Ferila Agaleva'a Primus

In loving memory of Ferila Agaleva’a Primus (Alailefaleula), mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt, passed away at the age of 72 on September 13, 2025 in Brooklyn, New York. Born on January 10, 1953 to parents Pulelei’ite Agleva’a Alailefalela and Tuioleloto Alailefaleula (Atuatasi), she was the third of thirteen children. Ferila would go on to build a life that spanned across thousands of miles.

At a young age with a few younger siblings, she accompanied their father Pulelei’ite on his journey from American Samoa to Hawai’i. He would open and pastor his own church, First Leeward Samoan Congregational Church of Waianae. Growing up in Hawai'i, Ferila completed her school years, graduating in 1971 from Waianae High School.

Ferila met her husband, Stanley, who was stationed at Fort Shafter Army Base in Oahu, marrying in 1976. Once married, later moving to New York, where she planted her roots and grew her family. After years in the New York City Board of Education, she decided to go back to school at Touro College, earning a Master's of Science in Education / Special Education and Instructional Technology. She spent her career with the Board of Education, where she later retired in 2021.

Throughout her life, Ferila has touched many with her witty nature, quick comebacks, and genuine heart. To know her is to have known she would give the clothing off of her back to those in need and that she always put her family first. In her down time she enjoyed music, and her favorite netflix series; Heartland.

Ferila A. Primus was predeceased by her father, Agaleva’a (Pulelei’ite); mother, Tuioleloto; husband, Stanley, Sr.; daughter, Margaret T. Valentine (Billy) ; son, Stanley, Jr.; sisters: Agatui Tiolu and Lagimavae Maui; and her brothers Muamua Alailefaleula, Malaki Alailefaleula  and                    John Alailefaleula.

She is survived by her daughters, Shaylah L. Turpin (Ernest), and Rose A. Primus; her grand-children Sasha T. Alailefaleula- Rodriguez, Kiana M. Tate, Patience A. Quinonez, Pulelei’ite M. Primus;, her great grand-children Noah T. Rodriguez and Alani G. Everette; sisters, Asenati Palaita, Saofaiga Faitau, Rose Sa’au; brothers, Mulimuli Alailefaleula, and Joshua Alailefaleula, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will all cherish her memory.