Julia M. Senckowski

Mass Postponed for Tuesday.  Mass re-scheduled for Wednesday 10 a.m.                   Saint John's Church                    40 Temple Street                     Worcester, MAJulia Kahikina M. (Stein) Senckowski      1924 – 2017   Worcester, MA – Julia Kahikina M. (Stein) Senckowski, lovingly known as “Tutu” 1924 – 2017 For those of you who have read the poem, “The Dash – Making a Difference with Your Life”, by Linda Ellis (www.simpletruths.com); you learned that it’s not the date you were born, nor the date of your death that is so significant, but rather, it’s the “Dash” ( – ) between those years, that matters most!  This “Obituary” will soon reveal the story of one remarkable human being, who never read, nor even heard of the “Dash” yet, she epitomized that poem throughout her life, which “overflowed” with experiences and acts of kindness, that not only made a difference in her life, but most importantly, transformed the lives of countless of others who had the privilege of meeting her, over her brief, 92 years.  If you haven’t read that poem yet, then hopefully, after you’ve gotten to know a little about Julie Kahikina “Tutu”, through this brief synopsis of her life, she will continue to “Make a Difference” – In Your Life too and will inspire you to take time to read that poem and to then find a way to make a difference in the life of one other person!  Enjoy!...     Julia Kahikina M. (Stein) Senckowski “Tutu” (Grandmother in Hawaiian) of Worcester, MA, was taken home by the Lord on March 6, 2017, while surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on August 12, 1924 on the Island of Oahu, HI and lived her childhood in the town of Wahiawa.  Julia is reunited with her husband, Joseph M. Senckowski, Sr. and her 5th child, Christine Ku’ulei (Senckowski) Plouffe, who preceded her in death, along with her mother, Julia Laukeialoha (Haia) Reiny-Santillian of Maui, HI, her father, Joseph M. Reiny of Honolulu, HI, and her adopted parents, Elizabeth (Haia) and Oliver Stein of Honolulu, HI. Julie’s generous, “aloha spirit” of giving and caring for others, is carried on by her remaining eleven children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, which are nearing 100 descendants and which include four sons; Joseph M. Senckowski, Jr. and his wife, Robin of Florida; John F. Senckowski and his wife, Nancy of Holden; Patrick D. Senckowski and his wife, Yuri of Hawaii, Michael Senckowski and his wife, Rosemarie of Holden; seven daughters; Antoinette Leinani Donovan (husband, Donald,  predeceased her), of Millbury; Bernadette Leilani Chabot and her husband Ernest, of Cherry Valley; Monica Ululani DiNinno (husband, Albert Jr., predeceased her) of Hawaii; Theresa U’ilani Senckowski of Worcester; Maria Lilialani Ciampi and her husband, Richard of Florida; Kathleen Lokelani Dudzinski (husband, Konstanty, Jr., predeceased her) of Worcester; and Lisa Nalani Peterson and her husband, Niles of Cape Cod.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. A Native Hawaiian, Julie shared none of her or her husband’s ordeals of that infamous Pearl Harbor attack on Oahu, with her family.  Their joint “silence” left their children to grow up, thinking their parents were somehow “removed” from that horrible event and that it was exclusive to Pearl Harbor only!  It wasn’t until the remake of the film, “Pearl Harbor” aired in 2001, while Julie was visiting her daughter, Theresa, who was living in Honolulu. Theresa pleaded, repeatedly to her mother to attend the premier with her, but with every plea, Julie’s refusals grew ever stronger – but without any explanation.  It was weeks later, when she approached Theresa and said she would like to see that movie, that they finally attended; but their viewing was short-lived!  Once the planes began their rapid machine gun firing, Julie bolted up from her seat and raced to the rear exit. That is when her daughter learned that she was in the midst of the same hale of fury, in the valley of her small town of Wahiawa. That is when, after 60 years of silence, that Julia asked her daughter, if she would accompany her back to her hometown of Wahiawa, so she could show her where her mama Elizabeth lived and where her mama Julia lived; and to tell her about what happened there, as well as throughout the island, on that fateful day of December 7, 1941.  As they walked, arm and arm, through Wahiawa, Julie took her daughter back through time, vividly relaying, the scenarios of her childhood; two of which were poignant turning points in her life!   The first was of her relentless fight and perseverance, as a young child, to become a Catholic - against all odds & especially against her family’s strict Hawaiian religious culture, which revered and honored their “Goddess” Pele, and other ancient demi-gods, for thousands of years!  She’d sneak out her bedroom window in the wee hours of Friday mornings, long before the sun rose, to meet with their village’s only Catholic Priest - to learn about the faith, that she grew to love and hold so dearly and which she and Joe  raised every one of her children with!  She was met with severe and vehement, retribution, each and every time she returned from her Catechism lessons.  But she was not deterred!  With deep wounds, both emotionally and physically, Tutu’s resolve was rewarded, when at the age of ten, she finally achieved her dream and received her “First Holy Communion”!  But it wasn’t in a pretty white dress, with polished, white, patent leather shoes that she wore, nor was there any veil to grace her strong, defiant head that she just braided together, as best she could for that holy event!  Instead she dressed herself in her old, worn, blue dress, because no-one in her family would attend the ceremony; she laced up her, scuffed, old black shoes, and marched herself to the church for the procession by all the children, to enter it’s hallowed walls.  While in line, waiting for that procession to begin, she was taunted, teased and bullied by the boys and girls as well as their families, for her family’s religious background and especially for her attire!  The other children hit her and pulled at her dress and long braids, pulling her out of the line and onto the ground, as they continued to strike at her, over and over again,  telling her to get out of there, that “her kind” didn’t belong there; while their parents just stood there watching the attacks.  But they didn’t know this strong, little “Wahine” who already withstood years of assailments by her next of kin and those other “Kahunas”!   They didn’t know how she rose above all terrors and attacks, to reach this very pinnacle of her Catholic journey! There was nothing any of them could do that would stop her now!  So Julia Kahikina rose up from that ground and began to defend herself against those assailants and fought a furious fight against them all, until the nuns pulled her away, chastising her for causing the fight!  They then led her to the church’s photographer, who awaited his time to etch each child’s cherished moment in time, on that camera’s glass plate.  But Julia Kahikina’s image was not one of “bliss”, it was one of resolute determination, with her now tattered and dirty, blue dress, her hair frizzing out of her once taut braids, her lips, tightly pursed, her raging black eyes searing through that lens, with only her right eyebrow, raised way up, higher than her left one (this is what happened whenever she was angry – and that was also how, over the years, all she ever needed to do – she NEVER yelled, in order for her husband and children to know, while they trembled under that  stern, raised brow of her right eye, that it was time to be still and listen!). Her Holy Communion photo is a treasured, family heirloom, not just because of what Julie had endured to receive her Catholic Sacrament; but it was her living testimony to all her family, and to all who ever knew her, to remember that it doesn’t matter what life throws at you, so long as you always remember that “God comes first - no matter what!”   As Julie continued her walk through her village with her daughter, she slowly began to painfully unveil the events that occurred in her home of Wahiawa, while the attacks were taking place at Pearl Harbor. She told of the enemy planes flying in so low, between the two volcanic mountain peaks, that surrounded Wahiawa’s valley, in order to avoid US radar and of how they swooped down on her little village and open-fired upon the locals, killing and injuring so many of her friends and neighbors. She also told her how, while running through those same streets, to find her little brother, Benny, and as the bullets whizzed by her, she saw them striking young and old all around; and of how she kept stopping to save one after the other, taking off clothing and pressing hard into their wounds, but couldn’t stop the bleeding; of how she finally found her brother and while carrying him, ran back into those flaring machine gun fires, and that only by the grace of God, was she able to bring him home safely, to her mama Elizabeth’s house.     She also told of how, when the air fell silent, it was more terrifying to her than the roar of the planes’ propellers and the rat-a-tat-tat of their machine gun fires!  Because she knew what awaited them outside, throughout the streets of their village.  She told of American soldiers stopping her and others, asking if they knew where planes were hidden and of pointing them towards the fields; with others racing ahead to lead them, while she and her mamas cared for the injured.  She also spoke of her panic, realizing her husband, Joe was assigned to Pearl Harbor, that day by the Navy, and praying that he was safely away from that site; only to learn from him when he returned to her in Wahiawa, that he was on Dock 10, in Pearl Harbor during that attack and he told her, how he prayed to God to keep him and his brother safe, while they were pulling sailor after sailor, out of the water.  He told her how he felt God’s hand was guiding his every step, all over those docks, as he tried to save just one more guy; and how he had to stay long after that attack too, to help in the recovery efforts, throughout the night.  She told of how she knew it was God, who protected them all throughout this devastating event! Five years after that attack, Julie, along with her husband, Joe and children, arrived in Worcester, on April 9, 1946.  But, even that event was not without a harrowing adventure!  Because their voyage by ship, was met, head-on, deep in the Pacific ocean, by the devastating Tsunami that hit the Shores of the Big Island, Hawaii on April 1, 1946.  She told of how her husband and children were violently sick as their ship rode up and down, the vertical walls of those massive waves!  She said she was too busy, cleaning up after them,  over and over again, to get sick, herself.  She said she could see the floor of the ocean through their portal, whenever their ship would delve straight down, into the belly of it’s enormous swells, and how, within a moment, they were underwater, watching the sea life swirl by their portal! Then, just as rapidly as they soared down, they were heading vertically, upward and could only see the sky!  This happened over and over, throughout their terrifying experience at sea.  But again, she said, to her daughter, “God’s hand was upon us until we miraculously met the shores of California.  After their cross-country trip from California to Worcester’s Union Station, Julie enjoyed her life as a full-time mom, raising their twelve children, until 1961, when she joined Avon and soon attained the first of many awards for top sales representative of New England!  When asked how she achieved such rapid, stellar success, she matter-of-factly stated, “My eldest daughter is going to Nursing School and I have eleven more to go!”  So, that was the Secret of her Success – what drove her to face down and rise above, all and any restrictive conventions of her time and the many obstacles that were braced in front of her; her children! Yes!  But there was more, including; her dedication to serving her community, her deep respect for the elderly, her devotion to her catholic faith, her commitments to her family and friends – and so many, were counted as her friends!  Over the years, as she transitioned and advanced through her prolific work and life experiences, Julie’s far sweeping reach of kindness and generosity, coupled with her no-nonsense approach to life’s problems, also guided and supported countless people through their own struggles and journeys in life; it even extended to every age group and walk of life, including; preschool children - as one of the pioneering teachers in the newly created, Head Start Program in Worcester.  While there, Julie realized that many of the children in her care, needed additional help that went beyond the resources of Head Start; so she took it upon herself to meet with these families-on her own time; recognizing that much more help was also needed at the family level. She sought additional resources for the whole family, including medical supplies, food, clothing, counseling, childcare, parenting classes, job training classes, job search help, and more; she advocated for each child, their parents and families, then reached out to connect them with the numerous agencies and services, and where needed, with the authorities, in order to provide that child will a fuller measure of support for their future. In 1964, after 5 ½ years at Head Start, and because of her commitment to help so many of these children and their families, who were lost at finding the services they were in desperate need of, Julie, along with a team of others, started the newly incepted, Piedmont Neighborhood Center, in order to dedicate themselves, full-time, to helping so many more single mothers and their families obtain the critical help they needed through the many government agencies, programs and funding; all the while, by the early sixties, she found herself, alone, to raise her 12 children!  She continued selling Avon, throughout these years.  There were many who benefited from this neighborhood center; some were so inspired by Julie’s tenacity at procuring services and funding, that they went on to also become advocates for families, in the field of social services while some also joined the ranks of workers at that Piedmont Neighborhood Center. While at the Neighborhood Center, Julie saw too many youths and teenagers, so out-of-control and “rebelling” against authorities and society, to the point of becoming dangerously destructive to others, their own family, as well as themselves; that it made managing the needs of their family fail miserably, as long as that teen continued to spiral out of control, while in that family unit.  She realized that this specific group needed exceptional support and guidance; well beyond what her Neighborhood Center could provide, but she wouldn’t give up on them!  In 1975, Julie was recognized for her dedication to these youth and appointed one of the founding social services workers in Worcester’s newly established, “Youth Resources”.  For over 11 years, Julie not only tirelessly advocated - but more often, confronted some of Worcester’s most troubled youth and teenagers who were entangled or lost in the many legal, bureaucratic or institutional systems.  She became so skilled at understanding the rules and regulations, as well as the contacts and resources available to those in need, that it appeared as though she’d seamlessly weave through the maze of government programs, agencies, legal jurisdictions and regulations, in order to provide the correct network of support referrals for each individual’s need.  She soon became a vital resource for many others in Youth Resources, and was recruited to create and run a training program, which she entitled, “The Best Way to Make a Referral” and it ran for over two years.  Her program proved so successful, and gained such wide-attention; that it expanded beyond the borders of her Youth Resources Agency and soon, she was running that same training program for the entire Worcester School Department, as well as all Social Services Agencies! It was not uncommon for Julie to take some of these teens home with her when they were on their last leg and had nowhere else to go but detention centers, prisons, the streets, or worse – death!  She’d slice right through their bull and have them face and accept their current reality and their grim future, if they continued on their same road of self-destruction.  Her mission was to help them learn how to help themselves. She began by relentlessly peeling back the thick veneers of some of Worcester’s “hardest-core, street youths” by guiding each one, with a strong foundation of honest, straight talk; by creating with each youth, well-organized and clearly structured rules and step processes to reach each of their goals; by fostering full-family involvement throughout that youth’s rehabilitation; by being with them during their court arraignments, by holding each one fully-accountable for both past and present mistakes, and by acknowledging their ownership and recognize what part they played in their own consequences. She also acknowledged each one’s accomplishments, no matter how small and created with each one, their reward system that each wanted to attain – because she had them create it too!  For those that Julie believed could still be helped, but were on their very last leg, she’d offer a temporary safe haven at her home and continued to guide them along a path of hope and reform to a more positive future.  Years and decades had passed, yet many of these now adults, would seek her out to thank her for changing the path they were on, telling her how their lives had changed, with some telling her that she had literally saved their lives!  But she never sat on her laurels – and she certainly, didn’t stop there!  During her involvement in the various support agencies, Julie recognized other voids that did not appear to be met by existing, available resources; one of which was providing high-quality, clean, used furniture, and immaculate, working appliances, that anyone would be proud to bring home, but at exceptionally affordable prices, to accommodate the masses in the growing, very low-income levels.  It appeared the only resources available, offered worn or outcast furniture and very few if any, offered badly used, dirty, and “sometimes”  working appliances - and none came with any warranties – after all, they were someone else’s cast-offs.  Julie knew too well what so many had to deal with because she faced those same dilemmas when she and her husband, Joe purchased their 13 room home in 1953 for their ever-growing family.  Again, Julie took up the cause and made it her personal mission to find a way to offer everyone with very limited finances, top quality appliances and furniture, at very affordable prices, that they would also be so proud to bring home!  By the mid-sixties, she had enough funds and moxi, to put an ad in the paper, offering to buy “whole estates”, in the hope of attracting higher-end income levels, looking to sell these quality-type items – and she did!  Soon, she was acquiring more than the four walls of her 13 room house, attic and basement could hold!  This is how “Tiny Bubbles” became the first, re-manufactured appliances store in the heart of Worcester, in 1965, catering primarily to low-income families.  She co-operated this business, on a part-time basis, while she still devoted herself, full-time, to her community and agencies.  That store thrived and within 10 years, there were three (with two more arriving, years later) that also offered quality, used furniture as well as new. Word spread far and wide, about Julie and her fine quality furniture and re-manufactured appliances with warranties! Soon, people from all walks of life were clamoring to meet that Hawaiian woman, who gave these stores, unique, Polynesian names like; “Tiny Bubbles, “Diamond Head” (which she helped her sons open) and “Aloha”.  Everyone that entered her store was welcomed with her genuine, “Aloha Spirit”, and were soon transported to “paradise”, as Hawaiian music often filled the air, accompanied with her beautiful, songbird-like voice, with her ukulele in hand, strumming along.  This was much more than a shopping trip; it was an experience they’d never forget!  Julie truly lived her values of genuine care and “Aloha spirit”, sharing them without reservation, with so many as well as instilling them into each of her twelve children.  These core values were evident, whenever a family was evacuated from their home, due to fire; she knew who to contact for emergency services for them and generously donated furniture, appliances and household items to these families during their time of need.  Often, she and her children would load the truck and personally deliver these items to the families when they moved into a new home or apartment.  She’d personally follow-up with them over the months, to insure that they were connected to the correct resources and services.  She taught her children to respect, love, forgive and to take care of each other, because “family comes first!” and that family bond, like it or not, is with you, where ever you go, throughout your life; She also instilled in them to revere the elderly, explaining that they were the most valuable cornerstone that built and held the family together; they were the window for you to see your own history unfold – if you listened to their stories; and they were the ones their children and grandchildren would come to for comfort, wisdom, guidance, and security, throughout their lives (just as so many of her own, did with her). She also taught her children to treat everyone with the same level of respect that they, themselves expected, regardless of their circumstances or position in life; And to take every opportunity to reach out to help someone in need, because they would be the one to receive so much more. There were many worn paths to her home and store, by family, friends, and even customers, over “wrongs” that were done by others, which some felt, justifiably deserved retribution; but she would swiftly and steadfastly, admonish them to see beyond satisfying their need for vengeance, regardless if it was justified; because, as she’d always say, “…revenge is like a cancer; if allowed to fester, it will only grow and end-up destroying you, not the other!”.  Julie didn’t just preach these lessons, she lived them, every day, even in the midst of the many assaults on her character by adversaries, throughout the years; Oh, she was a strong woman, who wouldn’t hesitate to voice her position or opinions, especially in defense of others. But there was also a quiet strength in this woman, who stood firm in her resolve and yet, still forgave all, regardless of their intent as well as the outcome. She was a living example to her children as well as so many others, of how to live a full life, free from the entanglements of anger and revenge; free to enjoy all that you want to bring into your life and all that God has in store for you! When Julie finally opened “Aloha Appliance and Furniture” store in Worcester, which she owned and operated for over three decades, until her retirement, yet another need in her community became evident to her.  While meeting many single mothers, minorities, and poor, as they came to her store, many expressed that they felt they had no hope of ever owning their own home, due to either their ethnicity and/or financial hardships.  She heard them and had another epiphany; to go to school and obtain her Real Estate Broker’s License – which she did!  Then, she started her “Aloha Realty” business, along-side her appliance and furniture store.  She helped so many achieve their dreams of home-ownership by introducing them to “income properties”, such as the “three-deckers” that our city was so famous for.  With additional, positive cash-flow, through apartment rentals, many individuals were able to secure lending from the financial institutes that she made connections with, for them.  She also ran this business until her retirement, in her mid-seventies. But she still wasn’t finished with serving others in her community!  Following her retirement, she was nominated and accepted the appointed by Mayor, Raymond Mariano, as one of the Commissioners of Worcester Housing Authority (WHA).  She became one of their residents’ staunchest advocate and leader for elder and handicap rights throughout our city’s housing.  Her dedicated pursuit in “helping others to help themselves” led them to organize their own, “Tenant Associations”, giving each location, a stronger, unified, voice with Housing, and provided more funding from WHA and HUD (Housing and Urban Development).  Her hard work resulted in the establishment of 13 duly-elected tenant associations throughout our City’s Housing.  She was again nominated and appointed by City Manager Thomas Hoover, to an additional tenure and remained active in this position for a total of 10 years, into her early-eighties.  Just as Julie thought “retirement” had truly arrived and she could finally “rest on her laurels”; she was asked to run for a Board position in the Tenant Association of her own 200 unit, WHA building in Worcester.  Over the last 10 years she has held various positions, including President of her Association, more than once.                           She continued to advocate for her fellow-tenants and always had an open door, a cup of tea, soft Hawaiian music, and even a comfortable couch for her neighbors and friends, who needed an overnight place of refuge and comfort.  She was not only a resource for support, she was a genuine friend to anyone in need. Over the years, Julie received countless awards for her contributions, sacrifices, and service to our community; from NAHRO’s National Roll of Achievers Award to receiving the “Key to the City” from our Mayor. Perhaps, it was her Hawaiian name, “Kahikina”, which her mama Julia gave her at birth, that foretold her legacy;  It means “Eastern Star!” Julie was that “Bright-Light” in the midst of darkness for so many whom  she led to more fulfilling lives, by sharing about God, her values and convictions along with so many more, incredible stories about her life! But most importantly, she led so many to better lives, by helping them to truly help themselves!  We will deeply miss her, but her light shines on, through the lives of those she touched and hopefully, through the life she has inspired you to live!  “Aloha Oe, Mama and Tutu!, Til We Meet Again!” Calling Hours and a time of celebrating Julia’s life will be on Monday, March 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  The Celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial, will be on Tuesday, March 14, at 10 a.m. in Saint John’s Church, 40 Temple Street, Worcester.  Interment will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester