Felili Effie Faleafine's Obituary
Felili Effie Dean Paogofie Faleafine left this world on October 11, 2020, after 96 years of a life full of love and family. She gave birth to 13 children, 12 survived, who went on to have 95 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren combined. Born in Aunu’u Island, American Samoa on May 13, 1924 to Muaina Paogofie Jack and Henry Dean. She was the eldest of 9 children. She grew up in Pavai’ai and settled in Iliili where she and her husband Lui Fuga Faleafine established their family home.
Felili Faleafine devoted her life to the raising of her children and their progeny, always mindful of her first duty: to love our Lord and Savior. A woman full of grace and virtue, no one who knew her could doubt the depth of her faith in God, for His goodness resounded in all that she did.
She epitomized Samoan culture and was truly the quintessential definition of a Samoan woman - a lifetime of laboring tirelessly in love and faith to help her family, friends, church, community and country with love, generosity, and grace. Her life and stories will be told for generations to come and her memory will live on forever in our hearts.
Felili is survived by her Children: Lilieni Fedler, Winona Bridgewater, Juliet Lalau, Lui (Lori) Faleafine Jr., Elizabeth (Marcos) Rincon, Sarah Faleafine, Paulo (Rhonda) Faleafine, Lydia (Peter) Faleafine-Nomura, Robert (Jill) Faleafine, and Samuelu (Rosemary) Faleafine, Daughter-in-law, Leetha Faleafine, Son-in-law, Solo Solo, Grandchildren: Steven Fedler, Cynthia McAdams, Sisifo Faleafine Jr., Kaleinani Lee, Shareen Dumlao, Asulu Faleafine, Maricia Effie McLendon, Victor Chanel II, L.J. Solo, Troy Nobriga, Winona Casanova, Scott Nobriga, Tefoa Lalau, Mamo-Lei Faleafine, Penina Faleafine, Kanoelani Faleafine, Felili Meisenheimer, Melisa Gilvey, Maria Rincon, Michelle Stroman, Paulo Faleafine Jr., Puafuatausaga Mydori Nomura, Lelalelei Faleafine Nomura, Cher Pelesia Nomura, Shareen Corlett, Shannon Faleafine, Kayla Lee, Robert Faleafine Jr., Jeremiah Faleafine, Sarah Faleafine, Samuel Faleafine Jr., Joshua Faleafine, Isabella Faleafine, and Jacob Faleafine, 46 Great-grandchildren and 13 Great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Va’asa Fonoti Palega, Emeleta Peo Hoopi'i and Nia Peo Domen.
Felili was preceded in death by her Husband, in addition to her Sons, Lalofutu Faleafine and Sisifo Faleafine, her Daughter, Asulu Faleafine-Solo, Son-in-law, Jerry Lalau, Grandsons: Lui Faleafine III and Peter Quinn Faleafine-Nomura, Great-Grandchildren: Kruze L. Kuaea and Lily McAdams, and Brothers: Tautalaga Fonoti, Fiapoto Fonoti and Sisters: Tofuola Fonoti Simanu, Talosaga Fonoti Nunu and Sauiafa Fonoti So’oto.
To know her is to see the face of God and love at work. She was gifted to us from Him for 96 glorious years, and now is at home with her Father. She will be buried at her home in Iliili with her beloved husband Lui Fuga Faleafine.
Our mom was the living embodiment of all that was good in life and good in us. We loved her deeply and will miss her dearly. Her words will remain with us always. “Manatua le Aiga outou le fanau. Ia outou nonofo fealofani. Tausi le tasi le tasi. Ae sili le alofa i le Ali’i. Until we meet again, Mom.
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