Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —  The American Samoa Community College has joined the family and friends of Ms. Cherylmoanamarie “Cherie” Ripley in mourning her passing earlier this month. Until her retirement in 2024, Ms. Ripley contributed decades of service to the College, and was recognized by many as one of the pillars of its day-to-day operations. She was by far the most experienced of the College’s administrative staff, and is remembered for her in-depth knowledge and congenial personality.

Ms. Ripley’s tenure with ASCC dates all the way back to 1977, when she took the position of Secretary to the President. After three years with the Office of the President, Ms. Ripley transitioned to another secretarial role with the Instructional Support Division, under which she also served as an Administrative Assistant and Computer Lab monitor. In 1985 she joined the College’s Adult Education Department, once again as an Administrative Assistant, a title she took with her in her next transition to the Office of the Dean of Instruction in 1997. In 2003, Ms. Ripley joined the Institutional Affairs Division as its Website Administrator, serving until she became Special Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs four years later. Ms. Ripley remained with the Division of Academic Affairs until her retirement in 2024.

ASCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Siamaua Ropeti, with whom Ms. Ripley spent her final years at the College, still expresses appreciation for her expertise. “As my special assistant”, recalled Dean Ropeti, “Cherie faithfully executed her role in all capacities, encompassing responsibilities such as initiating contracts, submitting time sheets and memos on behalf of the Division, doing waivers, assisting with graduation, preparation for Orientation and so much more.  

“Even after she retired, she continued to visit ASCC and mingle with her friends and colleagues until she was no longer able to do so. We still feel her presence, and take inspiration from her selfless dedication, her tautua to any fa'alavelave involving ASCC employees, and her commitment to order, instruction and quality service.

“To people who knew her, she was the epitome of professionalism. Our office considered her the elder sister, the advisor, and the glue that held the Division of Academic Affairs Office together. She will never be forgotten.”

Looking back on her decades with ASCC, as she prepared to retire, Ms. Ripley wrote in a 2024 letter to then-President Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato, “I will be tossing in the towel from my post as ASCC Special Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs.  I will be leaving the Halls of Ivy of the American Samoa Community College after almost 50 years of dedication and returning to Sogi, Leone, Fofo County to focus wholeheartedly on my Ripley family, my village of Leone functions, and Siona Le Mauga Pa’ia Congregational Christian Church of Leone until I am called home to serve our Heavenly Father.”

Ms. Ripley received that call in August 2026, bringing full circle a career during which she played a vital supporting role in the evolution of ASCC. 

The administration, faculty and staff of the College offer their most sincere condolences to the Ripley family, and in the words of Interim President Sonny J. Leomiti, “Those of us who knew Cherie, and that is practically all of us, will always remember her with great fondness.”  

[Editor’s Note: Samoa News offers its sincere condolences to Cherie’s family at her passing. She was a friend from days we all began by respecting the journey we each chose to take, the road traveled. While, we did not always stay in contact, whenever met, we greeted each other with a smile full of grace, acknowledging respect for our choices. Manuia lou malaga Cherie — may God’s blessings be yours.]