Tupou Tonga

Tupou Naeata Tonga, passed away peacefully in Independence, Missouri on November 16, 2016 at the age of 80 years old.

She is survived by her husband Paul Tonga; her children Tamasita (Motukia) Tevi, Nadine Tonga, Lynda (Shane) Pope, Rose (Sione) Fonua, Ben (Lavon) Tonga, Suliana Tonga, and Paul Tonga Jr. She is also survived by 25 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and her siblings, Tomu Naeata (Hawaii), Mosese Naeata (Tonga), Betsy Sanft (California), and Fakaola Sekona (California). She was preceded in death by her parents, Viliami and Ofa Kongaika Naeata, her brother Siosefa Naeata and, her sister Vika Toki.

Tupou was born on January 13, 1936 in Ha’alaufuli, Vavau in the Tonga Islands to Viliami and Ofa Kongaika Naeata. She is the oldest of seven children. She graduated from Liahona High School and meet her husband while she was an assistant teacher at Liahona Vocational School. She married her sweetheart, Paul Tonga, on January 25, 1962 in the LDS Temple in Hamilton New Zealand Temple. They were happily married for 54 years.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00pm on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 705 W. Walnut, Independence, MO 64050. Funeral services will be at 10:30am Monday, November 21, 2016 at the same location.

The family expresses appreciation to the many medical providers and caregivers who assisted in Tupou’s care. Special thanks to Saint Luke’s Home Care and Hospice staff who cared for our mother with much love, compassion and charity.