Reverend Gideon G. Neth

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Reverend Gideon G. Neth, our PIBBA friend and father of PIBBA Immediate Past President, Senator Shelten G. Neth. Most Reverend Gideon G. Neth left this earth on May 23, 2013 at 4:05 a.m. He was 96 years and 5 months old. He will always be remembered. God Bless him and his family. May he rest in peace.

    

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SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE HAWAII CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST:

In Memory of Gideon G. Neth

The Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ (U.S.A.),  a missions partner of the United Church of Christ Pohnpei, offers thanksgiving and praise to God for the long, rich and blessed life of Mr. Gideon G. Neth, dedicated servant of God, unswerving disciple of Christ, and faithful member of the church. 

The Hawaii Conference UCC also expresses its deepest condolences to, and offers prayers of comfort for, Mr. Neth’s family, including his dear wife, Patsihpa (Merlusi) Neth; their surviving daughters and sons (Nancy, Midion, Shelten, Dion, Sihna, Depohra, Derpihna, Mermy and Aminis); and all of the  grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Although Mr. Neth is now in God’s eternal care, we pray that his outstanding example and witness will continue to teach and inspire all citizens of Pohnpei and the United States.

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Dr. Rita Hocog Inos

Former PIBBA International President- 1993

Dr. Rita Hocog Inos, former PIBBA International President, died of cancer at the age of 55 on August 10, 2009. She began her career in education as a bilingual teacher at schools on Saipan and Rota in 1972. She later served as the principal of Rota Elementary School.

She served as PIBBA International President in 1993. During her reign as President, the 12^th Annual PIBBA Conference was held June 20-23, 1993 in Rota. The theme of the conference was Indigenous Languages and Acculturation in the Pacific.

She became the Director of Programs and Services at the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) from 1990 to 1994. She was promoted to the Deputy Director of the PREL Western Pacific Center from 1994 until 1998. She later became the chairperson of the PREL's board of directors from 2004 to 2006.

Dr. Inos served as the Education Commissioner of the Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands Public School System from June 1998 until December 2005. She wrote several scholarly and educational publications related to education in the Northern Mariana Islands, Micronesia and the Pacific. Her publications include Chamorro Elementary Grades Reading Books, Chamorro Grammar Workbook for Grades 4-8 and the PSS Bilingual Program.

Governor Benigno Fitial appointed Dr. Inos to the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents in February 2006. She served as the board's chairperson from June 2006 to July 2008.
Dr. Inos was also elected as a delegate from Rota in the Second Constitutional Convention of the Northern Mariana Islands in 1985. She was the chairwoman of the Constitutional Convention's committee on finance.

PIBBA International President, Rosa Salas Palomo, has fond memories of Dr. Inos. “We have lost a dear friend, and for me a dear sister. God bless you, i CHe'lu-hu, Rita,” Palomo said.

Source: PIBBA archive and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Inos

Enion Kalles

Former PIBBA International President - 1998

Enion Kalles served as PIBBA International President in 1998. During his reign as President, the 17^th Annual PIBBA Conference was held June 20-24, 1998 in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. The theme of the conference was Pacific Educators: Partnership in Teaching Cultures and Languages - Ri Jelalokjen in Aelon Kein: Jooj Di Jo'm Katakat ilo Katakin manit im Kajin.

Hanover Ehsa

Former PIBBA International President- 1994

Hanover Ehsa served as PIBBA International President in 1994. During his reign as President, the 13^th Annual PIBBA Conference was held June 14-16, 1994 in Pohnpei. The theme of the conference was The Pacific Family: Guardian of Our Languages and Cultures - Peneinei: Silepen Sapwelimatall Wahu Oh Mahsen.

Manuel "Manny" Villagomez

Former PIBBA International President - 1984

Member, NMI PIBBA Chapter

Manny Villagomez served as PIBBA International President in 1984. During his reign as President, the 4^th Annual PIBBA Conference was held April 23-27, 1984 in Rota. The theme of the conference was Language, Culture, and Education in the Pacific.

Lydia Cruz

Former President, PIBBA Guam Chapter

CHamoru Language Teacher

Adjunct CHamoru Language, UOG

"Lydia Cruz was always a gracious CHamorro lady," said Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, PIBBA International Historian. "She was unpretentious, yet serious in her study and understanding of CHamorro," he said. 

Dr. Sweeter Sachuo

Former Treasurer, PIBBA Guam Chapter

Associate Professor, UOG School of Education

Dr. Sachuo passed away on April 23, 2010 in Kosrae in the service of UOG-SOE and supporting his beloved FSM. Dr. Sachuo was the first person of Chuukese descent to serve on the SOE faculty. Over the years, he supported students from all walks of life, most especially students from the FSM, to whom he was a shining example of hard work and dedication. We extend to his dear wife, Kinnie Sachuo, also an adjunct faculty of SOE, our deepest and heartfelt condolences. Dr. Sachuo will be missed by all his PIBBA family, friends, students and colleagues at UOG.

Maria Teresita Cruz George

PIBBA, Guam Chapter Member

CHamoru Language Teacher, GDOE

"Maria was always a generous contributor to any of our fundraising activities," said Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, PIBBA International Historian. "She is famous for her coconut leave crafts- making birds, katupat, grasshopper, etc. Again, a gracious and generous Nana to our cause," Cruz said.

Francisco Olopai

Member, NMI PIBBA Chapter

Director, DOE/PSS Carolinian Bilingual Program

Dolores (Ling) Aldan Ichihara Marciano

Vice President, NMI PIBBA Chapter para Saipan

Retired Educator, Program Manager/Director for the DOE

PSS Chamorro Bilingual Program

Dolores "Ling" Marciano has written cultural books, and she is not only fluent in CHamorro but also in Carolinian.

"Ling was a most Nana or motherly person whomever she may have gotten in contact with," said Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, PIBBA International Historian. "Her demise was a lost for our people . Ling especially was almost always an attendee and presenter in our PIBBA Conferences," Cruz said.

Jesus Ayuyu Songsong

NMI PIBBA Chapter Member, Retired Educator, School Principal,
Rota High School
 "Jesus was a student of mine at the University of Guam. He is unpretentious yet a hard worker," said Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, PIBBA International Historian. "He impressed me with his passion for the good of the island and the children," Cruz said.