Motherhood Matters: Ogden mom honored for putting family first

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SALT LAKE CITY -- Motherhood is more than just a stage of life marked by the presence of children. The true definition of a mother is a woman who teachers, inspires, nurtures and loves those she comes into contact with.

Lesieli Taukiuvea of Ogden is one such woman.

Like most mothers, she tears up when talking about her family. She considers them to be her most prized possession.

Born in the South Pacific islands of Tonga, Lesieli learned to love at home. "My people are very family oriented people," she said.

Life in Tonga was hard. Luxuries were scarce.

"My dad has got to work to put us all through school. We have a small house for 10 kids and my parents. Seeing that, I did not want to see that happen to my kids. I wanted a better life for them," she explained.

Lesilei saw education as the key to a better future. She went to school at BYU-Hawaii, and sacrificed to move her family to the states in 1992.

Her daughter, Fataimoeloa Taylor, said, "Everything that she does is for her family."

Lesieli has seven children and 15 grandchildren. While she could be enjoying retirement, her day-to-day life instead is filled with running after four young grandchildren. She loves to do whatever she can to help her family. That includes being the babysitter, banker and baker.

Motherhood Matters: Ogden mom honored for putting family first

"She is so selfless," Fatai said. "She makes sure that we are OK, that her grandkids are OK, her son-in-laws are OK before she does anything for herself."

You could say that's a trait of a true mother. Lesieli's day starts at 3 a.m. as she prepares lunch for her husband and later sends children off to school. With four young grandchildren in her care, her day never slows down.

"If I just love them, regardless of whatever the situation, everything will be OK," Lesieli said.

That dedication of a mother inspired a local company to give back. The Reed Team building services donated service worth more than $6,000.

The company's Whitey Reed told Lesieli, "Our company is going to install a new furnace and air conditioning system in your house so you will no longer have to get on the roof and worry about that swamp cooler."

The Taukiuveas were very grateful.

Today KSL TV's Studio 5 kicks off a campaign called "Motherhood Matters." It celebrates motherhood as a way of life that empowers our best selves.