Dec. 3, 1969-June 27, 2024
Ulukilupetea “Tea” Akosita Fakahua Nio, age 54, of Ivins, Utah passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024, in the St. George Regional Medical Center with her beloved family by her side.
Born on Dec. 3, 1969 to Latu Vava’u Finau and Malakai Pua Fakahua, Tea lived a full and eventful young life in San Bruno, California, with her three siblings and many aunties, uncles and friends. Tea’s cousins Latu, Keleane, Anna, Palu, Fehi and Veiongo Finau, Moapa Lolo and niece, Litiane Poort enriched her childhood memories on Rollingwood Drive. During Tea’s teen years, Betsy Vakapuna, Lucia Unga, Mary Mahe, Sosina Vimahi, Tania Kafoa and her sister Pou Fakahua developed a friendship group most people only dream of resulting in a deep-rooted, unwavering and life-long sisterhood.
After graduating from Capuchino High School in 1987, she left the Bay Area to attend Ricks College where she excelled in academics and continued to make lasting relationships with new acquaintances; her genuine interest and concern for those she met immediately changed strangers into friends. She rarely passed by an opportunity to reconnect and enjoy time with those she cared for and loved. And she never missed a chance to speak heartfelt words with loved ones encouraging wrongs to be made right.
Her adventures continued after college when she moved to Salt Lake City. In 1992, her parents relocated from the San Francisco Bay area to St. George, and she eventually joined them to be closer to her family members in Southern Utah.
During the course of her journey, she met her future husband, Mose Nio, and they married on July 24, 2000. Mose brought sons Alfred, Tala and Sione to their new family and Tea called them her boys. Soon she and Mose welcomed more sacred treasures to their family– son Sauniaumalemanu arrived followed by twin boys Tonga and Samoa. She found everlasting joy raising her boys and devoted her time and heart to their upbringing. Even through her illnesses, she remained a steadfast and devoted mother to her children.
Ulukilupetea is survived by her husband Mose, children Alfred Mose Nio, Tala’elelei Mose Nio Sione Mose Nio, Sauniaumalemanu Fakahua Nio, Tonga ‘Uli’uli Mosese Havea Nio and Samoa Ali’i Solia Nio and grandchildren Iona, Raylyn and Ziva Nio. She leaves her mother Latu Vava’u Litiane Finau Fakahua, brother Oscar (Jennifer) Fakahua, brother Misinale (Kimberly) Fakahua, sister Anaseini Liumeitupou and all of her adored nieces and nephews to carry on her spirit of love and generosity.
Tea has reunited with her twin girls Marley Si’i and Mana Si’i Nio, father Malakai Pua Fakahua, grandparents Sitamipa Isikele and Ana Lolohea Finau, Salesi Misinale Fakahua and Akosita Finau Havea, along with countless loved ones in their Heavenly home.
Lupetea’s unconditional love and understanding were genuine and good. Her legacy will carry on through her children, nieces, nephews and family by replicating her meaningful acts of love, kindness and service, as modeled by the Savior. Her spirit will remain encircled around her cherished bonds of family and friendships and we are forever blessed because she lived a life full of love. This is our Tea and she is missed.
A viewing will be held Friday, July 5, from 6-10 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Manzanita Chapel located at 3519 Manzanita Road, St. George, Utah. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 6, at 12:30 p.m. at the same location. A viewing will be held prior to service, from 8 a.m.-noon. Interment will be in the Ivins City Cemetery 200 W 400 N, Ivins, Utah.
Condolences may be shared on the McMillan Mortuary website. Click here to access the website.