Joan Lupesina Galea'i Scott Holland Obituary (1936

Joan Lupesina Galea’i Scott Holland, born March 15, 1936 in Leone, Pago Pago, American Samoa, passed away August 11, 2021 in Provo, Utah. She leaves three daughters, Dawn (Tom) Shorey, Patsy (David) Cole, and Rhonda (Dave) Pope, 13 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Amos Galea’i. Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Lina Schmidt Galea’i and Apelu Galea’i and her siblings, Pulotu Filemoni, Albert “Pati” Galea’i, Amanda Iuli, Florida Sanchez, Faiivae Apelu Galea’i, Otto Galea’i, and Anderson “Andy” Galea’i. She was the youngest daughter in the family and was lovingly known as “Princess Lupesina”. Her father was a High Chief of the village, and the Galea’i Family were well known on the Island. Joan is also preceded in death by her late husband, Marion Scott and her second husband, Jack Holland. Her elementary years were spent at St Theresa’s Elementary and Samoana High School. One of the last events that she participated in before leaving Samoa in June, was the 75th year anniversary of Samoana High School. Joan attended as the eldest graduate. She came home feeling so content that she got to dance, eat, and cut the cake, making her feel like Miss Samoana 1959. Joan Lupesina was born Protestant, raised Catholic, then spent her entire adult life being a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When teased about having tried all religions, her response was “Been there, done that, and it’s fulfilling to be a Mormon.” After high school, Joan started working as a secretary for the Van Camp Tuna Cannery in Pago Pago, and one day her girlfriend told her that Samoan Airlines was interviewing for air hostess jobs. She passed the interview and became an air hostess. On one of her flights, she met a charming man that would one day befriend her father and ask for her hand in marriage. In 1960, she was married to Marion Scott. She was sad to leave the steward life, but her dreams of travelling were realized during the many missions with her husband that brought her to the various islands of the South Pacific, New Zealand, Scotland, and the States. Marion passed away in 1977, leaving her with 3 children. She then decided to go to college and graduated with her Associates degree. She worked for the state of California and later, after moving to Centerville, Utah, she worked as a secretary for the LDS Church offices. Later on, she moved back to her beloved Samoa and worked for her brother, Amos, at Samoan Tours & Travel. While in Samoa, she got reacquainted with an old friend and in 1982 married Jack Holland. They were married for 20 years until Jack passed away in 2005. Joan loved travelling and taking cruises and her last big trip was to Norway in 2019 to fulfill her dream of seeing the Fjords. Joan was very involved in her community and politics. In 2016, she was picked to be a delegate for American Samoa at the Republican National Convention in Washington, D.C. Every year she enjoyed traveling to the States to be with her children and grandchildren. She loved holidays and provided a lot of entertainment and silliness for her loved ones, one time even gliding through the living room blowing a train whistle to celebrate Christmas. Joan’s legacy is woven into the countless conversations she had with people wherever she lived, stayed, and traveled. She will be remembered fondly by her family for her lively dancing and endless energy. Joan always had a shiny disposition, optimistic personality, and didn’t let anything get her down. She will be missed by many. We love you Dear Mother, Grandma, Aunty, and Friend. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.