One of Samoa Observer's longest-serving and dedicated staff members, Josephine Ainu'u Fa'alili, passed away at the age of 50 on Thursday morning after 36 years of service to the company.

She leaves behind her mother, Lagituaiva Ainu'u, siblings, husband, and two children. 

Her husband Reverend Dr. Malutafa Fa'alili is a lecturer for the Old Testament at the Congregational Christian Church Samoa's theological college in Malua. 

The unexpected news of her passing on Thursday morning has been described as a profound loss, causing deep sorrow to her family, loved ones, church community, and colleagues at the Samoa Observer.

Samoa Observer Publisher and Financial Controller, Muliaga Jean Ash-Malifa is still trying to come to terms with the passing of her "right-hand" person. 

She was better known to her colleagues as "Josey" or "Fina".

"Josey started working for the Samoa Observer at 14-years-old back in 1988," Muliaga said. 

"She has been with us for 36 years and started work at the old office at the Nelson Building in Matafele where the ACC building is now located. 

"She was honest, reliable and she managed the whole operation of the daily paper when I was out of the country, except for the Editorial staff.

"Josey also had pep talks with the staff about honesty and sometimes treated the staff as her kids. She was my right hand and was very special to me and Savea (Editor-in-Chief, Savea Sano Malifa). 

Muliaga added that Josey's father, the late Kapuana Ainu'u was good friends with the Editor-in-Chief of the Samoa Observer newspaper, Savea Sano Malifa. 

"Unfortunately he passed away when Josey was 14 years old and she started by coming to work during school holidays. However, when she graduated from Polytechnic, she started full-time.

Additionally, Muliaga recalled the profound sense of melancholy she experienced when Josey revealed her decision to undergo training at Malua Theological College to become a church minister's wife. 

Despite this unexpected turn, Josey consistently returned to the Samoa Observer during holidays and breaks from school to contribute to the newspaper's operations.

The singular exception to Josey's consistent involvement was during the periods when she and her husband, Rev. Dr. Malutafa, ventured to Fiji to pursue their Master's degrees in Theology (Distinction) and subsequently when they travelled to Australia for her husband's doctorate from the University of Newcastle.  

"She grew up with the Observer," Muliaga added.  

"Josey was part of every success the Observer had. During hard times Josey was always with us, and I know Josey prayed for us all the time. 

"She was a daughter to us and was another face of the Samoa Observer. Her funny side is that she has that look that would scare anyone."

Muliaga expressed her sincere condolences to Josey's family, her husband, and her dear children. 

Veteran Samoan journalist who also worked at the Samoa Observer, Tuiasau Uelese Petaia described Josey as a humble and trustworthy person. 

"Her work ethic is hard to come by," Tuiasau said. "Condolences to her husband, children and family."

Mata'afa Sosikeni Lesa, a former Editor of Samoa Observer and having spent over two decades at the newspaper expressed profound surprise and sorrow upon learning about the passing of Josey.

"First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to her husband Rev. Malu, and family members, including the Samoa Observer family," Mata'afa said.

"This is extremely sad and unexpected and like many people who worked and knew her, it’s quite difficult to believe she has been called home. 

"Sosefina was a hard-working colleague who had the best interest of the Samoa Observer at heart. She was uncompromising when it came to her area of work and she was always one of the hardest workers in the room. 

"On a personal level, she was loving, kind, and a very generous soul. She had a unique sense of humor that often lightened the mood in some very serious situations during our time as work colleagues. 

"I had known Sosefina for many years and I know the media industry and her church family will miss her dearly. 

"My deepest condolences to Rev Malu and all family members. We’ve lost a great person, a dear colleague but in mourning her passing, we will cherish the memories, and the legacy of hard work and love she leaves behind. Rest in love Sosefina!"

The Principal of Malua Theological College, Reverend Dr. Vaitusi Nofoaiga, conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the family of Josey. 

He characterised Josey as a diligent and honest individual who wholeheartedly dedicated herself to the church and Malua.