Makereta Ranige Chand

With deep sadness, we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother, Makereta Ranige Chand (nee Panapasa), of Coquitlam, B.C., on June 15, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on February 28, 1947, in Suva, Fiji, she spent her childhood and early adult years in various towns in Fiji. In November 1973, she moved with her then husband and father of her children to Canada, moving between Ucluelet and Port Alberni, B.C. several times before settling in Port Alberni in 1976. In 1987, Makereta and the family moved to Coquitlam, where she would spend most of the rest of her days as a devoted mother to her three children, and loving grandmother to her grandchildren.

Makereta loved working in her gardens, volunteering, exploring new places, and trying new foods. She was also an avid lover of history, geography, politics, current events, sports, and music. After medical conditions hampered her mobility, she would often spend time watching documentaries; news and current event programs; a soccer game, golf tournament, tennis match, or rugby match. She loved to spend countless hours talking and laughing with whoever stopped by to say hello, especially her dear children.

Makereta is survived by her children Rebecca Livingstone, Sosefo (wife Laleena), and Andrew; her grandchildren Mathew Livingstone, June Livingstone, Rasik Chand, and Jiyah Chand; her sister Betty (Sosefo) Avaiki; nieces and nephews; and numerous relatives in Rotuma, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. She was pre-deceased by her dear mother Emeli Menrou Saumative, her father Eliesa Vakara Panapasa (Paneasa), and her son-in-law Wayne Livingstone.

We wish to thank all her devoted caregivers, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, and other medical staff, especially those at Foyer Maillard and Queen’s Park Care Centre, who made the last chapters of our Mom’s life so much more comfortable, allowing us to spend more cherished time with her. We will all dearly miss her joyful, happy-go-lucky attitude, and her wisdom.