Arvay Siufanua

Beloved and cherished mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Arvay Mua’aufa’alele Siufanua slipped peacefully from her frail body into the loving arms of her parents, grandparents, and siblings on May 21, 2022. Arvay was born on April 27, 1944 in Faleniu, American Samoa to Liae Lili’i and Liva (Pilimai) Siufanua. Her family migrated to Laie, Hawaii when she was 2 years old and that was her home throughout her youth.

A proud graduate of Kahuku High School, Arvay continued her education at Church College of Hawaii (now Brigham Young University–Hawaii) earning a bachelor degree of science. She loved working at the Polynesian Cultural Center and often shared experiences from her travels around the world as a promo team dancer. One highlight she spoke of often was a four-night run at the Hollywood Bowl in California before an audience of 100,000 people. The promo team also appeared on the most popular TV variety program of the day, The Ed Sullivan Show.

Not only could Arvay perform Polynesian dance, but she could SING! Coming from a musical family, singing was natural for her and it led to many opportunities. She sang with college friends at university events, in clubs in American Samoa, and she even lived in California for a season to sing for her sister’s internationally acclaimed performing group, Nonosina Polynesia. Arvay knew how to play the ukulele, guitar, and piano and shared her talents freely.

Arvay was a devoted school teacher in American Samoa. Education was of utmost importance to her and it showed as she taught general education classes at the elementary level and home economics at Tafuna High School. Arvay was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she spent a lifetime of service in numerous callings. Some of her favorites were in Primary, ward choir, relief society, and at the Provo Missionary Training Center assisting newly-called missionaries needing to learn Samoan.

She is survived by her sister, Lana Burgess, son, Michael Laussen (Temanuata), daughter, Leann Johanknecht (Eric), and ten beautiful grandchildren: Vanessa Salafaia, Michael Lili’i, Andrew Atevalu, Fa’amalosi Inoke, Jessie Siufanua, Manu Zayden, Kitora-lynn Salafaia, Penina Ariana, Decker Liae, and Teuila Esme. Arvay is also preceded in death by her parents and nine siblings: Mataata Siufanua, Lee Siufanua, Mate Jackson, Duane Siufanua, Melita Lueder, Wendell Siufanua, Estella Reid, Nifo Lili’i, and Talive Siufanua.

Arvay’s life celebration is on Friday, June 3, 2022 at the Nelson Family Mortuary located at 4780 N. University Avenue, Provo, Utah 84604. (see link below for live stream) The public viewing will be at 10 am, family service at 11 am, and funeral service at 12 noon. The interment will follow at the Provo Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo, Utah, 84606.