“Aunty Temu”
Afuvai Temukisa Malae of Aua, American Samoa completed her journey here on earth and joined our Father in Heaven on February 6, 2021, in Odgen, Utah. Temukisa was born to U'ulopaimoana Afuvai of Aua, American Samoa and Afuvai Tu’ipapa Siafolau Le'iato of Avaio & Fagaitua, American Samoa on October 11, 1952, in Fagaalu, American Samoa.
Temukisa was a graduate of McKinley High School in Honolulu, HI. She continued her education at American Samoa Community College where she received her associate degree. Her career began at the Attorney General's office in American Samoa before transferring to the High Court where she worked for 30+ years as a Court Clerk. She served her community with distinction and made some of her best friends while working at the High Court.
Temukisa was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and in the Aua, 1st Ward, Pago Stake in American Samoa. She served in the Young Women Auxiliary most of her life and held various callings in the Young Women program. This is where she became an Aunty to many through the love, support, and knowledge of the gospel that she so openly shared with others.
Her hobbies included singing and playing sports. She was a member of multiple choirs and sang lead alto. She had a beautiful voice and would sing at various functions, performing alongside her best friends. She also played multiple sports growing up. Temukisa especially had a love for softball, where she received multiple MVP awards. She was very athletic like her brothers, Sigafili, Filiki, and Kuni.
But more than anything, Temu loved to spend time with her mom and dad. She was a beloved daughter and cared for her parents until their passing. She especially loved their Sunday drives around the island, and they would never miss the chance to get ice cream in town. With the passing of her Father, Afuvai Siafolau Le’iato in 2017, Afuvai Temukisa Malae was named the Matai or Chief of her clan. She was first woman to hold the Matai title in the Afuvai Family. Afuvai Temukisa represented and served her Family honorably through strength, dignity, and love throughout her tenure.
Aunty Temu was heavily involved in her nieces/nephews' lives and became a second mom to all of us. We were blessed to learn many invaluable lessons during her 69 years here on earth. Of which was her favorite scripture from the Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5:48 - “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” An Aunty to many, she adamantly taught her nieces and nephews to strive for perfection and to do their best in everything. She taught us that although we may fall short, Christ will be pleased with our true efforts and we will one day reach perfection through our love of the Lord and by keeping His commandments.
Aunty Temu was a gift to all of us. She inspired us to become better people. She taught us to be a fighter like she was. She comforted us. She took the time to understand us. Most of all, Aunty Temu loved us unconditionally. Her greatest gift was her ability to make us feel that love every second she was with us. Aunty Temu's love of Christ was evident in the way she loved her family. We know her love will transcend the veil and continue to bless each of our lives.
She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Li'ava'a Mauga Afuvai (Aua & Pago Pago, AS) & Fa'asalataiaopo Noa Alo (Fagasa & Asili, AS), paternal grandparents Sala Pio Le'iato (Avaio & Fagaitua, AS) & Valelei Pa'au (Fitiuta, Manu'a). Her parents Afuvai Siafolau Le'iato & U’Ulopaimoana Afuvai- Le'iato (Aua, AS), brother Sigafili (Maraia) Malae Le'iato (Aua, AS), niece Tammy Malae (Aua, AS), nephew Tafe Ma'ae Jr (Ogden, UT), and niece Telesia Temukisa Uhatafe (Sandy, UT) and various aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her sister Eseta (Colin) Steadman (UT), brother Filiki Malae (UT), brother Kuni (Aremenda) Le'iato Jr (AS), brother Lasi (Malaefono) Le’iato (WA), brother Mati (Priscilla) Le’iato (WA), and Uncle Ma'i (Cheryl) Afuvai (HI).
All her nieces & nephews oldest to youngest: Rosie (Harry) Akeripa (UT), Sene (Chrissy) Ma'ae (UT), Leone Miller (GA), Eileen (Tai) Tyrell (WA), Marcus Ma'ae (UT), Jason Ma'ae (UT), Bethany (Robert) Toelupe (AS), Vincent (Uilani) Ma'ae (UT), Alan Malae (UT), Edward Ma'ae (UT), Tyson (Mysti) Malae (UT), Alayna (Brandon) Cressall (UT), Heather (Siaosi) Uhatafe (UT), Ashley (Alex) Nelson (UT), Dominic Le’iato (UT), Chantz Malae (UT), Charity Malae (OK), Patrick Le’iato (UT), Felagolagoma’i Le’iato (UT), Pio Le’iato (UT), Angellailah Le'iato (WA), Bryannah Le'iato (WA), Maximus Le'iato, (wa), Matthias Le'iato (wa), Matteus Le'iato (WA),Valelei Le’iato (AS).
Services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rod. (10600 S.), Sandy, UT 84092 on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 11am-12pm. Interment to follow directly after service at the same location.
*We respectfully request that all who are in attendance wear protective face coverings, maintain social distancing when possible, and please stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is. Thank you*
To view previously held services please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/aVbr-fHZqj3ndApuTeZz5028IzdET-te-C3dq8kB-_6buMnWbORulQza4HmAmfaC.DYVLOlj7EK4ct0ZI?startTime=1614448421000
My heart breaks for your loss. Your family has been through a lot. You are blessed with a loving family and a God who is always with you. May God bring you comfort and peace. Sending you hugs. Love you all!
Manuia lou malaga Temu. You are admired and adorned by us all. We love you.
So sadly to know that you have been gone so fast but it’s not our choice but God’s will,.RIL missed you🙏💕😘
My sincere sympathies to you and those close to Temu. May God bless and comfort you. With much alofas.
I am saddened to hear that my friend/sister Temukisa has passed. I had the privilege n treasured memories of working with her at the ASG Judicial Branch, the High Court of Am. Samoa for over 20years. I was the clerk for Chief Justice Kruse n she was the clerk for Associate Justice Richmond. She was a trusted co worker n we had our ups n downs BUT we had more happy, fun, working side by side days. Temu had a great sense of humor and she was also a hard worker, always trying her best to help anyone n everyone. We had great times, our court trips to Upolu n Savaii, our Xmas parties, singing n dancing at our office functions. I'd like to share a funny story with Temu. It was during the South Pacific Festival hosted in Pago Pago, everything was set up at Samoana Field, each country/island had a hut built to show their crafts, etc. Temu n I asked our supervisor if we could take our lunch together, we weren't busy. So we got the ok n we left, went in my Nissan p/up truck, got to Utulei beach it was packed but we found a parking space on the front side of the Fale Laumei, so I maneuvered the truck in there n we fit n both had enough room to squeeze out the door. Walked to where Temu was waiting n she punched me on my arm. I said OWW n she said let's go. We were crossing across to get to the fields n just as we started to cross, the group from the Solomon Islands walked alongside n I looked at their traditional wear n started to laugh, Temu looked to see what was funny n next thing I know, she's punching me all the way across. She was a good loyal friend. I admired her for her love for her parents, she did everything for them, sometimes she complains but she still does what they want. She knew that I understood n felt how she was taking care of her parents bc I did the same with my paternal grandmother, I took care of my Mama n Temu would sometimes cover for me at work when I had to do something for my Mama. I never forget the morning my Mama died, I was in court, we had started a trial n Temu comes in n gives a note to the Chief Justice, next thing i know we took a break n C.J. told me to go to the hospital right away, as I was leaving Temu came to me, hugged me n said, "loto tele" then she punched me on my arm n told me, now go.
So I vouch that her love taps (punches) were real, I got my share, but she did it with love.
Temu, my dearest Temu, ia manuia lou malaga. Rest in peace n love. You are in Paradise with your loved ones n if you see mine, give them hugs from me.
I love you Temu...always in my ♡
Alice
You will be missed but never forgotten. Your teachings and lectures will live on Faafetai for all you did and done for me growing up. Love you Cus aloofaaga le uma.