Leba Qarase: 'Luckiest Woman In The World To Have Married Lai'

"Moce mada moce noqu Daulomani."

Those were the final words of farewell Leba Qarase uttered as she said goodbye to her late husband, former Prime Minister and Turaga na Tui Kobuca sa Bale Laisenia Qarase.

Hundreds of people from around Fiji were at the Mavana Methodist Church, Vanuabalavu, Lau to farewell the late Mr Qarase in a moving thanksgiving service on Wednesday.

Pallbearers carry the casket of the late former prime minister into his home 'Naivaka'. Photo: Inoke Rabonu

VANUA

Na Turaga na Tui Mavana, Ratu Ene Colavanua while speaking on behalf of the Vanua said: "Qarase was a true son of Vanuabalavu."

"Laisenia was a visionary leader and he worked hard to see his plans come to life.

"His plans for the island was one that would benefit everyone, one that would unite not only villagers on Mavana but Vanuabalvu as a whole."

Ratu Colavanua said Mr Qarase would be missed as he was a man with little words but big actions.

FAMILY

Inoke Buadromo while speaking on behalf of the Qarase family said: "Mr Qarase was a true family man, though he had enagaged himself as a leader in Government and other capacities, family was always his priority."

He said he loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren equally and always had time for them.

Mr Buadromo said the late Mr Qarase's mom was a direct Jew descendant of the Borman family who had settled in Vanuabalavu in the 1900's.

He is survived by his wife Leba Qarase, seven children, 26 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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