Taveuni Burial for Adi Ateca Ganilau
The eldest daughter of the late President, Prime Minister and paramount chief of Lau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and wife of Ratu Epeli Ganilau, Adi Ateca Moce Ganilau, has passed way.
She was 67 years old.
This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun yesterday by the chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council and a member of the Mataqali Valelevu at Somosomo, Taveuni, Ratu Jekesoni Yavala.
Ratu Jekesoni said members of the mataqali held a meeting to finalise arrangements for Adi Ateca’s funeral. Because she belonged to the Catholic faith, there would be a Mass of the Resurrection for Adi Ateca next Tuesday, November 27 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva The Mass of the Resurrection is a mass for the dead in which the celebrant wears white vestments to symbolise the joyous resurrection of the dead.
Ratu Jekesoni said a Government vessel would leave for Taveuni on Sunday to transport mourners to Somosomo Village.
After the mass on Tuesday Adi Ateca would be flown to Taveuni.
She will lie in residence at Somosomo for a night. On Wednesday, November 28, there will be another mass at the Wairiki Catholic Church before Adi Ateca is laid to rest at the chiefly burial ground at Vuniduva in Somosomo Village.
Adi Ateca was married to former RFMF commander and National Alliance Party leader Ratu Epeli Ganilau, who is the son of the late Governor-General and President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau.
They have two sons and two daughters.
Adi Ateca was elected Chairperson of the Lau Provincial Council on July 11, 2011, succeeding her brother, Roko Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
She defeated veteran politician Filipe Bole by 17 votes to 15, but resigned the next day in Mr Bole’s favour.