Rachael Aotutahanga Patane

Two weeks and three days after her eighty-first birthday, our loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Rachael Aotutahanga Patane left us for a glorious reunion with her eternal companion.

Rachael passed away at home on Wednesday morning, April 20, 2016. Rachael was born in Kawhia, Waikato, New Zealand on April 1, 1935. She was the eighth child of fourteen children born to Te Aututahanga Reti and Irina Whawhakia Paki. Her siblings are as follows, from the oldest to the youngest: James New Year Reti, Tete Paora Reti, Christine Te Para Reti, Ani Te Para Audrey Reti, Ora Amy Reti, Manawapa Reti, Krishna Aotea Reti, Rachael Aotutahanga Reti, Arohana Te Aotutahanga Reti, Edith Awhitu Reti, Kaaroha Ivy Reti, Peter Reti, Irina Whawhakia Reti, Harata Charlotte Reti

It was after an amateur boxing match in Auckland that Mum was introduced to her eternal companion, Tuitufu Fateia Patane. They were married and sealed in the New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on March 6, 1954. They built their home in Otara where all eight of their children were raised: Atisa Gayle Afualo, Ellis Thomas Patane, Moroni Klin Patane, Miller Strauss Patane, La Verne Gillaire Patane, Palolo Roxanne Uesele, Ailao Ua Matamasaga Patane, and Moana Gaylene Gasu.

Rachael learned the value of hard work through her hard-working parents who raised her and her siblings on their farmland in Kawhia. In 1975 she was instrumental in moving her family to Samoa; at the end of 1976 she moved her family to Hawaii; in 1979 she moved her family to California, and about 15 years ago she and her husband settled in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rachael leaves behind 3 daughters, 4 sons, 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

The Family service for Rachael will be held at 9:00 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4551 South 1200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, followed by the Bishop’s service at the same location starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place following the services at the Elysian Burial Gardens, located at 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah where she will be buried with her eternal companion, Tuitufu Fateia Patane. On-line guest book at www.russonmortunary.com.