Taiana Seilala Vuna Obituary (1950 - 2020)

View Funeral Webcast Taiana Seilala Vuna (also known as “Aunty”, “Nana”, or “Lady Di”), passed away peacefully at home on November 23rd, 2020, surrounded by the children who she raised and called her own. She was 70 years old. Taiana was a loving daughter, sister, aunty, Nana, and friend to all. Taiana was born on January 19th, 1950 in Talafo’ou, Tonga to Kelepi and Sisilia (Tupou) ‘Ofahengaue. She was the second oldest out of 11 children. After finishing school at Queen Salote College, she attended and completed her training at the Teacher Training College and began working as a teacher in Tonga. She decided to further her education and started working in New Zealand. Taiana spent many years working, and because of her selfless personality, she gave up her life to take care of her parents, her siblings and their kids, and many other family members, friends and strangers. Later, she moved to Australia and continued to work to provide for her family and eventually, worked hard to send her siblings to Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In 1998, she moved to California and lived there for many years and built many lifelong, genuine friendships. She spent her final years with her younger brother and his family in Utah. Taiana was a compassionate, selfless, and giving person. She supported her family at home and family who lived overseas. She was a God-fearing woman and loved her home church, Falemaama United Methodist Church in Oakland, California and her brother’s congregation, the Tongan United Methodist Church in West Valley City, Utah. She had a strong belief in her faith and praised God until her last breath. She spent most of her life working as a caregiver and spread that love, empathy and selflessness on to her clients. Taiana did not have any biological children but she raised her siblings kids; Tonga, Silia, William, Jacintha, Sisilia, and Kelepi Jr. Everyone knew that these kids were her world, especially Will. Her love spread over to their children; Divine, ‘Etimani, Amaris, Grayson, and Tevita Jr and they miss their Nana dearly. Taiana was preceded in death by her father and mother, Kelepi and Sisilia, sisters; Sunguta and Takala’ipau, brother; Sisipueki, niece; ‘Ofa, and nephew; Tevita Jr. She is survived by her sisters; ‘Ilaisaane (Aust), Losehina (Calif.), and Nola (Calif.), and brothers; Soakai (Calif.), Rev. Tevita (Utah), Moana (Tonga), and Siosiua (Aust.), and many extended family members. Also, her best friends: Marianne, Letty, Moreen, and Virginia (Calif.) and many other friends. Taiana helped many people and she will be sorely missed by everyone. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah beginning at 9am. Services will also be live streamed.