Cover photo for Eseta Fiso's Obituary
Eseta Fiso Profile Photo
1941 Eseta 2025

Eseta Fiso

November 11, 1941 — June 30, 2025

With humble hearts, we pay tribute to Eseta Purcell Fiso, who returned to her Heavenly Home on Monday, June 30, 2025, at her home in Salt Lake City, Utah surrounded by family and friends.

She was born on November 11, 1941, in Malaela, Aleipata, Samoa at the home of her parents, Lesamatauanuu Fofogaoalii Hans Purcell and Mataniufeagaimaleata Savea-Fuamatu. The seventh of fourteen children, Eseta was raised in Malaela and attended Poutasi Primary School, Intermediate School in Lepa, Aleipata, and the LDS College in Sauniatu, Savai'i. She was a hard worker who contributed greatly to the family plantation, helping grow taro, bananas, ufi, coconuts, and other fruits, as well as yams.

Shortly after her education, Eseta served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Samoan island of Savai'i. She was proud to be the only child of her parents to serve a full-time mission for The Church. Upon returning home, she moved to New Zealand in the mid-1960s to live with her sisters Marina and Christina to work to help support her family in Samoa. There, Eseta worked several jobs until she found a career working for Bluebird, one of New Zealand's biggest snack food manufacturers. During the next 35 years, she broke through systemic barriers of racism and prejudice, becoming not only the first female but also the first Polynesian shift manager of the company. It was her love for people and her smile for everyone she came in contact with that helped her have a successful career and achieve such milestones at Bluebird.

Eseta had many talents, like dancing. She was also passionate about music, playing several instruments, and singing. She loved the Lord and dedicated much of her life to service in The Church, serving in various callings at the Ward and Stake level. Notably, she was a pioneer in helping establish the 1st Samoan ward in Otara, Auckland, New Zealand. For her service to her family and village, Eseta was bestowed the Samoan Chief Matai title of "Fofogaoalii" from her father, the Sao and Village High Chief Lesamatauanuu Fofogaoalii Hans Purcell. In 1992, she fell in love with Numeramuamua Fiso, and they were married civilly on May 25, 1996, in Otara. She was attracted to Numeramuamua's sense of humor and also his dedication to serving the Lord and others. In 1998, she decided to retire and they moved to Long Beach, California in the United States to live closer to her mother. Eseta gave most of her retirement and savings to rebuild and upgrade the family home in Samoa.

At the end of 2002, Eseta and Numeramuamua moved to West Valley City, Utah and were soon sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 20, 2003. Following the death of her mother in 2010, Eseta and Numeramuaua soon moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she lived out the final years of her life. Eseta did not have any biological children of her own, but she raised many of her siblings' children as if they were her own. It brought great joy to her to make a difference in the lives of her nephews and nieces.
Eseta was a disciple of Jesus Christ and strived throughout her life to follow Him and His teachings, be positive, and help others be happy.

Eseta is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings - Matafua Adeline Key, Charles Purcell, Vaiola Purcell, Iosefa Purcell, Christina Faleono, Simi Purcell, Shirley Purcell, Nora Purcell, and Falealii Wyoma Purcell. Eseta is survived by her Eternal companion Fiso Numeramuamua Fiso, and her siblings - Marina Brown, Fofogaoalii Amy Upu Purcell, Veva Aiono, Juanita Loli, and To'omalatai Fofogaoalii James Purcell, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

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