BETTE STILLWELL / 1927-2004

Volunteer promoted
Waioli Tea Room

Her parents were ministers for the Salvation Army. She met her husband at the nonprofit's summer Bible camp. And for more than 30 years, Bette Stillwell worked to further the organization's efforts in Hawaii and California.

Bette Stillwell: The Salvation Army stalwart was president of the Women's Auxiliary

The longtime volunteer and former president of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary in Honolulu, who was instrumental in getting the organization's Waioli Tea Room on the state and national registries of historic places, died Tuesday at her Kailua home after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was 77.

"She was just a very dedicated person, dedicated to helping anybody who needed help," said Jane Libby, Stillwell's longtime friend and fellow volunteer. "I would say that she was the longest, most dedicated Salvation Army volunteer that we have ever had."

Stillwell was born in Seattle and "grew up with that attitude of helping people," said her husband, Bob. "It was her whole makeup. ... Anybody who knew her loved her."

While living in Los Angeles, Stillwell held positions at several nonprofits. She was also president of the city's Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary. Shortly after moving to the islands, Stillwell was named president of the organization's women's auxiliary in Honolulu.

In 1978, she became manager of the Waioli Tea Room. Over the next six years, Stillwell worked to educate residents and visitors about the site and heighten its historical significance.

After stepping down as the tea room's manager, Stillwell continued to volunteer with the Salvation Army. In 1999, she published a book on the Waioli Tea Room called, "Come Back to Waioli."

"To get somebody who has the passion that Bette had is very, very difficult," Salvation Army Maj. Dave Hudson said. "Passion is something that you can't substitute."

Stillwell also served as charter president of Soroptimist International of Windward Oahu, president of the Honolulu chapter of Women in Communication and a member of the Metropolitan Rotary Club.

She is survived by husband Robert; sons Robert Jr., David, Daniel and Douglas; and four grandchildren.

Services are set for 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery in Kaneohe. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army's Territorial Stillwell Award or Soroptimist International of Windward Oahu. A memorial service will also be held at the Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle at 3 p.m. Oct. 3.