Cover image courtesy of Khristopher “Squint” Sandifer.
In a room full of faces of all shades, after a week of celebrations honoring her life with Samoan customs, a long line of community members tearfully walked the aisle to the casket at First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto to say their final goodbyes. Amidst tears, murmurs, and whispers, East Palo Alto (EPA) Mayor Antonio López’s declaration of August 10 as Mama Dee Day was immediately met with rapturous applause.
That date marks the day that Apollonia Grey Uhilamoelangi, known as Mama Dee for her selfless dedication to others, passed away. As the news spread, heartbreak rippled throughout San Mateo County as community members mourned the loss of a local hero.
Mama Dee’s Achievements
Born in Samoa, Mama Dee moved to EPA in 1980, four years before the city’s incorporation. Living in a community of diverse and vivid cultures—predominantly Black, Latino, and Polynesian people—she quickly became involved in city leadership. She worked at the EPA Youth Development Center in 1984 to support Pacific Islander families. As the city faced problems with funding, drugs, and crime, Mama Dee never stopped working with community leaders and non-profits to find ways to support the city’s youth.
“We are a city of immigrants, where our stories start from somewhere else. Mama Dee was a mother who helped communicate and encourage unity across all cultural lines.”
Kiazi Malonga
In the ‘80s, Mama Dee led reading and tutoring programs to increase youth literacy rates. In the ‘90s, she started a Polynesian dance program and eventually hosted the Princess of Tonga, for whom a group of Tongan-American kids performed a traditional dance. The princess was amazed that they were “bringing alive and living our culture” despite being born in the US.
Mama Dee and her husband, known as Papa Senita, founded Anamatangi Polynesian Voices in 1997, a name granted by the King of Tonga, “to advocate for Pacific Islanders through cultural enrichment and influence of local policies.” Mama Dee’s children will continue to lead Anamatangi in her legacy.
“Anamatangi isn’t only a non-profit to me, it’s more like a family. Mama Dee was a grandmother to us,” said Grace, a young member of Anamantangi.
Mama Dee’s impact went international in 2022 when Anamatangi filled “a 787 [plane] with supplies and [flew] it to the island” to those affected by Tonga’s volcanic eruption by working with UPS, Stanford Medicine, and Sutter Health.
A true pioneer in bringing the city to where it is today, Mama Dee is widely regarded as one of EPA’s founding mothers and leaders.
“Anamatangi isn’t only a non-profit to me, it’s more like a family. Mama Dee was a grandmother to us.”
Grace, a young member of Anamantangi
Mama Dee’s Funeral Services
To celebrate her life according to Samoan practices, Mama Dee’s family hosted a week of events after her passing. With singing, dancing, feasting, and speeches, people from across the U.S. paid their respects to a woman who impacted everyone she met. Many brought intricate cultural rugs to the mourning family, a Samoan tradition that reflects communal support and generosity.
“Her life was an honor and I honor it,” her husband, Senita Uhilamoelangi—also known as Papa Senita—said in between tears at her Thursday funeral.
Even after her passing, the mention of her name brought people together. At these various events, attendees wore cultural attire that reflected the Polynesian, Black, and Latino demographics in EPA. Despite losing someone so dear, “We still have to praise God that he led her to us. He gave her to us so that we could be here together,” said Mama Dee’s daughter Shanna Uhilamoelangi.
Kiazi Malonga, a Congolese drummer who grew up in EPA with the Uhila family, said, “We are a city of immigrants, where our stories start from somewhere else. Mama Dee was a mother who helped communicate and encourage unity across all cultural lines.”
“I grew very familiar with Tongan and Samoan culture through her being a strong representative of it,” Malonga added. “I’ve been able to identify a lot of similarities between Polynesian and Congolese culture.” At her celebration of life, Malonga performed a traditional Congolese song to honor one’s ancestors with joy and reflection. As he drummed, everyone danced around him, rhythmically chanting ‘Mama Dee.’
Mama Dee Day and Anecdotes
“It’s the least we can do,” Mayor López said about the proclamation of Mama Dee Day in EPA and San Mateo County. “We’re not just mourning her, it’s a call to action. If we want to honor her legacy, we have to continue her work and tell her story.”
“Mama Dee is a legend. She gave hope to the younger generations and the generations before us. Even though we look a different way than others, we’re able to use our voice to better things.”
Moala, young Anamatangi member
Marlayna Tuiasosopo, a Samoan woman, met Mama Dee while in college at Stanford. After months of feeling like a “fish out of water” there, being just one of six other Samoan students, Mama Dee invited Tuiasosopo and the other Samoan students to EPA for a Polynesian cultural dance celebration, assuring Tuiasosopo that she wasn’t alone.
Later, Tuiasosopo found out that Mama Dee knew her grandmother—whom Mama Dee called ‘auntie’—and that Tuiasosopo’s grandma inspired Mama Dee’s leadership. “When Mama Dee died, I felt like I lost a family member,” Tuiasosopo said.
“Mama Dee is a legend. She gave hope to the younger generations and the generations before us. Even though we look a different way than others, we’re able to use our voice to better things,” young Anamatangi member Moala said.
In the final months of her life, Mama Dee continued to advocate for what was right and loved all those around her. In the hospital, moments before her eternal rest, she asked her husband to give her a kiss. Contently accompanied by the love of her life, she closed her eyes, leaving so much behind for future generations.
To hear more testimonials and eulogies services see these streams: Mama Dee Funeral Service, Mama Dee Family Funeral, and Burial, and Mama Dee Celebration and Reception. To learn more about Mama Dee’s life see 25 year Anamatangi Celebration, Mama Dee’s Interview with EPA Community Archive, and Bay Area Supports for Tonga Volcanic Eruption.
