Phyllis Hall Ioane

Phyllis Hall Ioane, a longtime resident of Salt Lake City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the age of 93.

Born on July 21, 1932, in Springville, Utah, Phyllis was the daughter of Theron Smith Hall and Dorothy Lufkin Davenport Hall. She cherished her idyllic childhood on the family farm with her three brothers and three sisters.

Phyllis graduated from Springville High School on May 29, 1950. She continued her education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, graduating with honors on June 7, 1954, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science. During her time at BYU, she was an honored member of the Gamma Phi Omicron - Honorary Home Economics Society.

A life dedicated to education and service, Phyllis taught at Parowan High School for one year before embarking on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was called to the Samoan Islands, entering the mission home in Salt Lake City in August 1955. Her voyage to Samoa, departing from San Francisco, California, took 15 days, with stops in Vancouver, B.C., Honolulu, and Suva, Fiji. Much of her mission was spent teaching at the Church College of Western Samoa (CCWS) in Pesega, Western Samoa.

After returning to Utah in November 1957, Phyllis taught at Springville High School and then at the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah, where she developed a deep affection for her Navajo students. However, the call of Samoa was strong, and she returned in January 1960 to work as a paid teacher at CCWS in Pesega. In August 1962, she moved to Mapusaga, American Samoa, to teach at a newly established LDS Church high school.

It was at Mapusaga High School that Phyllis reconnected with Pitone Ioane, whom she had first met during her mission. Pitone returned to teach at Mapusaga after receiving a scholarship and graduating from the Church College of Hawaii (now BYU Hawaii). Their love blossomed, and they were married for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple on August 19, 1965.

Phyllis wholeheartedly embraced the fa’aSamoa, demonstrating unwavering love and support for her husband. In 1966, they moved back to Pesega when Pitone received the high chief title of Pula from his mother’s village, Saleimoa. As the consummate chief's wife, Phyllis was welcoming and loving to her extended Samoan family, raising many nieces and nephews alongside their own children.

Phyllis devoted over 30 years to serving in the LDS Church schools in Samoa. In 1980, she and her husband, Pula Pitone, moved their family to Vaiola, Savaii, to establish the Church College of Savaii. Pula served as principal, taught full-time, and oversaw three elementary schools, with Phyllis serving as the other half of the faculty. They worked tirelessly, adding a new grade each year until the high school was fully functioning.

Both Phyllis and Pula were devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, living lives of faithful service. Phyllis served in various capacities, including as a teacher and president in the Primary, Sunday School, and Relief Society at the ward, stake, and mission levels. She leveraged her farm-acquired skills from Utah to bless the lives of Samoan women, teaching them how to make jam with tropical fruits, and offering lessons in sewing and cooking. Phyllis embodied service and love, selflessly sharing her knowledge and skills with anyone in need.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her beloved husband and sweetheart, Pula Pitone Ioane, on July 3, 1985; her sons-in-law, Eneliko Lauti and Niko Gordon; and her cherished great-granddaughter, Jayden Mariner.

She is survived by her seven children: Carnetra Ioane of Lehi, Utah; Salamasina A’aone (Pepe) Lee of Salt Lake City, Utah; Noelapo’omaikalani Ioane of Riverton, Utah; Dorothy Aneleata Gordon of Mapleton, Utah; Phyllis F. (Steve) Fetalaiga of Mapleton, Utah; Burton Junior (Shera) Ioane of Mapleton, Utah; and Pitone Theron (Mareta) Ioane of Clearfield, Utah; along with 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rose Park 15th Ward Chapel (1155 West 1200 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116). The Family’s service will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by the Bishop’s service at 12:30 p.m. A viewing for family and friends will be held at the chapel on Thursday evening, May 14, 2026, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., and on Friday prior to the service from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Interment will take place at the Springville City Cemetery at 3:00 p.m.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

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