Nuanua o le Alofa mourns passing of Louise Leuauanae

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 22 August 2018, 12:00AM

Nuanua o le Alofa (N.O.L.A.) is mourning the sudden passing away of one of its members, Louise Tasileta Leauanae.

Louise was 45 when she died last Thursday.

She was one of the founding members of N.O.L.A. when the organisation was first established in 2001. She was also the first Treasurer of the organization.

Office Manager of N.O.L.A., Mata’afa Faatino Utumapu, spoke highly of Louise during her time with N.O.L.A. 

“When Louise first started here, she was working as the Marketing Officer of Polynesian Airlines,” Mata’afa said. 

“She came at a very difficult time here in N.O.L.A. and she came here as an Assistant Coordinator in 2006 when we were looking for someone to help out in the work at the time.”

“We could only offer a little at the time because the organisation had just started. It was not the same as what she was getting at the Polynesian Airlines in terms of salary, but she gave it all up just to come and serve the people with disabilities.”

Mata’afa said Louise dedicated all her life to supporting all the people like her.

“She is remembered with so many things, she loves her family and she served her family with so much love,” said Mata’afa.

“Not only to her own family, but to all the staff here at N.O.L.A. whatever happens to the families of the staff members she would be the one to help out.”

“She was a very respectful person, she respects everyone here in the office and everyone here respects her as well.”

Louise was a Programme Coordinator of N.O.L.A. when she passed away. 

“She had a very special group that she loves working with in N.O.L.A. and that is the blind people’s group,” said Mata’afa.

“She’s dearly missed in that group, even though she has to work neutrally, she has a special place for the people who are blind. Even with her children, every time they come here they love working with people who are blind.”

The 45-year-old looked after her own family and she raised her sibling’s children who had passed away.

 “She put them through school, her eldest is 30 years old and her youngest is 11 years old. She loves our children as well she treats them as they are her own children.”

Mata’afa said Louise is sorely missed in their office.

“We admire her hard work and her service in the N.O.L.A. organization and regardless of her disability, it did not stop her from doing great things for her and her family,” she said.

“She was still at work and that is a great example of someone who has a purpose in life. She did not rely on anyone, she worked hard to ensure that her family survives.”

“She was an independent woman despite of her disability and that is why she is sorely missed. She left but she surely laid a pathway for her children and her grandchildren.”

Louise’s final service will be held next week Wednesday.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 22 August 2018, 12:00AM

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