Alesi (Sovasova) Taylor

ALESI (SOVASOVA) TAYLOR (1974 to 2016) Adi Alesi Waqanivavalagi (Sovasova) Taylor, age 42, passed away on November 30, 2016, surrounded by her loving husband and their four beautiful children at their home in South Jordan, Utah. She was born June 11, 1974, in Lautoka, Fiji to Jone and Seini Sovasova. She married Todd Michael Taylor in the St. George, UT LDS Temple on December 17, 1994. Alesi was blessed to be raised in the beautiful Fijian Islands by goodly parents who were true pioneers for the LDS Church in Fiji and positive contributors to the communities in which they lived. Alesi attended various elementary schools throughout Fiji, as her father fulfilled work assignments for the Fiji Sugar Corporation and her mother worked as a registered nurse in various hospitals. Alesi completed her high school education at Fiji LDS Church College, where she was selected as Head Girl of the school for 1991. After graduating from high school, Alesi was given the opportunity to participate in the LDS Church’s work experience and tertiary education program through the Polynesian Cultural Center and Brigham Young University-Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii. She and Todd were both working at the Polynesian Cultural Center and attending BYU-H when they met and married in 1994. They lived in many different places throughout the world, as indicated by the birth places of their four children: Oklahoma, Hawaii, Fiji and New Zealand. They also lived in Arizona and Utah. She made each place her home, with her only requirement being that her husband and children be there. Alesi was loved and respected by all who met her, every place she lived, worked and played. She had an infectious smile and showed genuine love toward and interest in others. She developed lifelong relationships with many and had a gift for remembering names and details of her acquaintances. Most important to Alesi, she endeavored to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ and to serve Him and others throughout her life, especially her family. She served in many different Church callings, including Primary, Young Women, Relief Society and Seminary Instructor. She was a “Bishop’s wife” in both Fiji and again in New Zealand, all the while fulfilling her most cherished role as “Mom” and supporting Todd through his career and law school years. She loved their children very much and took great joy in all they did. To her, they were her greatest accomplishments. Alesi developed a real love for fitness and running later in life. She taught Zumba and completed numerous marathons, half-marathons and relay races. Through the training and running of these races, she learned many valuable lessons about hard work, struggling, enduring pain and persevering to the very end to finish the race. All these lessons prepared her to face the cancer diagnosis she received in April 2014, which would prove to be the most challenging race of her life. She underwent various forms of treatment over the subsequent 2.5 years. She rarely complained to anyone about the many days of nausea, weakness and discomfort caused by the varying forms of treatment she received and by the cancer itself. To all who knew Alesi, this is how they would describe her: She was a true angel, with a wonderful gift to see the good in all whom she came in contact with. Her love was felt by all. Because of this, she made many life-long and eternal friendships. Even though we know that she will continue to watch over us, her absence here on earth will be felt by so many. Alesi is survived by her mother; her husband and their children, Keikikalani (19), Lavenia (18), Talmage (15) and Lomani (13); her siblings, Josua Sovasova (Lusiana), Adi Ceva Dunn (William), Viliame Sovasova, Mereoni Vuidreketi (Peni) and Kristina Ravudi (Aisake); and many nieces and nephews in Fiji and Utah. Alesi was wholeheartedly accepted into and loved deeply by Todd’s family: Parents, Terry and Randee Taylor; and siblings, Shelly Ence (Robert), Jeff, Travis, Sean (Sarah), Jennifer Miller (Troy) and Tenille Kaufusi (Jason). Alesi is preceded in death by all her grandparents; her father; her father-in-law; her sister-in-law, Sarah (Reed) Taylor; and her nephew, Jake T Ence. Services for Alesi will be as follows: Viewings: Friday (December 09, 2016) from 6:00 - 8:00pm and Saturday (December 10, 2016) from 9:00 - 10:30am at the LDS Chapel located at 11420 South 700 West, Draper, Utah. Funeral service: Saturday (December 10, 2016) at 11:00am at the same Chapel. Interment: Monday (December 12, 2016) at 11:00am in Gunlock, Utah—her adopted hometown outside of Fiji. Family members wish to thank the kind and skilled professionals of St. Mark’s Hospital (Salt Lake City, UT); Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, UT) and Intermountain Homecare & Hospice. As well as the countless meals, well wishes, prayers and many other acts of kindness and service from family and friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Peni Malohifo'ou of Serenity Funeral Home, Draper, UT (801) 255-2801. Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com and through social media.

Alesi (Sovasova) Taylor

June 11, 1974 - November 30, 2016