Ritva Sinikka Hayasaka Strand, a retired professor of linguistics and "president emeritus" of the University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly, will be remembered for her leadership and decades of service to improving higher education standards in Hawai'i.

Hayasaka Strand died of a heart attack Dec. 20 in Florida. She was 65.

"Sinikka's major contribution was she gave a perspective on higher education in Hawai'i that was inclusive (of all UH and community college campuses)," said J.N. Musto, UHPA executive director. "Her thinking was what are the things that bring us together as faculty and members of the UH community whereas today, some people's thinking is what separates us.

"She was extraordinary," Musto added, noting Hayasaka Strand's efforts in bringing UHPA and the Hawai'i State Teachers Association together. "It took a lot of work to give perspective to education K through 21."

Hayasaka Strand, a former beauty queen who married retired Navy Capt. Richard C. Strand in September, attended schools in her native Finland, England, Baltimore, Md., and Hawai'i. She earned degrees from the University of Helsinki and UH-Manoa, and was fluent in Finnish, Japanese, English, Swedish, German and Spanish.

Hayasaka Strand was an active National Education Association leader and received dozens of national and local and academic community awards. She was honored twice with the Hawai'i State Legislature's excellence in teaching award. Hayasaka Strand was a Hawai'i Public Employees Health Fund trustee and member of the UHPA board of directors from 1979 until early last year.

During her 39 years in the University of Hawai'i system, Hayasaka Strand also served as acting provost at Leeward Community College, and acting dean and chair of the Leeward Language Arts Division.

"Her decades-long work helped shape the the University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly into a modern public sector union," UHPA associate executive director John Radcliffe said of Hayasaka Strand, who served as the union's president for six years. "... A member of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, she was recognized internationally as a expert in the field of professional teaching standards."

Radcliffe also said that throughout her distinguished career, Hayasaka Strand "derived great satisfaction in successfully mentoring junior faculty (at UH)."

Former UHPA president and regent Byron Bender was Hayasaka Strand's graduate adviser at UH. She had come to Hawai'i to promote the opening of Air Finland's new route to Japan and decided to stay.

"She was savvy, thought big and understood what was going on," Bender said. "During the six years she was (UHPA) president, she attended 99 percent of all regent meetings."

James Satoshi Hayasaka said his mother had a no-nonsense approach but enjoyed working and helping people.

"Her focus was education and she liked politics," Hayasaka noted. "She knew how teachers worked, she knew how politicians worked and understood they didn't see eye to eye. She really cared about the people rather than the UH system."

Rebecca Hayasaka will remember her mother as someone who "helped countless people and never expected anything in return."

"Her death was shocking and surprising but she was happy to the end," Rebecca Hayasaka said. "She had a full, amazing and diversified life."

Survivors also include daughter Mavis Aiu of Kaua'i.

A memorial service in Ho-nolulu is being planned for late January, the family said. Details will be announced later.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.