Alefa Falala's Obituary
Alefa was born July 1, 1960 in Aoa, American Samoa to parents Falala Samoata and Perise leitana Lavea Samoata. She was the 3rd oldest of 8 kids. She had left behind 5 sisters and 2 brothers. Alefa left Samoa at the age of 14 to San Francisco. From there she moved to Utah to stay with her Mothers sisters (Aunty Pemita and Aunty Lili) for a few years. While in Utah, she had met the love of her life Ruben who was in the Air Force at the time. They both relocated to Austin, Texas where they resided for 30+ happy years together. They did not have any kids. Ruben passed away in 2013. For those who had known Alefa, she was a workaholic. She worked as a chef for most of her working life.Alefa was originally diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2001. She underwent numerous treatments and surgery for this and was in complete remission but then a couple years later she had come to find out she had colon cancer as well. While being hospitalized in May 2016, her cancer had become evasive so she made the decision to move to San Diego to reside with her brother Opetaia and family. By the time she loved to San Diego on June 27th her cancer was already at stage 4. Although while here in San Diego, we did take her to a top cancer facility for a 2nd opinion, the cancer was so invasive that we were told it was now considered terminal. Even with being told she was looking at 6 months or less of life, she was determined to live life.Alefa had refused to be put into a nursing facility. She preferred to be taken care of and surrounded by family to the very end. For the last 6 months of her life she resided with her brother Opetaia, wife Meki and his family. During this time, her sisters Alei and Tinei along with Aunties Pemita, Lili and Segia and other family members from afar would visit during this time as well. While at home and surrounded by family. On New Years Eve at 11:44pm, Alefa took her last breath and ended her long battle with cancer. Alefa will be greatly missed by her siblings, nieces, nephews and many family members.
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