Octogenarian celebrates her birthday

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 October 2017, 12:00AM

It was a day of celebration and thanksgiving for the Faaui Family at the Tanoa Tusitala last week.

It was a day where they all gathered together to give thanks to the Heavenly Father for their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who celebrated her 80th birthday.

Maria Pepe Faaui was born on the 16th of September, 1937.

She hails from the village of Levi, Saleimoa and she was married to the late Papa Faaui Gogo.

Together they have ten children.

Rev. Elder Isaako Viki of the Congregational Christian Church at Levi, Saleimoa conducted a church service on her special day.

He told the gathering that the secret behind Mrs. Fa’aiu’s long life was happiness and living healthy.

“Today is a day of thanksgiving,” he said.

“It is a day of celebration because Pepe has reached another milestone of her life. This is a sign that God has blessed her in many ways.

“Pepe is a strong woman and we can see it because she looks after herself by eating healthily, moving around doing her normal chores and especially by serving God through church commitments.

“This is a lesson for us all to learn from if we want to reach these many years. We ought to look after ourselves by living a healthy lifestyle.”

Maria’s youngest son, Atapana Faaui describes their mother as a humble person.

“Mom is the eldest person within the church,” he told the Sunday Samoan.

“Her birthday was actually on the 16th September, however it was one of my brother’s wedding on that day, hence why we are celebrating it today.

“It’s just a small celebration with her children, her church minister and especially the Mafutaga Tina because this is where she serves the Lord.

“Our mother is a very loveable person. If you ask anyone within the church, they will tell you.

“Bottom line for all of this is, she is a servant of God. We all reside overseas and we know what makes her happy and that is her bingo and church commitments.

“As long as she does those two things, she is happy.

“What we are doing today is nothing compared to all the things that she had done for all of us. We owe her so much and for as long as she lives we will forever be grateful to God for giving her to us.”

“Happy Birthday mom!”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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