Tyfilinata Asuega

Tyfilinata Asuega, 54, died at her home in Bremerton, Washington on June 5, 2006. She was born in Alameda, California on December 22, 1951 to Samuel & Diann (Faagata) Beddingfield. She worked for 20 years as a self-employed Chef of International Cuisine, retiring in 2001. "Aunty Ty", to many, embodied the wisdom of the ages, inner strength, a powerful love of life, and an indomitable spirit of adventure. Her independent nature combined with an unwavering spiritual faith allowed her to live life full out as she embraced all that life had to offer. In her earlier life in American Samoa, she took great pride in supporting diversity and civil rights, and encouraged others to follow their dreams, She opened her heart to those in need and became a strong voice for juvenile diversion and compassionate behavior. Always youthful at heart, she easily related to youth of the time, be it the 70's, 80's, 90's or 2000's through dignity and grace. "Aunty Ty" always involved in the local Asian-Pacific community, especially the youth, worked with the Pacific Shores Continuation School children in Redondo Beach, California before moving to Washington where she embraced the Samoan community with her generous heart and open home. The mother of two daughters, Ty's natural desire to care for others in their time of weakness quickly grew her little family into a large extended one as she continued to give much without expectation of anything in return except respect. Her giving nature and service to others grew into a career of catering in the Pacific Northwest as co-owner of the Cafe International, a euro-style restaurant in Poulsbo, Washington. By offering flavors from around the world, Ty discovered another expression for diversity through her creative cuisine. A Samoan-German by birth, Ty loved to dance and "get her island groove", and spend time on the lakes of Mt Rainier or walking through the Pacific Northwest rainforest. But her beloved home of American Samoa continued to call to her and she would stand on the sands of the west coast beaches speaking across the oceans to her fale (house) in response. Tyfilinata Asuega created a safe and nurturing place for anyone in need. She lived with great courage which held her in good stead during the rough patches of life. Her unwavering passion for life will continue to inspire others to become greater than the sum of their experiences. Aunty Ty was truly the Great Mother of all. Surviving are daughters Ruby (Stanley Pulu) Solario and Sophia (Michael Stewart) Solario, both of Bremerton; brother Joe Beddingfield of California; sisters Lisi (Gary) Jackson of Virginia, Irene Hernandez of California, Rose (Bill) Laolagi of California, Anna Baker of California, and Donna (Pita) Gurr of American Samoa. Memorial Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at Rill's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard, Washington. Memorial donations may be made to The Cleansing Way, P.O. Box 1547, Eatonville, WA 98328.