Mary Louise Jeffrey Akaka, wife of the late Rev. Abraham Kahikina Akaka and a longtime community volunteer, died Saturday of heart failure. She was 85.

Akaka, born in Denver, raised five children while supporting her husband and his efforts to help the community through the church. Her husband, the brother of U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, was kahu at Kawaiaha'o Church for 27 years. He died in 1997.

Mary Louise Akaka's son, Jeffrey, said his mother was comfortable with everyone, and was always helping others.

"She treated everyone she met with elegance," he said.

Akaka, an avid athlete, met her future husband at Cheley Colorado Camp, where the two were counselors. Jeffrey Akaka said his father would serenade his mother at camp, showing off his voice and his skills on the 'ukulele. Once the summer was over, the two continued to correspond and Abraham Akaka eventually proposed.

They married in 1944, after Mary Louise had graduated from college in New York and jumped on a warship on the West Coast to get to the Islands, her son said.

Jeffrey Akaka said his mother provided unwavering support to her husband and children throughout her long life. She also believed very strongly in helping her community. One of her many accomplishments was getting Kawaiaha'o Church designated as a National Historic Landmark.

"She rose and stepped up to the plate, no matter what," Jeffrey Akaka said.

Mary Louise Akaka is survived by children Fenner Shupe, Pualani Akaka, Sally Truong, Sandy Akaka and Jeffrey Akaka, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and cousins.

A public memorial service is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at Kawaiaha'o Church. A private inurnment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Rev. Abraham Kahu Akaka Ministries Foundation, 2825 S. King St., Suite 3401, Honolulu, HI 96826.