Eileen "Leen" Vanisi

Eileen “Leen” Vanisi was born on March 28, 1972 in San Mateo, California. She passed into eternal life on September 26, 2024 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 52. 

Leen was a Trinity High School Trojan graduate who excelled at shot put, discus, and basketball, earning her a full athletic scholarship to UT Austin for shot put. Her records still stand 35 years later, and in 2006 she was inducted into the H.E.B. ISD Sports Hall of Fame. 

At the University of Texas at Austin, she was an elite member of the UT Women’s Track and Field Team. There, she became a Three-time NCAA champion and Eight-time All-American in shotput. She also earned her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. In 2010, she was inducted into UTA’s Hall of Honor. 

Leen was proud to say she’d been working since she was 11 years old, (unbeknownst to her employers) pushing carts at DFW Airport. She was not one to sit idly and had a host of jobs throughout her life, ranging from collegiate assistant coaching for Texas Tech’s men’s track & field to Ramp Supervisor to Resource Teacher to Customer Service at American Airlines. All the while, training student athletes in her free time and earning her Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning with Technology from UAGC. Even with her accolades and busy lifestyle, her main priority was always caring for her family. 

In 2001, Leen had a heart attack while at work that changed the trajectory of her life. Continuous open-heart surgeries over the years took a toll on her body, and for the first time in her life, her family had to take care of her. Despite doctors counting her out numerous times, she managed to fight for another 23 years. “I had to learn to do things on my own. Motivate myself. Push myself...Now that I’m in the position I am with my health issues...it’s like the same thing. It’s just like competition for me. Block everything else out. Focus on what I need to focus on and try to be positive and stay strong.” 

Leen will be remembered for her caring, her kindness, her drive, her strength, and most of all her motivational spirit. “You’re not alone, we all went through the same stuff. It’s just, there’s obstacles you have to overcome & as long as you stay focused on those & what you need to do, you CAN do things you thought you could never do before.” Rest in Heavenly peace to National Status, our sister, our friend, our AUNTIE. 

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Andrew “Drew” Kata and Loretta Fakailoatonga. 

Eileen is survived by her parents, Simoa and Manu Fakailoatonga; siblings, Lat Ahovelo and husband, Esau, Lisi Fakailoatonga, Tanya Moeakiola and husband, Tangi, Ola Fakailoatonga and wife, Ha; Lousili Vanisi, Alex Vanisi, Mele Vanisi, Chris Vanisi, Kesaia Vanisi, Fine Vanisi, and Isreal Vanisi; her nieces and nephews who were so special to her: Legend, Mele, Simoa, Mili, Leni, Ane, Esau, Journey, Andrew, Kisi, Sake, Ola, Lotu, Nauvai, Losa, Legacy, Drew, and Joe; and many other extended family members and a host of friends. 

Visitation and Celebration will be held at 6:00 P.M., on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Hurst Stake Center located at 4401 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. 

Funeral services will begin at 9:00 A.M, Saturday, October 5, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 200 Fair Oaks Blvd, Euless, Texas 76039 with interment following at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. 

**Wear your Longhorns gear**