Adventures of Talei shared at Fiji memorial - Michelle Lam

Talei's memorial service speech - Michelle Lam

Saturday 20th August 2011 - Dakuibeqa village, Beqa Island, Fiji

I find myself still in disbelief that I am standing here on beautiful Beqa island for this sad occasion. When I think about Talei, I just remember what an amazing person she was to be around. She always knew how to have fun and enjoy all that the world offered her. On this occasion, I wanted to share some of the adventures we had together as a tribute to the wonderful life of Talei Aisha Jones.

I first met Talei in October 2004 at the High Holborn halls of residence in London. We had a great group of friends at the London School of Economics - Swarna, Nisha, Josie, Mikko, Monique, Shailey, Kwame, Amna, Rahul, Seb, just to name a few. Talei was a natural leader amongst us organizing nights out, hosting drinks and dinners. We went to music festivals at the Isle of Wight and Barcelona, attended exhibitions in London, had many fun nights out and of course many times we just sat, hung out and chatted about everything - music, funny stories, gossip, politics, boys … Talei was such easy company she made friends wherever she went and it was a natural gift of hers to bring people together.

In our third year at university, Talei came to visit in Hong Kong and we went to watch the Rugby Sevens together. We got up early to secure good seats in the south stands. She taught me to greet the Fijian team with 'Bula!' as they marched around the pitch, and she even pointed out the different rugby tactics the Fijians liked to use. I have to say I have been a keen supporter of the Fijian rugby team ever since.

The summer of 2007, after we graduated from LSE, was the best. Amongst all the other post-graduation celebrations, the six-week road trip we had in the US was easily one of the most memorable trips I've ever had. We explored stunning landscapes like the Antelope canyon and Colorado River, camped in the bright white sand dunes in New Mexico and even visited Graceland with all our hair done up in Elvis quiffs. When planning where to go and what to do Talei's attitude was always 'why not?' She was always fond of exploration and trying new things.

Two years later, in late 2009, I was surprised and happy to hear that Talei was moving to Fuzhou in China. She came to visit in Hong Kong every few months to sort out visas and for weekend breaks with the other English teachers. I was always so impressed at how much Chinese she had picked up - an intelligent girl as always. When she told me her Chinese name was 打雷 (pronounced: da3 lei2) meaning Thunder we all had a right giggle. In the end, we decided that 愛莎 (pronounced: ai4 sha1) meaning lovely was much more fitting to her beautiful self.

There are still many more memories of Talei as she lived life to its fullest. She had gone far too soon but she lived a wonderful and colorful life. In these few weeks, I have realized that life is short and life is so fragile, so Talei, my dear friend, I will remember to live in every moment and enjoy this wonderful world just like you did.

To all of Talei's friends and family - "In love she will be remembered, in memory she lives"

Memories shared at Talei's memorial, Izzy Appleyard

Talei and I first met when she was 13, and I, 12, in Scott House, the boarding house where we spent five fantastic and unforgettable years at Cranbrook School. With our mutual love of dancing, music and generally being young and silly teenagers, there was no doubt that we were going to be the best of friends. Talei impressed me with her stories of the Bahamas, her amusing ‘like wow oh my God that is so totally awesome’ American accent of the time, her house situated in both Canada and New York simultaneously (!) and quite importantly, her ENORMOUS CD collection. We spent many an evening making up dances together, listening to our favourite songs on repeat, writing out rap and rock lyrics on our homework diaries during prep time, dressing up in all sorts, teasing each other about boys, talking all night and making up rhymes when we couldn't get to sleep.

Prep diary lyrics

Dressing up in Scott

On occasion, talking at night past our official 'bed time' got us in to trouble with the housemistress, who punished us by waking us up early in the morning and getting us to pick up litter from the fields and sweeping the front yard! But even the chores and punishments, were turned into fun and laughs with Talei, when us Scott Girls were all in it together.

As we grew from girls to young ladies at Cranbrook, passing school exams, then going off to University and living and working in London, not much changed between us. We lived life together, even when apart. Throughout the years, our love of dancing progressed from making up Britney Spears routines in the boarding house bedrooms and performing in annual school dance shows, to dancing the night away in London clubs (Kensington Roof Garden was the favourite – and sadly also where we spent our last night out together). Our love for music progressed from rewinding our favourite bits of Backstreet Boys songs and singing in house music competitions (notably Walking in Memphis, You’ve Got A Friend, Tears in Heaven!), to going to gigs and working at music festivals. Our exciting adventures were no longer limited to Cranbrook and the green fields of Kent, but instead we explored London and many countries of the world together.

Janet Jackson dance - Cranbrook Fashion Show 2002 

Blaque dance - Cranbrook Dance Show 2004

Night at Roof Gardens (the night we drank with Prince Harry!)

One of the many things that made Talei truly special was her ability to make friends with anyone and everyone, and her willingness to give anything a go. She would say ‘hell yeah’ to anything and always be up for coming to see random bands and art exhibitions, to staying up all night watching back to back episodes of the OC (marathon session at Ed Gildeh’s house), camping in fields without tents, crowdsurfing to the front of stage at Offspring (Reading 2002) and even escaping the boarding house the night before a GCSE History exam to attempt to get into a Lenny Kravitz gig in London, which she didn’t even have tickets for! Leaving us to cover for her and Sophie, handing school uniforms through the window the following morning! (Does that make you think twice about sending your kids to boarding school? Well it definitely shouldn’t!)

I will be forever thankful to Talei as she has been my companion for so many adventures whilst growing up. She's been my partner in crime, fellow dance lover, music and culture appreciator, a patient listener, even like a replacement boyfriend at times, but most of all, she was like a sister to me. Her family is my family, my friends, her friends - and vise versa. I really feel like even if not of the same blood, we were made of the same essence.

For ten years of my life, Talei was an influential part of almost every memory of mine. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have experienced half of the brilliant things I have in life and wouldn't have grown up to be the person I am today.

Thanks to her I was honoured with the incredible experience of drinking kava and incredible nights of dancing whilst celebrating Christmas in the most beautiful island in the world, where she will now lay to rest in the gorgeous sunshine, amongst the clear turquoise seas. 

Fiji 2004

Talei, you will be a part of me forever and will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew you. I will never forget all the times we had together, it's just devastating that there couldn't have been more. But be things as they will, and I will be eternally grateful that you shared so much of your wonderful life with me.

Rest in peace lovely.

Memories from Talei's brother, Felix Colatanavanua

1985 – I remember our mom coming to me and asked me to sit-down.  We went outside to the back porch and talked.  “Felix, we are expecting an addition to the family.  You will have a baby sister soon” 

I was excited and asked many questions.  As Talei grew in our mother belly, I remember singing to her and letting her know that I will be a good big brother.  On November 29^th 1985, Dad came home to tell me that Talei was born.  When I met her for the first time, it was amazing.  I gave her a kiss and promised myself that I will be the best big brother in the whole world.

Years passed and Talei grew up strong and smart.  She coped everything I did, I learnt to play the Piano, she learnt to the play the Piano.  I got a new video game, she learnt it too.  No matter what I wanted to learn she wanted to learn it too, and funny thing is she was always better than me.  At first i didn’t like it, but in the end I accepted it and told her to learn all the good things that I can teach and to learn from my mistakes (I make many).

Talei was the kindest sweetest person I know.  I looked up at her for this.  She would forgive very easily and she would always have the right words to say.  She has lived around the world, a true child of the World.  I know she touched many people around the world and from what I have read since her passing, proves it. 

I am grateful that I spent last Christmas with you, and that you got to meet D’tui and Julia.  I am grateful that you meet little Ruby and you represented us at Len and Georgia’s Wedding.  Talei taught me to forgive and love.  She taught me that life is Talei – For those who don’t know, Talei means in Fijian – Precious. 

Talei, you have left a pain that will never heal, but the memories of your life and how you touched mine will keep me strong.  Say Hello and give a Big hug and Kiss to my son David.  I know that you two will have a great time together till the time comes that I am to journey across to join you two.

Love always

Your Big Brother

Felix