FUNERAL BROCHURE FOR MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA

In L oving Memory Of Martha AYAMBA ABARIGA 1935 - 2022

ORDER OF OFFICIATING PRIEST Burial Service FOR THE LATE Rev. Father MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA Paul Kapothiana Ignatius The introductory Rites The sign of the cross and In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA Liturgical greetings Biography Opening Prayer The Liturgy of the word 1st Reading: [Wisdom 3:1-6] Responsorial Psalm: [Song] 2nd Reading: [Romans 6:3-4, 8-9] Gospel: [John 11:21-27] Homily Prayer of the Faithful 2

The Liturgy of the Eucharistic In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA Collection Preparation and presentation of gifts Eucharistic Prayer Communion Rite The Lord’s Prayer Peace greetings Lamb of God Tributes Announcements Final blessing and Dismissal Blessing of the grave 3

4 In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA

Biography OF THE LATE MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA On behalf of the family, Madam Martha was born in Kpalwega In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA we would like to begin Bawku on 15th July 1935 to the late by thanking everyone Alhaji Musah Atiig (who was a Zongo here today and those chief of Tafo-Kumasi) and Madam who have sent their Shetu. She was the 5th of eight condolences, warm siblings. thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement. There has been a She had a very exciting childhood that tremendous outpour of love ranging anyone could wish for. Being Muslim, from phone calls, emails, text she enjoyed learning about the Qur’an messages, visits, meals, cash, and and Islamic teachings (Makaranta). kind donations for all these periods She was always a very confident child, that we have been grieving. This opinionated, who spoke her mind show of love means a lot to our family all of which defined her even to the as they have been very comforting. very end of her life. She loved to have The messages are also a testament fun and her favourite pastime was to the impact that the life of our dear playing the maracas, attending family mother has had on so many other and community ceremonies with her lives. peers where local entertainment such as ‘geng’, ‘Yang’ and Zisara’ was 5

performed. Bimoda dancers (Bim) Bawku and then to Nabudug where and Kusaal legendary violinists such her family lived permanently. as Akona Yarim, and Abuaki Tibil, to name but a few were her favourites. Although she did not receive any Madam Martha loved life, loved to dress to kill and she was larger than formal education, she had always life itself. known that education was key to At a young age, Madam Martha was robbed self-liberation and escape from of the opportunity to obtain formal poverty, and therefore education as it was frowned upon by many her biggest regret in families at that time, especially with girl life was not having education. In place of attending school, she had the opportunity got actively involved with helping her to go to school. She mother who traded in a wide range of goods. had always indicated Naturally, she learned the skills of trading that her passion was a and business at a very early age.  career in teaching and Part of her childhood her ultimate dream was also spent with her grandparents in Weriyanga, where she lived for a was to become an few years engaging in business and farming activities. Later she would education director return with her mother to Kpalwega, – perhaps because In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA the Ghana education service office was close to our house, and she occasionally went there to help with housekeeping. This unfulfilled dream, which she lived by anyway, earned her the nickname education director or director for short.  Her love for education was later translated into instilling in her children 6

the value of formal education which Ayamba Abariga) on January 5, 1960. In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA played a very important role in their Although her family were staunch education. Back then, books and Muslims, and fiercely resisted her writing materials were very hard to marriage to a non-Muslim, the come by, but as a trader, she had parents later yielded as they realised access to cement paper with which both were determined to stick to each they wrap goods in the market. She other and allowed their daughter to will often bring some of these home follow her heart. Following marriage, for her children to write on. Because she converted to Catholicism and there was no source of electricity or later changed her name from Alimatu conventional lighting at home, she Saadia to Martha. She attended often lets her children rely on the catechism classes for a few years light coming from the naked fire in and later got baptized and received the kitchen, while the evening meal is the sacrament of confirmation in the prepared, to practice how to write the 1980s. She became an active member numerals and alphabets.  of the Catholic church and the Christian mothers’ association where she was Much later after most of her children a committed member and served were grown-ups, she learned about with dedication and passion. She also the adult literacy program that was played a significant role in bringing in introduced in the 80s and embraced new converts, especially women from the opportunity and took advantage the Kpalwega and Kpalegu areas to and enrolled in evening classes which the Catholic religion. she took very seriously. Through the non-formal literacy program, Madam Martha was by all standards she learned to read and write basic a leader, not only in the family house kusaal. She also learned more about that comprised several households health promotion and prevention of but also in the village in general. She illness, and the importance of good would often rally the woman behind nutrition to mention but a few. her for communal farming activities, funerals or to help other families Madam Martha met and married her in need of a hand with building or husband of 60 years (Mr Nicholas picking the crops. She inspired and 7

In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA commanded great respect among members of the family and were her fellow women and members of free to stop by at any time with or her community. without her kids for whatever they needed. For instance, in the 1980s Madam Martha was an embodiment and 90s when food and water were of the concept of healthy living. She scarce, her home became a sanctuary believed in food as medicine and for hungry school children especially believed that family meals are key to students from Kpalwega junior and determining the overall health of the senior high as well as Bawku senior family (Di Sung Ani Tiim). She believed high students due to the proximity that the nutrient content of the food of these schools to the house. She we eat is as important as the conditions often fed most of these students and under which the food was cultivated. will cook several times a day as long For this reason, it wasn’t uncommon as they continue to visit. That is why to see her travel several miles away following her passing and among the from home to farms, with no human many outpours of love that came from settlement in sight, just to ensure far and wide, someone, now living in that the vegetables she was getting the United States said he remembers were free from contamination with her so well for the food she provided raw and untreated human excreta as them when they were in Bawku was the case with vegetables grown secondary school. Another person on farms around homes where open from the UK said he remembers her defecation was a common practice.  for her ‘kukuba’, a delicious local dish made with beans floor. Others She was such an excellent cook and remember her for her signature flour loved cooking and despised buying with assorted spices, a delicacy very food from outside. It afforded her a much cherished by most students. lot of joy and excitement to see that the family enjoyed her healthy meals.  She was funny and witty, and her laughter was infectious. She was Besides her family, she also opened also firm, disciplined, honest, humble, her home to many and provided food blunt and modest and succeeded and water to those who needed it. in instilling these qualities in her Her children’s friends were automatic 8

children and grandchildren. Up until her call In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA back home, Martha had been spending most of her time caring for and helping to raise her grandchildren, something from which she derives tremendous joy. As Stedman Graham puts it succinctly, “It is not what you have at the end of life, but it is what you leave behind that matters” You have run your race, you have made your mark, and you have impacted many lives. What you have left behind endureth forever. Paam Suum! Winam na mal teng ka fu digin! 9

TRIBUTE BY HusbMand artha was a phenomenal woman who was very kind, generous, loved deeply and supported me endlessly. In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA It was only by chance that I first met my wife while she was tending to her family cattle together with my brother who was also tending to ours. The moment I set eyes on her; I knew she was the one for me. She was the loveliest woman I had ever seen! Her poise; her grace and her beauty were stunning. “For if we live, we live to the Lord; Our courtship was quite difficult as and if we die, we die to the Lord. we had to overcome religious barriers Therefore, whether we live or die, we because I was catholic, and she on the are the Lord’s.” other hand grew up a staunch Muslim. Although her family was initially Romans14: 8(NKJV) against our courtship, we were both determined to stick with each other and her parents later relented, allowed her to follow her heart and gave their blessings. 10

As was the norm in those days, August of that year with a bouncing when a woman was of marriage and adorable baby girl (Mbon). She age, she undergoes preparations and was the apple of our eyes and brought grooming before joining the husband. us endless joy.  My wife-to-be had to travel to her grandparents’ place at Weriyanga to The day 28th of August will later complete these important rites. The become a remarkable and unique day distance that separated us meant in our lives because three years after we were not going to be seeing each our first child, and on the very day of other for some time. This obviously the 28th of August the lord blessed made me anxious, but I was greatly us again with another child, this time relieved when she finally returned a son (Paul) and three years after that to her parents in Kpalwega, and we on the same day of 28th August the eventually got married on 5th January lord gave us yet another son (Peter). 1960. She was still a practising Muslim Such unique dates could only have when we got married and I supported been heavenly as the odds of a family her during Ramadan as well as in anything required of her based on her In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA Islamic faith. In our first year of marriage, life became tough and unbearable, yet she was patient with me and stuck with me through thick and thin and through very rough and challenging times. Within the same period and contrary to culture, family and community expectations, the fruit of the womb was delayed, and this brought us extreme anxiety. But God heard our prayer and blessed us on the 28th of 11

In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA having three consecutive siblings role in raising our children and instilling born on the same birthday is said to in them great values. You were our be rare, about 1 in 130, 000 families. prayer warrior who never missed While this may seem a coincidence, the opportunity to travel to Grotto we saw it as divine and remembered in Kongo to intercede for the family it as the day the lord opened the in difficult times. You personified the gates of heaven and blessed our phrase “behind every successful man family. Following this miraculous date, is a good wife”  the lord subsequently blessed us with many more children, but this time You were a great mother to our round, they choose to break ranks children, a disciplinarian, a teacher, and came at different dates.  principled, very organized and detailed oriented. Your kitchen, You were very kind, hardworking, where you pass time at home, was caring, strong-willed and loved like a sanctuary and had an admirable deeply. The last sixty years together unwritten rule of no shoes or sandals have been amazing. I have benefited inside the kitchen.  immensely from your love and tender care. Even to the very end, In your last years, your pride was your you continued to feed me with your family and grandchildren. When you delicious meals. Even a day before you fell ill, we all thought it was nothing went to the hospital you had bought out of the ordinary and were hoping tubaani leaves to prepare tubaani for to see you discharged home because me. Little did I know those would be you were always fit and strong, little the last leaves you would ever get. did we know it was going to be the last These leaves are still with me as they I will ever set eyes on you again. You now have some sentimental value. had so much to live for and so much love to give and the love we shared You were a very supportive wife who will forever be cherished. Martha, my will always hold the fort for me in beautiful, sweet, wife, may you be at my absence or in difficult times. On peace, with God till we meet again. several occasions, you liquidated your trading capital to meet other financial Paam suum! Winnam na mal teng ka needs at home. While I often get fu digin passed the credit, you played a great 12

TRIBUTE BY Children EULOGY: TO A BELOVED MOTHER “Blessed by God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the suffering of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “A mother’s love for her child is like encountered you. You have fought a In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA good fight, you run your race in this nothing else in the world. It knows harsh and unforgiving world all the while taking care of your household no law, no pity, it dares all things and and tending to our emotional and physiological needs. Mother of many, crushes down remorselessly all that mother of all, our “Yapese”.  stands in its path.” Agatha Christie  The 7th of November 2021 will forever Yapese” mother of be remembered as the darkest day many, a strong and in our lives as your children. Before events that culminated on that virtuous woman, eventful day, you were one of the full of love for all those you cared for and for those who 13

In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA fittest and healthiest persons in the that it was only a matter of time family. Your remarkably strict healthy before we hear of your discharge. habits, including but not limited to It was therefore the greatest shock healthy eating and a penchant for ever to have received the sad news long-distance walks and your love of your passing. To be called home for being generally physically active - this way not only leave a very deep something we have all known about hole in our hearts but also in the you since we were young - made house and the community of which you healthy and fit for your age. No you were a vibrant member and a wonder your health checks always shining light. delivered textbook normal results and a clean bill of health. It was common When God means a for you to tease Mary and Mbon for creature to fly, he their lack of stamina and for being gives it wings. When out of shape. You also joked that you our great God meant could carry both and walk to Pusiga for us to have the and back (~20 miles). Such was your greatest mother, the enviably robust health.  best care ever and to be moulded in the way Therefore, when we first learned he God ordained us to about your ill health that morning, we be, he gave us you and thought it was one of those minor saw it fit for you to issues that would have no dominion be the vessel through over you and that you would be which we as your promptly treated and sent home. children were brought What made such convictions even stronger was the fact that only a day into this world. before, you had gone to the market to get tubaani leaves with plans of preparing tubaani for Mr. yam. Our hopes were later dashed when what was a treatable event suddenly took a downward turn for the worse. Even with that, we still had this rare hope 14

You took very good care of us. You satisfaction from watching us enjoy In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA paid attention to every detail of our your delicious meals while giving you lives. Even as a woman without formal honest feedback on what we thought education (your greatest regret in life), about the meal or what was missing. and as if to make up for it, you instilled in us at a very early age the value and You had that knack of picking up signs importance of formal education. You of early sickness long before they put kept a close eye on our education any of us down. We all remember to the extent of inquiring if we had always arguing with you that we homework from school and ensuring were not sick, but you insisted we that we did them. You helped us with were, and it was always a matter of our drawing assignments as those time before we realized that after did not require the employment of all, you were right. You knew that any complicated English words or headache, fever, and rigours, with mathematical formulas. “Education or without vomiting equal malaria director”, as you were affectionately and you would promptly administer called by several people. Such was chloroquine (those days) and para and your involvement in our education supplement it with the unpalatable that when Paul was learning the brew of neem leaves for drinking and numerals and had challenges with inhalation. You acted swiftly before writing the number 8 you assisted any sickness became severe. For by teaching him a trick, to write two these reasons, we hardly ever had circles, one on top of the other. You any need to go to the hospital. taught us hard work, self-discipline, and personal responsibility.  One of the most memorable times was when you would sit with us and Not only that, but you were also an speak about our respective lives and industrious woman who contributed future. It was very characteristic of you financially to our education when to make a mock introduction of each the going got tough and it did often of us to the world, spelling out our get tough. Your most cherished future credentials and achievements. hobby was executed in the kitchen You even spoke about our future where your delicious signature meals wives, husbands, and children and that nourish us immensely were what kind of fathers the boys will made. You derive unparallel joy and become and what kind of mothers the 15

In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA girls will be. Such narratives planted relatives still called you Alimata or seeds in our minds and inspired us Alimatu, others called you Yapese to think and dream big and aspire for (your common nickname), many greater heights. It was easy for each called you education director (your of us to bring to the present what our preferred mock title), some knew future will look like because you help you as the strong woman, yet still, us dream about it. some believed you possessed very rare and extraordinary abilities just How will we ever forget your after by virtue of your being strong-willed, diner folk tales ‘solima’ that saw many your courage, and deep-seated inner other kids in the neighbourhood strength. coming together to listen to you? Such stories were always laden with pearls Your penchant for speaking your of wisdom and life lessons ranging mind regardless of who you were from the benefit of hard work, the addressing coupled with your need to make hay while the sun principled nature made you come shines, and the choice of life partners across as difficult. We simply knew among other general guidelines for a you as our mother. The mother who fulfilled life.  loved us deeply teased us greatly and disciplined us severely when we You were exemplary and crossed those red lines (which we did demonstrated so many wonderful severally). You despised wrongdoing qualities. You were humble, selfless, and never hesitated to confront any compassionate, empathetic, witty, within or between us, the wider loyal, principled, disciplined, strong, family, and the community at large.  hardworking, curious, smart, prudent, a wonderful conversationalist, a great Your love is alive forever. The life listener, our compass, and above all lessons you taught, are deeply a woman rooted deep in her faith, a ingrained in our hearts. It is generally devout catholic!  said that if you train hard on the training ground the battlefield You touched so many friends and becomes easy. As life will always acquaintances beyond our immediate throw one a curve ball, you equipped and extended family and were us well to handle such challenges called different names by different with relative ease because of the people. Your siblings and very close kind of training you took us through. 16

You taught us humility, modesty, and you Mom all day. Your transition from In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA quiet confidence devoid of arrogance.  this earthly stage will certainly not diminish our love for you as we smile Your generally very health-conscious thinking of you, as our eyes well up, nature with no underlying chronic and as tears wash our faces, Mma!  medical condition made you a suitable candidate to live to be a thousand, We have always known you to work but as Shakespeare aptly captured it on the side of the Angels, and now you in Julius Caesar, “death the necessary are with them. “God is there”, as you end of man will come when it will would say, and we are certain you are come” and indeed it did come when with Him now, wrapped in his arms in we least expected it and dealt us a eternal embrace. Therefore, we take painful blow and rob us and the world heart knowing that He is here with us of you. We, however, take consolation and will see us through these trying in the prospect of seeing you again in times. “Yapese”, rest easy. We sorely the resurrection.  miss you here, we will miss your love, meals, and sweet loud and infectious It’s our prayer that God will keep you laughter and you will always be in our safe till we meet in the new world hearts. Till we meet again. to come. In addition to the deep pain of losing you, your passing has “And God shall wipe away all tears left a huge vacuum in our hearts from their eyes; and there shall be and lives, and the dynamics of our no more death, neither sorrow, nor family are forever changed. That crying, neither shall there be any notwithstanding, we are incredibly more pain: for the former things are grateful to God for blessing us with passed away.” Revelations 21:4  a truly amazing Mom for all these years. We are beyond proud to wear Paam sum ti ma sung! Winnam na mal this badge as your children and to call teng ka fu digin 17

18 In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA

TRIBUTE BY Siblings YAKUBU AND ZENABU Alimata though our we were younger, we remember her In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA big sister, was like for her straight talk and no-nonsense a mother to us. nature, little wonder she embodied Because she was these qualities even as an adult and much older than us, an older woman.  she often stepped in to take up a role of a mother and cared When we grew older and got married, for us when our mother was away on she became a great mother and other assignments such as trading or sister-in-law to our spouses, who travelling to other towns for several adored and respected her greatly for days for trading purposes as was her maturity and objectivity. It was often the case in those days. When not uncommon for her to step in and resolve misunderstandings between us and our spouses.  You were such a great pillar even in our family. When our mother was taken ill several years ago and was obviously at the end of her life and needed a lot of care, you left your family who equally needed you most and came and stayed with her, attended to her needs, and cared for her till the very end. Your deep devotion and commitment to both your nuclear and extended family are unparalleled.  Till your passing we were the last 19

remaining three of eight siblings side of our parents, brother Adama, and that realization was scary as Alhaji Sulemanna, brother Salifu etc. we wondered how we could survive Your passing which initially sounded that trauma, and this thought even like a bad dream has thrown all of us brought us closer together and we into a state of untold pain, tears, and made it a point to never pass on any despair. The vacuum your passing has opportunity to visit each other. created for the family cannot be filled.  Your untimely death is a big blow not Even though older, you were the only to your immediate family but to healthier one, which is why your Zenabu and me and meant that it untimely exit is a huge challenge and is just us left to fend for ourselves. very difficult for us to understand and Who will visit us and chat with us and to handle. Painful as this may be, we encourage us, and even urge us to take consolation in the fact that we seek medical attention for complaints will meet again. May Allah grant you we often ignore or dismiss as not the highest Jannah. serious? How will we survive without you to continue to big sister us?   Paam Suum Ti Tong sung! Winnam na mal teng ka fu digin! We are yet to come to terms with the In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA brutal reality that you are no more and that you have now joined the 20

TRIBUTE BY DAUGHTERS IN-LAW We are saddened Who will advise us now on how to In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA by your sudden handle your boys? Who will come departure to visit with little presents for our from us Mma children? Yapese. It is hard to believe Mma Yapese! that you are no longer here to sit and talk with us. For talking to us and for May the Lord himself take you making us feel welcomed anytime we into His bosom as you continue to were around you, we say thank you. pray for us as you did when you were with us in person. Many mothers find it hard to let go of their boys, entrusting them to people Rest well Mma! May the good Lord they barely know to live with for the keep you safely and in eternal rest of their lives and most mothers rest till we meet again. tend to resist the move. But you took us in. you cared for us like we were “Then I heard a voice from heaven your own. say, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on”. Yes, With most mothers-in-law, it is a “Says the spirit, they will rest their challenge to break the ice but with you, labour for their deeds will follow there was no cause to worry as you them”. Revelations 14:13 were welcoming and often engaged us in hearty conversations. 21

TRIBUTE BY SONS-IN-LAW In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGAAlight is gone out from and most supportive individuals we our lives. A voice we have been lucky enough to call our loved to hear often mother-in-law. We are proud of the is now still. Today our virtuous women you made from hearts are laden with your wonderful daughters whom we sorrow and grieve as consider ourselves lucky enough to we continue to convince ourselves have as wives with whom we share that you are only taking a rest and our lives. would be back soon. You were a woman full of gratitude One of the most difficult things for even for any little thing that we do most married men to do is have a great for you. When such gestures were relationship with their mother-in-law. made, you pour out blessings upon Before marriage, you often hear most us. The blessing you evoked upon us mother-in-law’s wild stories about has certainly made a big difference in some mothers-in-law and most sons- our lives. in-law shy away from their mothers- in-law sometimes for a very good David remembers, you as an reason. But our relationship between amazing woman with unique human you, Mama Martha, was different and relationship virtues and counted it cordial. You always called us “my son” as a blessing to have had you as our and we called you “Mma.” mother in-law. Mma showed us lots of love, respect and accepted us as You were simply a good human being, part of her children. She appreciated one of the kindest, most loving, all our efforts and endeavors and always encouraged us to strive for 22

the best in life. Mma was blunt in friends come here they play like dogs In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA her admonitions to us as in-laws and Papa doesn’t get to study.” A that patience, tolerance, and good demonstration of the value we have manners are good ingredients for always known she puts in education. a successful marriage and that we should always put God Almighty first It is impossible to be bored in the in all our endeavors. company of Mma Martha and we always look forward to her visits to Emma remembers that one Accra (something she didn’t like much remarkable thing about Mama Martha because it compels her to become was her unapologetic no-nonsense sedentary). Anytime she is visiting straight forwardness in her discourse Accra, every family member wanted with others. No matter who you are, her to stay with them. I (Emma) would Mama Martha would look you in the often lobby to have her over. She was eye and tell you the truth. such a good conversationalist and spoke the purest kusaal I had ever A case in point was her visits to Accra heard.  when she observed that anytime her grandson’s friends came to the house, We will miss you dearly. While your they played a lot and didn’t learn. So, passing was sudden and painful, we one day, while Mama Martha was take solace in knowing that God will home with us, the doorbell rang, and give you the chance to live again in she went to check who it was.  Paradise. Revelation 21:3,4. Upon her return, I asked, “Mma, who Paam suum! Winna mal teng ka fu was that?” She replied, “It was Papa’s digin friend, but I sacked him. I told him to leave because! Papa no dey!’ I then asked, “Mma, why did you say that?” She replied in Kusaal saying, “Papa is preparing for exams. But anytime his 23

TRIBUTE BY GRANDCHILDREN In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGAA nd I heard a voice from competing for your love and attention, heaven saying, “Write you had time for everyone and were this down: Blessed treated equally and fairly.  are those who die in the Lord from now While some grandchildren were lucky on. Yes, says the to spend a great deal of time with you Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for Grandma Yapese, some of us weren’t they will rest from their hard work; for so lucky, however, with the little time their good deeds follow them!”.  we spent with you and the stories that you told us, along with those that Revelations 14:13 NLT were told about you were impactful and will forever live.  It is said that you don’t know what you have until you lose it, and death We have always known her to be is one of the ways that rings true with prayerful and taught us to always put this statement. our trust and hope in the Lord and not in any human. Each time without ‘Ayapese’ you had a unique way of exception that you see us or when we bringing laughter and happiness call you on phone, you consistently to all of us. You were a very simple prayed for us and prophesied into our and disciplined woman. ‘Ayapese’ lives. You used to tell us stories about with a deep interest in all of us your your youth and the days of old. Most grandchildren. Even though there of your stories always end with a very were many of us (grandchildren) useful moral lesson. 24

Ayapese was Grandma and was a In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA phenomenal woman, strong and strict but approachable and was always at our service without any reservations. Indeed, a mighty tree has fallen, a tree that can never be replaced by anyone. Yapese, your grandchildren will miss you, but we are of the hope and consolation that we shall meet again on that resurrection morning when the roll is called up yonder. We know you are not dead but sleeping in the bosom of the Lord. “We, therefore, console ourselves with what the Good Book says in Eccl 3:3-4 “A time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, a time to build up, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, there is time for everything under this earth”  We shall forever remember your  From all your grandchildren we say. Rest in perfect peace! Paam suum! Winnam na mal teng ka fu digin 25

TRIBUTE BY CHRISTIAN MOTHERS In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA Glory be to God……... he lives as her intercessory and rosary prayers. forever. “We do not want you to be Madam Martha was committed to the uninformed about those who sleep payment of her financial obligations in death so that you do not grieve and always encouraged us to pray like the rest of mankind who have for one another. She exuded firm no hope. For we believe that Jesus confidence and humility and stayed died and rose again and therefore, we focused as a Catholic and the one she believe that God will bring with Jesus sought to serve-God.  those who have fallen asleep in him”  When we heard of your ill health (1Thessalonians 4:13-14). some time ago, we visited and pray with you. You were happy and tried With heavy and to hide your pain. You promise to be sudden hearts, with us at our next meeting which we pay this indeed you did and that was your last tribute to our meeting with us.  dear colleague madam Martha On the 7th of November 2021, the Ayamba Abariga. Madam Martha news of your passing into glory was Ayamba became a member of the announced to us. Mother Martha, we Christian mothers’ association in the will forever miss you. We believe that year 1980 and was inducted into full you have died in the peace of Christ Christian motherhood the following and that the almighty father through year. She was a committed member his mercy shall grant you peaceful of the association and very devoted to rest. May the heavenly host lead you her roles as a Christian mother as well to your maker, till we meet again.   26 Paam suum, Winnam na mal teng ka fu digin

Memories 27 In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA

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30 In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA

SCAN FOR DIGITAL COPY OF FUNERAL BROCHURE 31 In Loving Memory of the late MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA

Appreciation The entire family of THE LATE MADAM MARTHA AYAMBA ABARIGA sincerely appreciate your prayers, presence, sympathy, expression of love in diverse ways and your generous donations during our time of grief. May the good Lord bless you more abundantly!