Sister Malia Kao

When Communists took over mainland China in 1949, Sister Malia Kao, SDS came to the U.S., just a year after making her first vows. Leaving her homeland was hard, but Sr. Malia found support in the small group of Salvatorian Sisters who emigrated together. In 1952, Sr. Malia went to help out for eight days at St. Savior Hospital in Portage, Wis. It turned into nine years of service, eventually as a certified lab technician. She has fond memories of being warmly welcomed in Portage by our Sisters and the medical staff. After becoming an American citizen in 1961, Sr. Malia was asked to serve in Formosa, now Taiwan. Knowing the language enabled her to jump right into pastoral work, home visiting and catechizing. Three years later, she was overseeing kindergarten programs at five Salvatorian parishes there, a ministry that lasted nearly 30 years. After an active and generous life of service, Sr. Malia returned to the U.S. in 1996. Sister Malia celebrated 65 years with the Sisters of the Divine Savior in 2013. Sr. Malia passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2016