Palu Vava'u Cousins passes away in Nuku'alofa [1]
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - 20:19. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
'Anaseini Palu Vava'u Tupou Cousins (89) passed away early Saturday morning February 9 at Fangasiale-Mahina Fekite residence in Fasi.
She was Queen Nanasipau'u's aunt and younger sister of the late Baron Vaea of Houma and late Baroness Fatafehi 'o Lapaha Tuita.
Her niece Tupou 'Ahome'e Faupula said today, she would be laid to rest at Kolomanatau cemetery in Houma on Saturday afternoon, February 16.
Palu Vava'u was the fourth of nine children born to Viliami Vilai Vakalotu Tupou and Tupouseini Manumatavai Vaea Tupou.
She married her late husband a British national, Richard Cripps Cousins on February 12, 1955, in Nuku'alofa. They had no children.
She had then assisted the late Baroness Fatafehi in caring for her children with the late noble Tuita (Laufilitonga). She continued to care for the children of the current Lord Tuita with HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita, and was nanny to Hon. Frederica Fatafehi 'o Lapaha Tuita.
Composer
According to her family, Palu Vava'u had a cheerful nature. She grew up at the family residence Kaitangi 'a 'Ofa in Nuku'alofa and developed a love for singing and performing the traditional tau'olunga dance. She was sent by her late father to attend to the late Queen Salote Tupou III at the Royal Palace. While performing her duties at the palace, Palu Vava'u and Veiongo Kupu represented Tonga on a trip to England in 1954, for a BBC program following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Palu Vava'u has composed a number of popular Tongan songs including Sei 'o Fafine and Lupe'uluiva.