Rebecca Tepora Jonassen
January 17, 1966 - December 25, 2018
Obituary
Rebecca Tepora Lavatai was born in South San Francisco, California on January 17th, 1966 to her mother, Tautala Ueligitone and father, Sonny Lavatai, and was raised by her mother.
Becca lived in California until her family moved to Seattle in 1977 to support her Uncle’s ministry in the First Samoan Full Gospel Pentecostal Church. Seattle has been her home ever since and she was proud to be a 206 native. #GoHawks
As a child, Becca attended Columbia Elementary in California and Mercer Middle School in Seattle. Though she did not formally graduate from high school, Becca went on to receive her GED and graduate from Evergreen College in her latter years.
In 1986, Becca married Christian Jonassen. Though they did not stay married, they remained friends, and more importantly, parents to their two children, Christina and Jeremy.
Becca was a wonderful example of great work ethic and determination. No matter what the job was, whether it was her many years in management at McDonalds or other miscellaneous jobs along the way, Becca was hard working and committed. Despite her education, Becca was determined to succeed, and her drive was evident. She made no excuses, she worked hard and earned the respect of her peers along the way.
In 2008, Becca’s life was changed dramatically during her internship at Urban Impact, a non-profit organization that works to break the cycle of social, material and spiritual poverty in families. Becca was with Urban Impact for 8 years, first as an intern and then working all the way up to the Director of Rainier Health and Fitness (RHF). At RHF, Becca grew a passion to help people get healthy both physically and spiritually. Though she loved it all, her favorite program was Silver Sneakers – a class for healthy seniors!
In 2016, God fulfilled another dream He had placed in Becca’s heart years prior – to open a shelter to help women and children. Becca was led to join the staff of Northwest Family Life at Penny’s Place, a therapeutic transitional home for women and children fleeing domestic violence. She spent the last two years of her life passionately serving at Penny’s Place, loving and giving her life to ensuring the safety and growth of the women and children God placed in her care.
Becca loved her community of faith and called Emerald City Bible Fellowship home for 10 years. But most of all, Becca loved God with all of her heart and that is the reason why she was able to love so well – it was her love for God that people felt any time they were around her.
After being diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon cancer early in 2017 and given just 6 months to live, she courageously battled the cancer and continued defying the odds. And even when her physical health began to fail, her love never did. Becca was an amazing woman. She cherished time with family, adored her friends, and was an absolute joy, a light in any room she was in.
She was brave until her last breath, which she took surrounded by her family. Becca has joined her beloved mother, Tautala and her beautiful daughter Christina in eternity. She leaves her legacy to her son Jeremy and her family, both by blood and by blessing.
Becca is deeply missed by her family and friends and will be until the day they are reunited in eternity.
I was thinking about Rebecca recently. I worked with her & Chris at McDonald’s in the 80s. She was a such a nice lady. I am saddened to hear of her passing.