The joy. The complexity. The wonder. Such is family life: A continual series of emotions that bind us to one another. Each relationship is unique; each family core special. Today, the Star-Bulletin starts a series profiling Hawaii families each Sunday. Particularly poignant in these times, we explore the ties that define family, and the love that keeps us together.

Love, faith cure
family’s ailments

Medical adversities fail to
defeat the Weaver family spirit

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Medical problems have haunted the Weaver family for decades. But religion and their love for one another helped family members overcome ailments.

"I don't think I could put a value on it," said Michael Weaver.

Pictures of weddings and graduations decorate the walls of Verna Weaver's home in Kailua. The closeness of the family comes out in a black-and-white photo of Verna's children -- Michael, Claire, Monica, Jenifer and twins Shari and Patrick -- as they stood on a rock wall at Bellows Beach, where they spent every summer during childhood.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM The Weaver clan got together Wednesday in the family's Maunawili living room. As some chatted, Rachel Weaver, bottom left, played peek-a-boo with Jaina Leese Garcia, being carried by Zoe Woods.

"We all consider ourselves best friends for each other," said Michael Weaver.

Four generations of Weavers burst into laughter as they highlighted happy moments and fell silent when serious issues were discussed. There are 18 family members in Hawaii: a grandmother, her five children, three spouses, a hanai child, six grandchildren, a hanai grandchild and a great-grandchild.

The patriarch of the Weaver family, Jerome Weaver, suffered from diabetes and complications with his heart and kidneys. His grandson was diagnosed with leukemia at age 4, and one of his daughters suffered from a genetic kidney disease.

In 1998, Jerome Weaver had his right leg amputated below the knee, and family members took turns taking him to rehabilitation sessions to the point he was able to get around. Then in August 1998, he was told he had an enlarged heart and didn't have long to live. He said, "I'm ready to go." He died three days later at age 70.

In 1985, Michael Weaver's 4-year-old son Benjamin was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. After receiving treatment for three years, he suffered a relapse. A relative ran a fund-raiser to help pay for medical expenses where nearly $17,000 was raised from the community.

Michael said he and his wife, Cecelia, received the support from his parents, brothers and sisters to help take care of their two other children, Anna and Ryan. "Everybody pitched in," said sister Claire Woods.

COURTESY OF THE WEAVER FAMILY The children of Jerome and Verna Weaver enjoyed a day at the beach at Bellows Air Force Base in the summer of 1963. They were, from left, Michael, 13; Claire, 12; Jenifer, 8; Monica, 6; and twins Shari and Pat.

Benjamin, now 20, has been in remission since he was 14 and visits the hospital for annual checkups. He attends the University of Notre Dame and is majoring in architecture.

In 1999, the Weavers were faced with another scare: Claire Woods suffered from polycystic kidneys, a genetic disease. Four out of six children in the Weaver family are diagnosed with the same disease. Shari Walker, a sister, donated one of her kidneys to Claire after she was determined to be the best match. Since the transplant, Woods, program administrator for the Salvation Army, has remained healthy.

The children's parents, Verna and Jerome Weaver, have been the foundation of the family, said Jenifer Giovanetti, one of the siblings.

Jerome Weaver taught his children to always have a sense of humor. "He told us: 'You have to live with laughter. You can't let anything get to you,' " added Giovanetti.

"He reminded all of us you should always take care of each other," Michael Weaver said. "In the end, that's the most important thing."

Last week, the family spent two hours at his gravesite at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.

Instead of bringing flowers, cans of Miller beer and candy corn were placed next to his grave. Often, members of the family still can smell the tobacco from their father's pipe linger in the house.

Catholicism also played a vital role for the Weavers. In 1982, Jerome was ordained as a deacon. Michael is now principal of Damien Memorial High School, a Catholic school. All children and grandchildren also attended Catholic schools.

Having a reputation of being devout Catholics, an usher asked Michael Weaver if he can set up the altar during a Christmas Eve Mass at St. Anthony's Church three years ago. After telling the usher he did not know how to set it up, she said, "You have to know that, you're a Weaver."

The Weavers find every moment to spend time together such as tailgating at University of Hawaii football games, hiking in Haleakala and shopping at Wal-Mart.

Unconditional support for others have extended outside the bloodlines. Hanai sister Susan Milonas spent 14 years with the Weaver family after meeting Jenifer at Kapiolani Medical Center. Since then, they've been like sisters. A mock adoption proceeding was held to welcome Susan and her daughter Laura to the family.

"We grew up in a home that was always welcoming," said Claire Woods.