Nahega Molifai Silimaka

Lady Nahega Molifai Silimaka - 'Lady of Tatafa' - (14 April 1908 - 9 May 2008), affectionately known as "Nana Moli or Nana Silimaka", was a Matriarch of Niue and centenarian. She was attributed to be a founding member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in her village of Liku, Niue Island.

Family life

Lady Silimaka married Silimaka Ikinehau, a farmer and landowner in Liku, Niue Island in 1945. Although, having no biological offspring, they adopted 7 Main Children whom they identify as: Togiaua Fotuaga, Sialemele Pinivai, Vilimaui Vilikai, Mele Toni Vilikai, Isaako Togiaua, Anita Silimaka and Tumaka. From these 6 Children, Nahega was also able to also care for the 2nd and 3rd Generation of Children, making her the proud recipient of 34 Grandchildren, 78 Great-Grandchildren and 14 Great Great-Grandchildren. Nahega was a dearly loved member of her family, community and church.

Church Life

Born into a Christian influenced society, Lady Silimaka was baptised a member of the Presbyterian Church of Niue (PIC) upon her birth in 1908. She continued to attend the PIC Church until her meetings with Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1960. She was known to be one of the founding members in her village of Liku, assisting to fund-raise and hand build their first small brick chapel in the centre of Liku Village in the late 1960s.

Community service

Lady Silimaka was known for her community service in Niue, and when migrating to New Zealand in the 1970s, she continued her work. Her Service involved Women and Family Affairs and a large involvement in Musical Groups, especially Niuean Church Choirs.

100th Centenary

On 14 April 2008, Lady Silimaka was able to celebrate her 100th Birthday surrounded with family at her Otara Residence. A few weeks later in the ANZAC Weekend, she was able to 'celebrate her Birthday once more, with a multitude of guests numbering to 500 people at the LDS Church, Dawson Road' [1]. The celebration was marked with Niuean cultural groups, Samoan dances as well as many accolades being offered to her long and well served history.

Family Symbols

"Lady Silimaka was known for the symbol of the turtle, sacred to Niue and the Pacific. During her later years of life, the turtle became a represented symbol of the Silimaka family."^[1]

Death

Lady Nahega Molifai Silimaka died in her Auckland Home in New Zealand from causes incident to age. She was 100 years and 1 month. She was surrounded by loving family at the time of her passing. And was laid to rest at the Mangere Lawn Cemetery next to her husband, Silimaka Ikinehau (who died July 1979).

References

1. ^ Tauranga, David (2008). "100 Year old Gran has been a great-great women" [Printed version]. Manukau Courier, Cover Page. www.aucklandstuff.co.nz

Persondata
Name	Silimaka, Nahega Molifai
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	14 April 1908
Place of birth
Date of death	9 May 2008
Place of death