The Tongan community in Utah is mourning for the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho passed away on Sunday in New Zealand at the age of 90.

The Lavulo family in Salt Lake City, relatives of the Queen Mother told Fox13 that the loss of the Queen Mother is very saddening for the Tongan community especially for the older generation.

Maryann Tukuafu said, "She's an instrumental part to a lot of these families in the Tongan community.”

The Queen Mother visited Utah several times and in 2011 attended the dedication of the Tonga United Methodist Church in West Valley City.

“We were just happy to have the opportunity to meet with her and spend some time with her. It was great,” Maryann said.

“Right now in Tonga, villages are gathering together with monetary donations, fine mats and gifts of different sorts, to pay their respects to the royal family.”

The Lavulo family will perform their customary duties, although not in person. They will collect money and gifts to send to the Queen Mother’s family.

The funeral cortege for the Queen Mother will arrive in Tonga on Tuesday 28 February.

She will be laid to rest at the Royal Tombs, Mala’ekula on Wednesday 1 March, 2017.

Queen Mata’aho is survived by a son King Tupou VI, daughter Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita, 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.