In Memory of Kalisi “Tiu” Malialutu Mataele Fineasi

Hello everyone. This fundraiser is being run by Kalisi’s nieces and nephews. We are raising funds to help lay to rest our beloved Aunty Tiu — a devoted special education teacher, known affectionately by her students as Ms. Kalisi, who spent her life caring for others, including her students, family, and community. We want to ensure that our beloved aunty Kalisi gets the funeral service and burial that honors and respects her.

Unfortunately, our family is struggling and need help with covering funeral expenses such as embalming, viewing, casket, plot, burial, transportation, etc. Our family asks that our community share this post across social media and spare donations if possible.

Kalisi “Tiu” M. Fineasi, lovingly known by family and friends as “Tiu”, was born in American Samoa on February 5, 1976. She was the youngest of five daughters to two Tongan parents. Shortly after her birth — she, her siblings, and mother flew to the States to join their father for a new life in California.

Growing up in the Bay Area, her life was dedicated towards God, her family, and helping kids through her work in education. She, her sisters, and parents found themselves involved tremendously in supporting their community through their Church — St. Francis of Assisi in East Palo Alto. Kalisi was a key volunteer especially when it came to running fundraisers through the church. In places where family and community flourished, you could find Kalisi.

She attended and graduated from Menlo Atherton High School in the Class of ’96. Kalisi had attended San Jose State University aiming for a bachelor’s in ‘Social Work & Liberal Arts’, when a semester away from graduating — she had to take time away to take care of her ailing father.

Kalisi strongly valued education and teaching. She was a special education teacher at the Ravenswood City School District at various schools, including Flood, Brentwood, Cesar Chavez, Green Oaks, and Costaño in East Palo Alto for 20 years.

Kalisi was unwed, but despite this her life was filled with a lot of family — she was blessed with five nieces (Leslie, Victoria, Falekakala, Kolotita, and Salote) and two nephews (Maile and Similai Jr.) who kept her life joyous. She helped raise her nieces and nephews, as if they were her own children and heavily instilled the importance of family, faith and education. On any given weekend, you could find her taking the kids on spontaneous ice cream runs, endless day trips, or spending a nice sunny afternoon at the park during the summertime. Looking back at old Polaroids captured during her early 20s, she was surrounded by family, always holding one of us in her arms—she was no stranger to quality time with those she loved the most.

Tiu was sweet, patient, and gentle—but she wasn’t soft. She stood on what she believed in, and if she had something to say, you were gonna hear it. No filter and definitely no sugar-coating. She’d tell you off without holding back and then go right back to loving you being her funny, caring self. Tiu was solid and a woman of integrity. She kept her word, worked hard, paid her bills on time, and helped anyone she could. She never made excuses. She was a worker bee through and through, always pushing the importance of hard work, earning your own money, and standing on your own two feet. She had this crazy laugh that filled the room and made everyone else crack up along with her. Tiu loved her simple joys—video games, her Islander music, making personalized jewelry for friends and family, and filling up her puzzle books until there wasn’t a single page untouched. She had beautiful long hair that we’d style and play with for hours. Every payday, she’d spoil us without even thinking twice about it. She always made time for family and poured love into everything we did together.

During her final chapter, Kalisi was facing personal health challenges. She spent her last four months at Vasona Creek Facility, hopeful that she would improve and finally return home. Throughout her time there, she stayed optimistic about the future, often speaking of the things she looked forward to the most. After being discharged, Kalisi peacefully passed away shortly in her apartment home in Santa Clara.

We humbly ask for donations at this time, every single one counts — so we can support our family through this tumultuous time. Thank you.