Seini Tonga Vanisi

Seini Tonga Vanisi was born on August 17, 1934 in Neiafu, Vava’u, Tonga to Salesi Tongamatamoana and Meleane Tohu’ia Tomasi Tonga.

Church and family were at the heart of everything Seini did. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she was both employed by and voluntarily served in many positions and callings throughout her life. Seini was well known for her work ethic and attention to detail, and she began working early, when, as a teenager, she worked at the church mission home. She also served as Primary President, Relief Society President, a primary teacher, a nursery leader, a visiting teacher, a full-time missionary, a ward missionary, and a temple ordinance worker. Serving in the church was truly one of her greatest joys.

In her early years, Seini attended a Catholic boarding school, and she attended secondary school in the Tonga Government School System.

In January of 1953, Seini married Haloti Vanisi. They were sealed in the Hamilton, New Zealand Temple in 1959, and they served a full-time couple mission in 1963 in the areas of Niua, Toputapu (made famous by Elder Groberg and his book, The Other Side of Heaven), Lape, Vava’u, and Masilamea, Tongatapu.

Seini and Haloti raised 3 children, welcoming Leonisia Tonga into their home in 1954, Aifa’i Mausia Vaka in 1963, and Louise Vanisi in 1975. In 1965, the family migrated from Tonga to California, where Seini once again utilized the skills learned in her youth to work as a housekeeper. In 1985, the family moved to Allen, Texas, and then in 2000 Seini and Haloti made their final move to Independence, Missouri.

Seini was incredibly skilled in sewing, crochet, and embroidery, and she made beautiful handicrafts for her home and for those she loved. She faithfully journaled and leaves behind volumes of journals filled with her thoughts. She was renowned for her baking, cooking, and hospitality, and she loved to host family gatherings and feed the missionaries. Seini was also passionate about gardening and her yard was always blooming with beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables.

Seini was preceded in death by her parents, Salesi and Meleane Tonga, her beloved husband, Haloti Vanisi, her brothers, Nifai, Hengehenga, Uimaifea, and Tom Tuitalau Tonga, her sisters, Silika and Loleini Tonga, and her granddaughter, Laelynn Foster. She is survived by her brother, Paul Tonga, her sister, Aifa’i Vaka [Siale], her children, Leonisia Tonga [Sharon] and Louise Vanisi, four grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed.

A visitation to honor Seini will be held on Thursday, November 4, from 6-8:00 p.m., at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th. St. in Independence, MO. A funeral service will take place the following day, Friday, November 5, at 11:00 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, 705 W. Walnut St., Independence, MO 64050. Seini will be laid to rest at Brooking Cemetery in Raytown, MO.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600).