Mele Tuakalau

Mele ‘Olive Tu’akalau
February 24, 1933 – September 1, 2022

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister Mele ‘Olive Tu’akalau slipped away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday evening September 1, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones at home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

She was born on February 24, 1933, to Ma’u Si’i Tu’iono Ma’umalanga and Kalolaine Atilia Salote UateKini in Tatakamotonga Mu’a, Tongatapu, Tonga.

On May 5th, 1954, she married her eternal companion Tevita Kata Tu’akalau in Nuku’alofa, Tonga and later solemnized at the New Zealand Temple, October 23, 1967.

She is survived by 5 of her 10 children and their spouses: Amelia Vaokakala Vanisi, Viliami Tu’akalau (Valenisia), Seli Tu’akalau (Asinate), (Lotomo’ua Tu’akalau), (Uinise Tu’akalau), Tuitokaloto Tu’itupou (Amanaki), Pulonga’a Tonga Peterson (Monson), 42 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, and 2 sisters Siokapesi Mafile’o Vaka’uta, and ‘Atilila Vuna.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Tevita Kata Tu’akalau), and 5 children: Lelea Kivailahi, Taumoefolau, Luana Leihua, Mafitea, Sepiuta Siu’ima’una.

Mele Olive, was the first and longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in her whole family, and together with her husband served seven full-time missions for the Church in Ha’apai, Vava’u, Tonga, Niue, and Salt Lake City, Utah. She also served in several church callings throughout her life but enjoyed being a mother and grandmother the most.

Folau aa si’emau fa’e fita mo ‘ofeinaa, hoihoifua mo kaataki lahi faka’uliaa. Kuo si’i lava lelei ‘a si’o fakapuepuee, pea moho fatongia foki ki ho’o faanau pelee. He ‘ikai teke ngalo ‘iate kimautolu ‘o a’u ki he’emau matee.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Riverside 2nd Tongan Ward at 660 North Redwood Road Salt Lake City, Utah 84116. Bishop services will follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 South Redwood Rd., West Jordan, Utah.

Fie ‘oatu heni ‘a ‘emau fakamaloo loto hounga’ia mo’oni ki he ngaahi famili, ngaahi maheni, si’i kaingalotu mo e ngaahi kaungaame’a mamae kotoa pee ne mou si’i tokoni mai ki he fine’eikii ‘ihe’ene mo’uii kotoa ‘o a’u aipee ki si’ene maalooloo.
‘Ofa ke nofo’ia ‘a e ngaahi tapuaki ‘ofa mo e melino ‘a e ‘Eikii ‘i ho’o mou mo’ui meihe ‘aho ni ‘o fai atu. Fakamaloo mo e Faka’apa’apa Lahi Atu, meia tekimautolu hono kotoa, Famili Tu’akalau.