'Amelia Latuniua Taumoepeau-Tupou (62) passed away at the Vaiola Hospital, in Nuku'alofa yesterday, August 12, after an illness. A sister of the Queen Mother, her death comes less than three weeks after the loss of another sister Kalolaine Lataifalefehi Fakafanua on July 26.

Latuniua was reported to have been suffering from kidney complications. She was the youngest of the six sisters of the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho, and the wife of Hon Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi Taumopeau-Tupou, Tonga's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, and the Acting Governor of Vava'u.

A daughter, 'Ainise Taumoepeau-Tupou, said today that her mother passed away at about 6:20pm yesterday, and will remain at Vaiola Hospital until the evening of Wednesday August 15 when the 'apo will be held at the family residence at Kolofo'ou. The funeral service will be held at the Free Wesleyan Centenary Church on the morning of Thursday August 16 before her burial at the Mala'e'aloa Cemetery next to her mother, the late Heuifanga Veikune 'Ahome'e.

Latuniua was one of the nine children of the late Noble 'Ahome'e, the estate holder of Ha'avakatolo, and the late Heuifanga.

Her siblings include the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho, Tupou Kolotolu Puloka, Kaufo'ou Naufahu, 'Elenoa Ngataialupe Tupouniua, Va'etapu Melehifokivai 'Ahome'e, the late Kalolaine Lataifalefehi Fakafanua, and two brothers - the late Noble 'Ahome'e (Vuna Tu'i'oetau) and the late Manuopangai 'Ahome'e.

She is survived by her husband and four children: Christian David Faha'ivalu, Marcella Margaret Tupoumoheofo, Odette 'Ainise Kilinalivoni Tupou'ahome'e and Latasi Toutoupau'u Taumoepeau-Tupou, and grandchildren.

Kalolaine Lataifalefehi Fakafanua

Another sister Kalolaine Lataifalefehi Fakafanua who died suddenly on July 26, was buried on August 3 at the Vakataumai Cemetary.

Kalolaine was the wife of the Noble Fakafanua the estate holder of Ma'ufanga Tongatapu, and Faleloa Ha'apai (who died in May 2004), and the mother of seven children. She was predeceased by her son Noble Fakafonua (Tutoatasi) who died suddenly in February 2006. Kalolaine is survived by six chldren: Si'atukimoana Vaea, Kisione Lelea Fakafanua, Polotu Paunga, Nikolasi Fakafanua, Mele Tu'iha'agana, and Ma'ata Paea.