Saineha Taofa Finau

December 21, 1935 - June 16, 2018

Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, Saineha Taofa Finau, age 82, passed away peacefully of health issues at Intermountain Health Care on 5600 S State St. on June 16, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her loving family surrounded her as she left this earthly realm to the arms of her Heavenly Father. Saineha was born in Tonga on December 21, 1935 to her caring and loving parents, Sione Tongi and ‘Itiliame Ngalu Maile. Her father encouraged her from a young age to get an education. She had a love for learning and quickly learned to speak English. Before she became a wife and mother she was a school teacher. She married Mataiasi Soakimi Finau on October 16, 1967; they traveled to New Zealand and were sealed in the LDS Temple on October 23, 1967. She supported her husband’s business ventures in Tonga and later in the United States. She courageously left her home in Tonga to give her children better opportunities to grow and learn in the United States. Saineha was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a steadfast testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and personal adoration for the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She regularly and affectionately shared her testimony, with conviction, to her children. Saineha is survived by her husband, Mataiasi Soakimi Finau, children: Waterlilly Matelau, Mataiasi Olea Finau and Samuel Raukeeyang Finau. She has 10 grandchildren. The family expresses thanks for the kindness and care given by the doctors and staff at Intermountain Health Care who cared for her. A Viewing will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 6:00 pm -7:00 pm Pioneer Stake Center, 1401 S 700 W., Salt Lake City, UT Memorial Service will follow viewing on Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 7:00 pm -9:30 pm Pioneer Stake Center, 1401 S 700 W., Salt Lake City, UT Viewing will be held on Friday June 22, 2018 from 9:00am -11:00am Pioneer Stake Center, 1401 S 700 W., Salt Lake City, UT Services are under the direction of Peni Malohifo'ou of Serenity Funeral Home Funeral will be held on Friday June 22, 2018 from 11:00am -12:00pm Pioneer Stake Center, 1401 S 700 W., Salt Lake City, UT Burial to follow funeral Redwood Memorial, 6500 S. Redwood Road