Mele Tonga Vatuvei Fonua Obituary (1963 - 2021)

I, Mele Tonga Vatuvei Fonua was born June 20, 1963 in Ha’ateiho Tonga Tapu to my loving parents Sifa Vatuvei and Atelaite Fatai Kalamafoni. Towards the end of my life, when my struggle with kidney failure took the use of my body and also my mind, I didn’t want someone else to write my obituary (also because “nobody tells Mele what to do!”). I was the oldest of 8 children and took great pride in protecting and caring for my siblings. My family migrated to Laie, Hawaii when I was quite young, lived there until I was twelve years old and then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. There I attended West High School and after graduating, was called to serve an LDS Mission in the Nukualofa Tonga mission for 18 months which I thoroughly enjoyed. Upon returning to Salt Lake City, I met the love of my life, Siosifa Ngaluma’a Fonua (Sifa). We were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple April 23, 1983. I fell in love with his unselfish nature and amazing ability to be a teacher within our family and to others. Sifa and I were married for 14 years before our boys, Filosiliva Maikeli Fonua and Myles Fine Fonua were born. They are my pride and joy and I feel beyond blessed to be their mother. I often spoke of the story of how we received these bundles of joy to anyone that would listen and always felt I was highly favored of the Lord, that he would trust Sifa and I with two of his most beautiful and precious children. We were sealed together as a family in 2004 and we couldn’t imagine a life without them. I was a member of the Parkview Ward in the Salt Lake Utah stake of the LDS church. I worked in many callings within the church, but my favorite was being the primary chorister. Although I wasn’t very good at singing, I absolutely loved the children. There’s something so sacred and special with those little ones. I also enjoyed being the bishop’s wife as it allowed me to grow spiritually in ways I never imagined as well as see my sweet husband do the same. During this time, we were blessed to be able to make so many long lasting friendships that I will always treasure. As for the simple pleasures in life, I loved drinking Coke-a-Cola, singing, reading, nightly talks with my Sifa, car ride conversations, trips to Lake Powell and watching my boys grow and flourish. I worked for many years in the banking world and finished my career at Bank of Utah. I want to send a special thank you to my friends there for helping me and employing me, before and during my illness. I know it was difficult for you all but I really appreciated your support. I also have to thank all of my friends at my Dialysis center for the professional way you took care of me. I want to thank my husband Sifa, for the tireless and loving ways he took care of me. He was both the mother and father at home. He went to work at 4:00 am, came home, took care of me and still fulfilled his church responsibilities. Between him and the boys, I was loved and cared for a great deal. I thank my Father in Heaven for giving me such good men who loved me immensely and honored their priesthood. My Sifa loved the Lord more than he loves me which made our family life a joy and because of the Great Plan of Happiness, I know we will be together as a family on the other side. I am survived in death by all my siblings and all their children, who brought so much joy to my life; Meliame Vatuvei, Penina White, Filosiliva Ta’e’iloa Vatuvei (Alisa), Epalahame Mafi Vatuvei (Lesieli), Samuela Talikavili Vatuvei (Amoniata), David Gerber (Jodie), Suntesi Fusiloa ‘Unga. I love each and every one of you. I also am preceded in death by my parents Sifa and Fatai. So long for now family. I love you Sifa, Fine, and Liva. Be happy and do the right things so we can be together again. Funeral Services will be held April 13, 2021, 12:00 pm, at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary located at 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah. Prior to the service a viewing will be held from 8:30-11:30am.