Tonga’s Queen Nanasipau’u joined dignitaries and other mourners at the funeral service of First Lady Neomai Tu’itupou Pōhiva in Nuku’alofa Wednesday.
Neomai is the wife of Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva.
Her funeral service was held at the Free Wesleyan church in Sopu, where she worshipped.
She was laid to rest at Telekava 1 community cemetery in Kolomotu’a,
Kaniva News reports the Prime Minister’s 70-year-old wife, “died peacefully” after a long battle with cancer.
Following the news of her death, thousands took to Facebook to show their respects for the woman most regarded as the “mother of democrats” in Tonga.
She has been described as “a kind-hearted lady” who always stood by her husband until the end of her life in his long time fight to bring democracy to Tonga.
The funeral service was also attended by members of the nobility including the Speaker of Parliament, Lord Fakafanua and Lord Nuku.
Cabinet Ministers and government CEOs also attended, along with many government senior officials.