Matasami Nu'u Siufanua Moana

Matasami Nu’u Siufanua Moana February 25, 1937 – April 22, 2025

Matasami Moana, known to many as “Aunty Sami,” passed away peacefully at her home in Marina, California, on April 22, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Faleniu, American Samoa to Ita and Mealeaga Siufanua. Matasami studied nursing in Samoa before relocating to Hawaii, where she met the love of her life, Nikolao Moana. They married on November 12, 1958, and together raised four children.

For more than fifty years, Matasami dedicated her life to caring for the elderly on the Monterey Peninsula, providing compassionate support to the loved ones of countless families. During the final two decades of her career, she served as the care administrator at Pacific Rest Home in Monterey and Valley Rest Home in Carmel, before retiring to focus on caring for her husband.

Outside of her professional life, Matasami was the matriarch of her family, always bringing loved ones together to celebrate birthdays and holidays. She loved to be in the kitchen, where she was known for her Sapa Sui, Puligi (a traditional Samoan dessert), banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies. On many afternoons, she could be found at home cheering on her beloved San Francisco Giants, watching Family Feud, listening to Samoan music or at the ballpark, proudly watching her grandchildren play on the field. 

Matasami is survived by her son, Patrick Moana (Sukoshi); grandchildren Nikolao Moana (Alexandria), Po’okela Moana, Zion Atalima, Koapaka Moana, and Zayda Atalima; and great-grandchildren Malosi and Bodhi Moana. She is also remembered with love by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Sami’s legacy of love, service, and generosity lives on in all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nikolao Filo Moana; her children, George Nikolao Moana, Gene Ita Moana, and Angel Susanaivanu Moana.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 11, at 11:00 AM at Mission Mortuary and Memorial Park in Seaside, CA. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Father Ron Green, Dr. Richard King, Dr. Nancy Tray, Mission Mortuary, for all their support in recent months.