Neosita Tui'one Harris

After 75 years of a well lived life, Neosita Tui’one Harris passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, in Orem, Utah, surrounded by her loving daughter, Ilaisaane Finau Liutai, and granddaughter, Kaufo’ou Liutai. Neosita was born on January 17, 1951, in Pangai, Ha’apai, Tonga, to Taukiha’amea Pulotu Tui’one and Ilaisaane Palutea Kongaika. She was the second daughter born to Taukiha’amea and Ilaisaane and was lovingly raised by her mother’s sister, Fuasino Kongaika. She attended Pangai Ha’apai Elementary School and later graduated from Liahona High School. On January 29, 1970, she married NaiLasikau Lavaki in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. They made their home in Nuku’alofa, where their family grew to include four children. In 1980, Neosita and her family traveled to Hawaii while her husband completed his degree and she earned a certificate in secretarial administration. After returning home to Tonga in 1982, their family was completed with the birth of three additional children, making seven in total. Neosita deeply loved her children and opened her home to many of her cousins’ children who needed a place to stay. Neosita began her career working at the mission office in Fasi, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. She later worked at the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple and the Tonga Service Center. She loved serving others and especially cherished working with the youth and children. After 41 years of faithful employment with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she retired in 2011. In 2010, she married Norman Harris. They lived happily together in Kahoua, Tonga, until his passing in the fall of 2011. Neosita faithfully served in many church callings throughout her life, including Primary President, Relief Society President, Young Women President, and Music Leader. Her favorite calling was serving the Primary children. She lovingly ministered to widows in her ward by taking them on car rides and giving foot massages. When selling baked goods at the marketplace, she often gave much of her goods away to those in need rather than selling them. Neosita was known for her elegance and style. She loved her jewelry, makeup, perfumes, and heels and always presented herself with grace. Even when working at the temple at 5:00 a.m., she would wake up two hours early to prepare. She had a special gift for styling herself beautifully and could make a size 3XL dress look like a size L. She will be remembered for her beauty, confidence, and signature style. She loved music and food. As a music chorister, she loved to sing and dance and taught others to waltz, cha-cha, and foxtrot. As a young girl, she twirled a baton and led the marching band. She also expressed her love through cooking and baking and was known for her potato salad, raw fish, teriyaki beef, pineapple pies, chocolate cakes, carrot cakes, and many other delicious dishes. Neosita is survived by her children: Oloka Lavaki (Auckland, New Zealand); Jeffrey Lavaki (Texas); Finau Liutai (Lloyd Liutai, Orem, Utah); Olivia Moleni (Sione Moleni, Laie, Hawaii); LeeRoy Lavaki (Missy Carlson, Portland, Oregon); Arnold Lavaki (Karen Nihipali, Laie, Hawaii); and Mekemeke Iosua (Nofoaiga Iosua, St. George, Utah); Her 17 grandchildren: Semisi Vaha’i (Auckland, New Zealand), Mekemeke Vaha’i (Auckland, New Zealand), Michael Needham (American Fork, Utah), Brandon Lavaki (Boise, Idaho), Vaea Liutai (Orem, Utah), Kaufo’ou Liutai (Orem, Utah), Suaesi Moleni (Laie, Hawaii), Dianah Moleni (Laie, Hawaii), Keoni Moleni (Laie, Hawaii), Anela Moleni (Laie, Hawaii), Olivia Lavaki (Portland, Oregon), Maila Lavaki (Portland, Oregon), Lu’isa Lavaki (Laie, Hawaii), Edith Iosua (St. George, Utah), Elizabeth Iosua (St. George, Utah), Elenoa Iosua (St. George, Utah), and Elianna Iosua (St. George, Utah); Her brothers and sisters: Fusipala Sika, Kulaea Otutaha, Tevita Kongaika, ‘Ofa Latu, Saia Latu, Ve’etutu Foliaki, Anamalia Vimahi, Sala Naulu, Mosese Likiliki, Pesai Tuione, Bentley Tuione, Fangapulotu Tuione, Ottley Tuione Pulotu, Tuione Pulotu, Mapuana Tuione, Christie Tuione, Taukiha’amea Tuione, Lilinoe Tuione, and Pita Tupou Tatiana. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Sione Kongaika Aholelei and Mele Latu Pasi; her paternal grandparents, Taufa Manase Tu’ione and Ane Lupe Kafoa Maealiuaki; her parents, Ikinesiasi Foukimoana Taukiha’amea Tui’one and Ilaisaane Palutea Kongaika; her former spouses, NaiLasikau Lavaki and Norman Harris; and her sibling, Ueleni Uhi. Funeral Services Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Orem 10th Ward 1471 South Geneva Road Orem, Utah 84058 Viewing: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Bishop’s Program: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Burial 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Spanish Fork Cemetery 420 South 400 East Spanish Fork, Utah 84660 The family expresses their deepest gratitude to all who loved and cared for Mom during her life. We are especially grateful to Serenity Funeral Home for their compassionate assistance in making this burden lighter for our family. Please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com.

Neosita Tui'one Harris

January 17, 1951 - March 9, 2026