Funeral services for the matriarch of the Tiumalu Sia and Mulipola Herbert Scanlan Family, High Chief Tiumalu Telesia Lagarejos Scanlan, will be held tomorrow.
Afioga i le Tapunuu passed away peacefully on November 20 at the age of 94.
Tiumalu was a pioneer for Samoan women on many fronts, becoming a high chief, a village mayor, a senator, businesswoman and music composer. But she will be best remembered by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren as the foundation of their family.
Her mother was the daughter of HC Tiumalu La’ila’i of Fagatogo, and her father, Charles Anacletos Lagarejos of the Philippines was the chef to naval governors of American Samoa.
When her father returned to the Philippines to tend to family affairs, he took some of Tiumalu’s siblings and she remained here with her mother and younger siblings. The St Francis Elementary student quickly had to find a job to take care of her mother and other siblings. She found work at the naval laundry house.
After marrying her husband, Herbert Scanlan, the young couple moved with their children to Hawaii and lived there for several years until her mother asked that they return to help with her saofa’i (title investiture) as Tiumalu.
Returning home, the Scanlans started a small store which was the beginning of other ventures including the famous Herb and Sia’s Motel in Fagatogo. The motel was a center for great Polynesian entertainment featuring the Scanlan’s gifted children and grandchildren.
Friday night floor shows at Herb and Sia’s were always special with Mulipola and Tiumalu sometimes sharing the stage with their children, grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
These family shows were replicated in the Scanlan Family Christmas Show on KVZK-TV.
Tiumalu’s name is also prominent in the development of the Catholic Church in both Samoas. She translated hymns which were mostly Latin and English into Samoan and composed original Samoan hymns.
She formed organizations such as the Sacred Heart Society which helped build the home for the elderly now known as Hope House and Mapuifagalele in Samoa. The acreage where Fatuoaiga, the headquarters of the local Catholic Diocese is built, was developed with the fundraising efforts of the Sacred Heart Society.
Tiumalu also translated catechism books of the Catholic church into Samoan.
Tiumalu and Mulipola Scanlan hosted parish priests, catechists, Cardinal Pio Taofinuu and later when the church in American Samoa became an independent diocese, its first leader, Bishop John Quinn Weitzel.
Tiumalu was the music director and conductor of the St Joseph Co-Cathedral Parish, Fagatogo choir for many decades,
She was also active in the ecumenical services of Fagatogo village.
When her mother became too frail to continue as the sa’o or head matai of their family she took up the chiefly title, Tiumalu.
As a leading chief of Fagatogo and the District of Mauputasi, she was selected as senator in 2012. However she did not serve a full term due to failing health and Afioga Afoa Moega Lutu served the remainder of her term.
Eldest daughter Annie Anderson said they consider their mother as “the best role model and example of unwavering faith in God, of dedication and love of family, village and church.”
Tiumalu and Mulipola had nine children, 34 grandchildren, 75 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren.
Her Requiem Mass will be held at St Joseph Co-Cathedral, Fagatogo at 12 pm tomorrow, Saturday, December 18.
Ia tafi mala le faigamalaga a le tina. Journey well HC Tiumalu Telesia Scanlan!
