A standing-room-only crowd of more than 500 family members, friends, students and colleagues filled St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki yesterday to bid farewell to longtime Chaminade University president Mary Civille "Sue" Wesselkamper.

Wesselkamper, who guided the school from the brink of closure in the mid-1990s to a sustained period of growth and achievement, died Jan. 3 from cancer at age 66, leaving behind a legacy of strength and grace that was warmly celebrated during yesterday's hour-long service.

"It's said that leaders are one of two kinds," said longtime friend Charles Cotrell, president of St. Mary's University and a member of the Chaminade Board of Regents. "They're either people of great spiritual and intellectual ability, or they have great ability in the administration of people. She had both gifts."

Members of the university's Hawaiian, Samoan and Micronesian clubs wore bright red kihei, tied at the right as a sign of respect, as they bore Wesselkamper's plain wooden casket — dressed with traditional white pall and an arrangement of maile, anthurium and orchids — to the entrance of St. Patrick's Church. There, Laimana Bulosan's ceremonial chant gave way to the Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble singing "I'm On My Journey Home."

Several mourners wore pins bearing a picture of Wesselkamper and a ribbon in her favorite color — purple.

The most Rev. Larry Silva, bishop of Honolulu, presided over the Mass of the Resurrection.

Among those in attendance was University of Hawai'i-Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, whose friendship with Wesselkamper was based not just on what they shared as university administrators but as women who lived with cancer.

"We were part of the same informal group of cancer survivors and thrivers," Hinshaw said. "You kind of know what each person is going through and has gone through and it's important to support each other. I'm just sorry that we didn't have an answer for Sue soon enough."

Like many others who remembered Wesselkamper yesterday, Hinshaw said her friend had a personality that drew people near.

"She made people better," Hinshaw said. "When I think of Sue, my heart smiles because she had such a positive spirit."

Chaminade junior Ramon Lopez, 20, agreed. As a residence assistant, he was among student workers regularly invited to Wesselkamper's home.

"She was always very welcoming, very comforting," Lopez said. "All the students respected her because of what she did for our university."

When Wesselkamper arrived in 1995, becoming the first woman to head a four-year university in Hawai'i, she faced a $3.8 million operating debt, threats to the institution's accreditation, and a steady exodus of teachers.

In the 13 years since, Chaminade's academic standing has been affirmed, its enrollment has increased from 600 to 2,800, and its faculty rosters have nearly doubled. Wesselkamper also spearheaded an eight-year fundraising effort that brought in $66 million for campus upgrades.

Such accomplishment was no surprise to Wesselkamper's brother, the Rev. John Civille, who had seen her face far greater challenges.

He recalled the strength she and her husband, Thomas, demonstrated in dealing with the death of their 11-year-old son, Daniel.

Civille also remembered her determination to survive bile-duct cancer, with which she was diagnosed in 2005. He was there when she underwent high-risk surgery three years ago.

"Right before she went under, she quoted from the scriptures: 'Be stout hearted and wait for the Lord' — that was the faith that kept her moving," he said.

Former state Sen. Bob Hogue, who serves as commissioner of the NCAA Div. II Pacific West Conference, saw that faith and determination two months ago at the Maui Invitational.

"Despite the fact that her health was failing, she made it a point, even if she had to be carried, to come to the Chaminade games," Hogue said. "I'll always remember her wonderful smile."

Wesselkamper is survived by her husband, Thomas Wesselkamper, daughter, Suzanne; son, David; grandsons, Samson and Tomas Angel Wesselkamper; and brothers, John and Patrick Civille.