Lois Lee Palaima (b. June 10, 1954) of Lawai, Hawaii passed away on December 3, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Lois was born to parents John and Marie Palaima and raised in Marlborough, Massachusetts. After graduating from Marlborough High School in 1972 she spent time living in Texas and Kentucky, then fell in love with the beautiful island of Kauai while visiting her sister Lauria who had moved there, and decided to make it her forever home.

She is survived by her loving husband Steven Burnau, her brother Edward, sisters Lauria, Marie, and Karen, nieces, nephews, and an abundance of friends.

Lois was one of the most genuine souls you could ever meet. She never wavered from the things that she loved. She enjoyed friendly competition almost as much as basking in the sun at the beach, and took her golf tournaments and card games very seriously. The only time she would ever break her infectious smile was if she deemed her game opponent unworthy.

She loathed modern technology and cell phones, yet was always the first person to call you on your birthday. Anytime friends or family would come to visit, she would drop everything to spend as much time as she possibly could with them. She had a roaring infectious laugh that would shake her entire body, and had the most amazing ability to find joy and gratitude even during the hardest of times. She was fiercely loyal and fiercely loving, and never let anyone close to her forget how much she cared about them.

She passed peacefully amidst the bright sun and sounds of the ocean, with her all time favorite musician Cat Stevens echoing in the background, surrounded by people that loved her.

The world is less bright without Lois in it, but her soul and her love will live in our hearts forever… she’s too stubborn to have it any other way.

A Celebration of Life was held by local friends and family in Poipu, Kauai, Hawai on February 17th, 2026. It would have been Lois and Steve's 30th wedding anniversary.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/lois-palaima/obituary/

Copy