Eva Theresa Mendes Cuelho passed away at age 86 on August 22, 2020, in the arms of her son in Waialua, Oahu. Eva was born on October 16, 1933, in Waianae, Oahu to Joaquina and Manuel Mendes. She was a true tomboy in her youth and loved eating red ginger, climbing trees, and playing in her backyard beach of Pokai Bay. She grew to be an excellent golfer and cribbage player. Eva will always be remembered for being giving and thoughtful which was shown through her lifelong caregiving to numerous children, family, and friends. Later in life, she became a certified CNA.

Eva was a walking encyclopedia when it came to the details of her family’s lives and Oahu’s history. She could recall dates and link stories of family relations like no other. She was beyond thoughtful and called people whenever she thought about them, without hesitation. And of course, she could talk your ear off, no matter if it was family and stranger, she always made people laugh. Eva was a strong woman of Catholic faith and always prayed for others. She joked that “God broke the mold when he made her”. Truly, he did, Eva was a woman with a heart of gold!

Eva was predeceased by her two brothers, Manuel and Paul Mendes, and predeceased by her ex-husband Earl Cuelho. She is survived by her sister Marie Magana, her son Bryan Cuelho and wife Charmaine Cuelho and her daughter Earlene Cuelho Alexiou and husband John Alexiou. Her three grandchildren are Mahina Cuelho and Keoni and Kali’a Alexiou. And great-granddaughter, Kau’ionalani Cuelho.

A private memorial will be held