Isa, farewell John Tukua

from w
A friend told us this week of the passing of a beloved Anglican pastor, the Rev John Tukua. A lovely man who came from Macuata and worked in Geelong, Australia, then the family moved to Wellington, New Zealand. Our condolences go to the Tukua family in Wellington and other places.

From a Wellington newspaper:

TUKUA, Rev John. On 27 July 2011 our beloved Husband, Dad and Grandpa passed away at Te Omanga Hospice in Lower Hutt. Our rock and hero. We will miss him so much but his spirit will always be in our lives and we draw strength from what he has given us. Dad, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race and you have kept the faith. Rest in Peace "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way". Psalm 37:23 Very Much loved by Isimeli, Lai Leng, Joshua and Esther Tukua; Beverley, Gabriel, and Joseph John (JJ) Penjueli; Gabrielle, Allan, Ashley and Madison Boag; Dorothy, Manaia, Iesha and Isaiah Opai; and Joel Tukua. Messages for the Tukua Family can be placed in John's on line tributes book at www.tributes.co.nz or posted to c/- PO Box 44-176 Lower Hutt. The funeral service for Rev John will be held at St. James Anglican Church, 71 Woburn Road Lower Hutt on Wednesday 3 August 2011 at 10:30am followed by interment at the Akatarawa Cemetery.
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And we've told from a New Zealand friend that Ela, John's wife, passed away two weeks later. Amazing. Here are the notes from a New Zealand newspaper about Ela.
Ela Silayawa Tukua


TUKUA, Ela Silayawa. Our beautiful, courageous Mum and Grandma passed away peacefully on 12 August 2011 at Te Omanga Hospice, surrounded by her family. Aged 73 years. Dearly loved soul mate and wife of the late Rev John Tukua (deceased 27 July 2011). Treasured mum of Isimeli and Lai Leng Tukua, Beverly and Gabriel Penjueli, Gabrielle and Allan Boag, Dorothy and Manaia Opai, and Joel Tukua. Cherished Grandma of Joshua and Esther Tukua, Joseph John Penjueli, Ashley and Madison Boag, and Iesha and Isaiah Opai. Your path was long and tiring, but you never gave up hope. We know that Dad awaited you and understood your need to leave. You've left behind your children's tears, loving memories of the years, of joy and love, of courage and faith - a life well spent. We know that you are now at peace, with Dad and in God's loving arms. Messages for the Tukua Family can be placed in Ela's online tribute book at www.tributes.co.nz or posted to c/- PO Box 44-176 Lower Hutt. The funeral service for Ela will be held at St. James Anglican Church, 71 Woburn Road Lower Hutt on Wednesday 17th August 2011 at 10.30am followed by interment at the Akatarawa Cemetery. Harbour City Funeral Home FDANZ Tel (04) 570-0111 www.funeral-link.co.nz