Manuela "Mannie" Sugars of Belmont, a longtime San Mateo County government employee, passed away Dec. 10 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 72.

Manuela Hiwahiwa Alohanani Sugars was born May 8, 1950, in Honolulu to Mililani Gonsalves and Kenneth Dickerson. After her mother's death in 1952, her father moved to Belmont, California in 1952 to attend Stanford Law School. Her grandparents, Sarah Apo Gonsalves and Manuel Gonsalves, packed up their life in Hawai'i and moved to Belmont with her in 1954, where they would help raise her.

She  graduated from Carlmont High School in 1968 and worked for Gap Inc. for nearly 20 years. She retired in November after working 21 years as an executive assistant for HSA for the County of San Mateo.

In 1975 she married Richard Sugars, with whom she shares daughters Sarah Sugars and Emily Sugars Tuupo, both of Belmont. Manuela died peacefully surrounded by family and close friends, including her beloved grandchildren Tupo Kaihohonu "Kai" and Kela Healani Tuupo and favorite son-in-law Tupo Tuupo. She is also survived by stepmother Janet Dickerson of Belmont, sisters Cristy Middleton (Steven Pacheco) of Redwood City and Lori Mayer (Peter Crevelli) of San Jose,  nieces Jenny Boos (Nick) and Jackie Govaars (Morgan) and nephews Erick Middleton (Ahn) and Kevin Middleton.

Manuela will be most remembered for her kindness, selflessness, empathy and gratitude toward others, and her love for her Hawaiian culture.  A timeless and seasoned hula dancer, she began studying at the age of 4 under her aunt, the renowned Ida Namanu'okawa'a Wong Gonsalves. As the daughter of longtime Belmont City Attorney Kenneth Dickerson, she developed a strong will and a passion to speak on what she believed in. She was an avid gardener and loved her flowers. A dedicated worker for Gap Inc and the County of San Mateo, longtime member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Carlos, beloved wife to her husband Richard of 47 years, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend,she loved her family and was considered a "mom" to so many.  But perhaps her most joyous role in this lifetime was as Tutu to her two mo'opuna, Kai and Kela, whom she loved unconditionally and cherished every day.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 12 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1106 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Carlos, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org .

Mannie illuminated this world with her light. She was soft and strong, and she meant the world to so many. She meant the world to us.