The life of Leataataoletaeao “Shaddow” Fau was remembered during a beautiful celebration held on Wednesday, before her body was lowered to her final resting place at sunset.

The celebration, attended by families, friends, colleagues – some of them having travelled from aboard - was held at her Sa'aga family's homestead in Malua.

But her final service was not your typical funeral.

There was lots of music, dancing, and laughter and of course tears, as her friends and relatives reminisced about a person who was the "life of the party."

One of Shaddow's many best friends, Carmel Moore, said their “sisterhood of close friends” all revolved around this "beautiful soul."

"Shaddow was our 'sistrana',” she said.

“She was special to so many people, loved by everyone who knew her. She was always the life of the party, enjoyed her social life, lived her life to the fullest and probably even one of the few people I know that was true to herself. She never wanted to be anything other than what she was.

"She was a beautiful person, she certainly made life colorful for all her friends and family. Life is certainly not gonna be the same without her.”

Asked how she would remember her, Ms. Moore said: "Shadow surrounded by her friends, glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other, laughing and enjoying, she loved life, always."

Shaddow's younger sister, Roseanne Hoda, said her sister has left behind memories and experiences that have shaped who she is today.

She said Shaddow was like her second mother.

"Shadow's love also came when she would okegia (scolded) me and God knows I [needed] that back then.

"She would at times, when I was cheeky and naughty, discipline me, [to which] I affectionately called her 'Sa’aga face', she would look at me sternly, this was when she would show her Sa’aga face and in the later years I would tease her about it and would always serve to break the ice or crack a smile that would end up in a loving embrace.”

She also said Shaddow was the "consummate tausala" of the family, who took pride in her looks and Samoan heritage.

Va’atuitui Apete Meredith, Shaddow's second cousin, said she was a sister to everyone who needed her.

"She was more than a sister; she was a sister to everyone. She was just somebody who wouldn’t say no to anyone. Very family-oriented, she will always try, even if she doesn’t have much, like a fine mat or something; she will bring something.

"She would help anyone and everyone. You see that smile, that’s a typical Shaddow, that’s how she lived life; with a smile and sharing and loving.

"That’s how she was, yet she wasn’t married, she was on her own but she was like that, she would go out of her way to help people too, those are in distress and needed help.”

Shaddow's Sa'aga family organised a marquee with lots of refreshments and a bar with a live band and DJ, for families and friends to come together and celebrate the life they were "very fortunate" to have in their lives.

"Shaddow has always been a very positive person,” said Tosi Tupua. “You would never hear Shadow say anything negative about anybody, so that sets her apart from everybody.

"Apart from the fact that Shaddow is always the life of the party wherever you go, and everyone knows Shaddow, so it is a great thing that we are here to celebrate Shadow’s life.

“It’s a life worth celebrating and we’re very fortunate she was in our lives and we will continue to miss her for the years to come."