Malia Lauvale's Obituary
Malia Telesia "Uli" Iuli Suisala Tu'i-Lauvale, passed away on November 30, 2021, in Lakewood, WA, after being diagnosed with cancer a month after her 91st birthday.
On May 24, 1930, Malia was born in Manono, Samoa, where her father was a deacon although raised in Falefa, her mother's village, and her father's village of Safa'i Savaii.
She grew up in a devout Catholic family, with her father having been a permanent deacon. Because of her father's ministry, Malia received very little education and moved to different villages between Samoa and American Samoa. She was the apple of her father's eye, a daddy's girl, who adored her till he passed away in the 1960s.
Malia soon learned of her family business ties and traits in baking and sewing. Growing up with limited opportunities, she brought these skills to the United States; these pastimes led to a career as a seamstress, sewing skiwear for over thirty years. Mom loved fashion and, in her spare time, would sew for her family, especially island wear. She would make sure all her earrings, bracelets, and other jewelry matched her outfits. While she appreciated her life in the U.S, she always missed the life she left behind.
Malia met the love of her life, Niutunu (Evalu Lauvale), in Seattle, WA, where they married in 1967. Malia had four children, 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. True to their roots from Samoa and Am. Samoa, Mom, and Dad raised their two younger children in Seattle, surrounded by family and a church family pastored by Reverend Folasa Titialii, 1st Samoan Congregational Christian Church in South Seattle. Later, she moved to Dupont, then finally to Lakewood fifteen years ago.
As they say, you can take a girl from the island but never the island away from the girl. To Mom, there was no place like home. Mom also loved to travel, visiting her kids and grandkids over the years, either here in the U.S or Samoa. That was the life Mom lived; she loved seeing her hometown, her island of Samoa. We will genuinely miss her free-spirited personality, smile, laugh, and sometimes direct "no filter" words and sophisticated ways. While saddened by her sudden passing, she endured a steady decline in her health. Mom lived a whole long life of 91years. She was truly blessed.
A faithful servant of God, a strong spiritual woman in her Catholic faith, Malia ceaselessly supported her growing family with prayers. Our mom always prayed the rosary for her family, friends, and parish community. She was a member at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Lakewood, WA, where she met Fr Paul Brunet several years ago. Mom visited the Ft Lewis Samoan Protestant church in Lakewood, WA, pastored by Reverend Suipi Vaielua with relatives and friends.
Malia was a loving and humble parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent. If you knew her, you knew she was a prayer warrior. She was unendingly proud of all her children and grandchildren and of all the accomplishments, whether big or small, they made in life. Mom truly believed they were blessings from God.
Malia is survived by her three children, her daughter Pelenatete Pio, Samoa, her son Evalu Filitaula, Anchorage, AK, and her daughter, Lesa Ma'o, Lakewood, WA. Malia is preceded in death by her late husband, Niutunu (Evalu Lauvale), her oldest daughter, Surita Tanielu, her youngest great-granddaughter Imeleta Ma'o, her beloved parents, Suisala Pailate Emanuele & Pelenatete Tu'i, and five of her siblings.
Our family would like to thank everyone for their love and support, monetary and otherwise, especially prayers for our mother and grandmother during this time. Know that we are grateful to everyone and keep all of you in our prayers.
Malia's services will be on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 2:00 pm viewing, followed by a family service at Ft Lewis Samoan Congregational Church, Tacoma, WA. 98444. On Friday, January 7, 2022, the funeral Mass will be at her parish, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Lakewood, WA. 98499. The rosary will start at 10:00 am, followed by Mass at 11:00 am. Burial will occur at Mountain View Funeral home at 1:30 pm, and a reception will be at a separate location at 3:30 pm, TBA.
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