A 98-year-old Rosie the Riveter who participated in the 81st commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor is crediting her neighbor with saving her life when hurricane wind-whipped fires destroyed historic Lahaina on Maui.
Lucille "Cille" MacDonald's home on Front Street was among the hundreds of Lahaina structures destroyed Tuesday, according to MacDonald's close friend Dodo Dunaj.
"Her neighbor Ben Watts saved her life, barely getting her in his truck when he saw a giant wave of flames," Dunaj told Pacific Historic Parks in a phone interview. "She left with the clothes on her back, her purse, and her gardening shoes and that was it. Before you know it, her house was gone, his house was gone, everything was just a disaster. Her daughter and her grandson were in another home and they lost everything as well.”
They evacuated to the Maui Prep School and are now staying with friends.
MacDonald and four other Rosies attended the Pearl Harbor week events this past December.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, MacDonald grew up on a farm picking cotton. In 1942 she landed a job as a welder, building ships in Georgia. It was dangerous work, as she suffered from burns including one that turned into cancer. She beat that, and in 1945 met her husband who was drafted and sent to Japan. They had three children and lived and traveled all over.
In 1974 she moved to Maui where she became an instrumental part of the community, helping build a fire station in Napili, donating to multiple charities and becoming known as Maui's "unofficial" Mayor.
"She is the most remarkable woman I have ever known in my life," Dunaj said. "What she has lived through her entire life is unbelievable, tenfold what most people go through."
Dunaj is flying to Hawaii to assist her friend in the difficult days and weeks ahead.
Sending our thoughts and prayers to Cille, Ben, and all those affected by the devastating Maui fires.
#Maui #MauiHawaii #prayformaui #ohana #mauifires #mauistrong #hawaiiwildfires #PacificHistoricParks #Lahaina #Rosie #rosietheriveter
My family has known Cille for over 60 years. In fact, I babysat her children (Tommy was the most rambunctious 😱). Most recently, Cille invited My husband and I to stay at her home and enjoy historical Lahaina first hand. I cry with tears of joy knowing my dearest friend is safe, along with her daughter Chris and grandson. I’ll keep calling her and Chris so I can hear their voices. Cell service is nonexistent right now and we’re waiting for the Red Cross to touch bases with her on our behalf. Thank you Lord for keeping Cille and family safe!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Great grandmas best friend we been looking all over for information! Thank you for sharing
