Anita V. Hager

Hampton Falls - Anita V. Hager, 91 of Hampton Falls formerly of Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Anita was born on April 13, 1931 in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii. The eldest child of the late Leon B. Valencia and Juana Cristobal Runes. She graduated from Kauai High School with the Class of 1949, and went on to attend La Sierra College in Riverside, CA and later Columbia Union College in Tacoma Park, MD, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. During her time in Maryland, she met her husband through “pen pal” writing. She shared almost 50 years of marriage with Raymond David Hager, Jr. LCDR. Ret., who predeceased her in 2008. Together they lived from coast to coast until their move to Eliot, ME in 1975, where “Dave” later retired in 1979. Working as a Registered Nurse her entire career, first in Labor and Delivery and later in Geriatrics, all while raising her family. Surviving family members include her children, Nikki Lynn De Heart of Honolulu, HI; David Hager and his wife Tracy of Newfields; and Dean Hager and his wife Lisa of Hampton Falls, Hanai son, Dean Sacramed and his wife Charlene of Kapaa, HI; siblings, Modesta “Babe” Brunner of Virginia Beach, VA and Romolo Valencia and his wife Patricia of Honolulu, HI; grandchildren, Gabrielle and her father William, Christopher, Aaron, Austin and Katie; great grandson Temana; and many dear friends. Anita’s parents were originally from Ilocos Norte Philippines, and came to the island of Kauai in the late 1920’s for the opportunity to work on the Kilauea Sugar Plantation, as sugar plantations were growing in the Hawaiian Islands. Anita and her siblings were born and raised on the sugar plantation camp. All births were attended by the Midwife Rosa in the home. Juana (her mother) would say that the only time the doctor came to the home was to weigh the baby. Her parents embraced the culture of the islands, so Anita began dancing hula at the age of 4 years old. She was an accomplished musician in ukulele and piano, and entertained for gatherings and events in her community. She also attended Hongwanji school, where she learned to read, write and speak Japanese as a young child. She continued to share her talents at the schools of her children and grandchildren and special events held by her place of work. Her husband Dave would accompany her with his voice and musical skills, creating their own harmony and melody. Her parents were very industrious by providing transportation services with the first car, a Chevrolet 1940 converted to a truck, to outer towns; they washed clothes and prepared meals for the bachelors of the camp, and raised fighting cocks that were ordered from Kentucky, with Anita making the orders due to her parents limited English. Her parents, Leon and Juana, were able to send all three children to college, along with her two siblings to private school on Oahu. Anita’s nursing career in New England, started with Goodwin’s of Exeter, where she enjoyed taking care of the aging population. She initiated a certification program to train nurses aides in her work place, where she also had the authority as an RN to pronouncement and sign the death certificate. Anita lived on Kauai from 2009-2017 after the death of her husband to fulfill their dreams of retiring on her home island. Her daughter Nikki lived on Oahu and provided resource and support to her independent living. She moved back to New England in 2017 to live with her #2 son Dean and his wife Lisa along with Xavier “Xie” (Hanai grandson), as her health warranted closer attention. Having her #1 son David and wife Tracy living close by, provided added supportive care to Anita. Anita’s love of music and hula carried through to her passing as she sang Aloha O’e to all friends and new acquaintances wherever and whenever the opportunity of singing arose. To her family, she would say “I love you “ in Ilocano “Ay-ayaten ka”. She stated her philosophy of life with the French phrase of “C’est la vie” with a friendly wave of her hand and a smile. Her children Nikki, David and Dean and family wish to thank Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Penacook Place (Haverhill), Exeter Hospital, Martin’s Point and Cornerstone at Hampton, for the care, resource, and compassionate support that was provided to our mother, Anita Cristobal Valencia Hager. Visiting hours will be held from 4-6 PM on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association by clicking here in honor of Anita Valencia Hager. Nikki, David and Dean encourage you to share your thoughts of love and stories of Anita on her tribute wall. Mahalo Nui Me Ke Aloha a Me Ke Pumehana (Thank you very much with love and warmth)

Anita V. Hager

April 13, 1931 - July 14, 2022