived the true charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She treated people with love and compassion. She was a blessing to everyone, parents, other teachers and her students. RIP
I am a cousin of Sister James Therese. Her mother, Emma Joseph was my godmother.
Our family lived next door to her parents. We called her Wilma. she was way older than me but I remember what a wonderful person she was. I was going to St. Theresa’s when she taught there. everyone loved her. I often kept in touch as much as I could. We talked about old times and she would always ask how my siblings were doing. She is at peace now and I will await the day when we will meet each other again.