When Loretta Fuddy took over as director of the state Department of Health, one of the first things she did was help save the Maui County medevac helicopter from falling victim to the budget ax.
On Wednesday that same helicopter carried her body and survivors of a commuter plane crash off the Kalaupapa peninsula for further medical treatment.
"One thing you know about Molokai is that when there’s a plane crash, it’s about family. This time it was my family," said Molokai paramedic Scotty Schaefer, husband of Fuddy’s stepsister, Lynette Schaefer.
Shaeffer remembered his sister-in-law Thursday after an emotional gathering in which hundreds of Department of Health employees, many of them with tears in their eyes, bid farewell to their former boss outside the agency’s office.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie joined Fuddy’s family members — the Shaeffers; Fuddy’s brother, Lewis Fuddy; and Fuddy’s niece Kimberlee Greer and husband Keith Greer — in a ceremony honoring the 65-year-old career social worker and health professional who rose to the top after 30 years in the department.
Afterward, Fuddy’s colleagues lined up to offer words of comfort and hugs to the family. Family members later said they were left with a warm glow after hearing how her employees held her in such high regard.
Lynette Shaeffer, who is a Molokai police chaplain and was unaware Fuddy was going to be at Kalaupapa on Wednesday, ended up identifying her stepsister’s body. She said the employees told her that her stepsister was well loved, compassionate and humble. "She would always see the best in people and lift them up to be the best they could be," she said.
Lewis Fuddy reminisced about his sister growing up in Kaimuki. She was a fun-loving and smart child who went on to become involved in school politics and was elected student body president of her high school, Sacred Hearts Academy. She would eventually hold degrees in sociology, social work and public health from the University of Hawaii and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Public Health.
"She was always personable, always fun-loving, always ready to help others," he said.
The brother laughed remembering how he persuaded a young Loretta to hold on to a target, allowing him to throw darts, one of which hit her foot, drawing blood. He also described how she wasn’t afraid of strapping on roller skates and flying down their family’s steep driveway only to crash into the garage.
There was a time in high school when her prom date got sick and she asked her brother to be a last-minute fill-in.
"She didn’t give up. She thought, I’m going to find somebody else to take me," he said.
Fuddy served as chief of the state Family Health Services Division before being appointed deputy director in 2001. She was appointed acting director by Abercrombie in 2011.
Fuddy, who was single, enjoyed singing in the choir at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa and taking care of her cat, Flint.
"She was an animal lover," said Lewis Fuddy, a former teacher and athletic director at Kalaheo High School. "She was the type to go to the Humane Society and choose the worst-looking one, the one all battered up, and then take it home and bring it to life, so to speak."
During Thursday’s ceremony, Abercrombie was emotional as he described his lieutenant being killed in the line of duty while serving "the most abandoned, the most left out, the most marginalized," the people of Kalaupapa.
"That’s who she dedicated her life to," he said.
Abercrombie said her employees were especially important to her.
"We’re all family here today," the governor said. "Our hearts are broken. Loretta was deeply loved and respected. She was selfless, utterly dedicated and committed to her colleagues in the Department of Health."
Gary Gill, deputy director of environmental health, said Fuddy’s employees were in shock and grieving when they came to work Thursday morning. He said at 8 a.m. scores of employees spontaneously converged on the third floor where they held an impromptu moment of silence and ceremony.
"I don’t think there’s a person in this building who didn’t think they had a close, personal relationship with Deliana," said Gary Gill, using the director’s nickname.
Kathleen Merriam, a social worker in the department’s Adult Mental Health Division, said she was proud to have served under Fuddy. She described the ceremony as inspirational.
"It really helped me to want to keep doing what I’m doing," she said. "So now I’m going back to work."
Dr. Linda Rosen, chief of Emergency Medical Services, said she told family members their loved one was "a wonderful, warm and dedicated public servant."
"Everyone in this department knew (the job) was her passion, her life. She gave her whole life to it — everything she had. And we really were her family."
Meanwhile, dozens of statements of tribute to Fuddy were issued by public officials across Hawaii on Thursday.
"Loretta Fuddy was one of the finest, most capable, and most caring public servants I have ever known," said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. "This is a sad day for Hawaii."
Tom Matsuda, interim executive director of the Hawaii Health Connector, said, "I cannot even begin to convey what a terrible loss this is for Hawaii. I worked closely with Director Fuddy on the Affordable Care Act and came to know and respect her as a passionate advocate for public health and a warm, caring human being. It is difficult for me to believe she is gone so suddenly."
Kamana‘opono Crabbe, Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO, called Fuddy a progressive leader who was a strong advocate for children and people with disabilities.
"She was a champion for equity and Native Hawaiians who suffer many health disparities. Her legacy will be long, and the foundation she leaves will help the people of Hawaii for many years to come," Crabbe said.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, recalled her days on the City Council working with Fuddy on issues dealing with dengue fever and radioactive contamination from the Japanese tsunami and, more recently, with helping veterans.
"She was a fierce advocate for our keiki and kupuna," Gabbard said. "I am deeply saddened by her untimely passing."
House Speaker Joe Souki described Fuddy as a dedicated and passionate public servant who led with grace and always rose to the challenge.
"She was especially passionate about the most vulnerable in our communities, a champion for mothers, newborns and early childhood care. Her warm, caring spirit for the people of Hawaii will truly be missed." Souki said.
State Senate President Donna Mercado Kim said, "Loretta Fuddy embodied the very spirit and character of public service, dedicating her life to the health and well-being of all of Hawaii’s people."
