ForeverMissed
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The Nchami family announce with deep sorrow, the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, aunty, and friend, Della Mae Suckins Nchami. Please join us in the celebration of the life of a Precious Lady with a heart of gold.

                      
PROGRAM: A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF "DELLA M. NCHAMI"    ==========================================================

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30th, 2016: Wake / Memorial from 7pm to 4am (mass included).

15212 Dino Drive, Burtonsville, MD 20866

 

7:00 pm - 8:30pm: Catholic Mass & Songs from LESA

8:45 pm - 9:00pm  Documentary: 15 minutes

9:00 pm - 9:30 pm:  Words of Remembrance & Sympathy


                       RECEPTION / REPAST

                   Reception Follows from 10:00pm - 4:00am @

                          VIKINGS CENTER

           15212 Dino Drive, Burtonsville, MD 20866

 
Your Contribution is very much appreciated

Bank of America
Name:                    Alaatum Nchami
Email address:      alaatum@yahoo.com
Phone:          (301) 627 4353
Routing Number 052001633 
Account # 446037308588

June 24, 2022
June 24, 2022
I am writing my memoir and including a couple of paragraphs about my friend. She is one of the few American women to live in Cameroon and probably Africa until her last breath. I appreciate her kindness and will continue to emulate her in my life. 

Regina Dennis-Nana, St. Louis, MO and Bangangte
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2016
Dear Aunty Della, 
May your sweet, gentle and kind soul find eternal rest and peace in the presence of the Lord. You have left an indelible mark on the lives of those whom you came across.
Sleep, sleep, sleep.
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2016
To The Family of Della Mae Nchami,

I happened to read over the life story of your dear loved one today and I was very touched. It is in times like these that I like to draw comfort from the Scriptures and I would like to share one with you. At Revelation 21:4 we read " And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." I pray that your cherished memories will bring you much comfort until these wonderful promises have been fulfilled by our Heavenly Father.

Sincerely,
The Dorsey Family
September 28, 2016
September 28, 2016
A Tribute from My Heart to Della “Mama” Nchami.

Della was a remarkable woman. The most outstanding trait for which she was known was the simple fact that she loved everyone. She opened her heart and home to anyone who walked through her gate.

Her character was famous for her ability to forgive and forget. She might be angry with you one moment, but in five minutes she let go and gave you all her love. It was always like the sun coming out after a storm. The sun was there all the time, to warm you.

Her love took many forms. She was a friend and mother to everyone she knew. She gave all her love to every child she met. And her care was not just for the young. She was there for so so many people when they were sick and needed comfort and support.

Della was not just a loving mother and wife. She adopted the culture of the Northwest so thoroughly that she could teach native-born Africans like myself the details of our culture. She was an authority, full of knowledge, and ready to share it freely. Amazingly, she could also cook every kind of African food better than anyone. When I visited her last year, nothing would do but she personally cooked a meal of TEN different African dishes, each one delicious and perfectly spiced.

Which leads to her other culinary skills. She was famous for her cakes and her apple pies. No store-bought pie could match hers. Apples were hard to find, so I always brought some to her when I returned from Limbe or Yaounde. When I was 16 and had just come to her home, she served me stuffed cabbage rolls – so delicious! – and it was only years later when she visited me in Ivory Coast and wrote the recipe, that I realized this was a classic German dish.

Della had a wicked sense of humor that always made me laugh. Della's Pidgin was perfect and she would use it to devastating effect. If someone, especially a young person, did something less than correct, she'd call them a “foolish pikin”!

She made me feel like her daughter. And I still feel that special bond to her, which made me call her, lovingly, “Mama”. One thing that brings me joy to this day was how she treasured the
jewelry I made for her many years ago. She told me she loved those pieces, and took them everywhere with her. She wore them so proudly, it made my heart swell with joy.

I want to extend not just sympathy to her children during this sad time, but also I want to thank them for sharing their incredible mother with me, another child in her heart and home.

Della, I will remember you for all the things you taught me as a little girl. I will miss you.

Love,
Florence

I want to add my own tribute to Della, who visited Florence and I in Ivory Coast. I wish that she were still with us. Talking to Cam and Flo about Della makes me sure that she was one in a million. My lasting impression is that she was a phenomenon in her time, “bicultural” before that word was coined. It is obvious that she was a great example to everyone – hard working and a bit of a perfectionist, leading others by example. The people I have met who knew Della talk about her just like she was a general or head of state, a natural leader, and a person who we can only hope to emulate. The way Flo and Cam talk about her with reverence and affection is so impressive. Surely she will live on in the minds and hearts of everyone on two continents who knew her, or even (just like me) knew of her.

Thank you, Della, for being such a great influence on my wife, and being a spiritual presence in my family. All of us owe you a debt that can never be repaid, just passed on.

My deepest sympathy to Della's children, who will miss her most.

Nick
September 28, 2016
September 28, 2016
Dear Aunty Della " Mama,"
   We will miss you dearly. You have always been a true friend and a blessing to my mom and her children. You came in to my mother's life not by any act of coincidence. God has called you to rest in his heavenly kingdom which leaves a vacuum in our hearts. Our late mother, Mummy Anne Aza Kilo your bosom friend fondly called you "Del" because of the unconditional love, warmth, support and commitment you showed each other until her demise. You both were like sisters and shared so much in common as epitomized in your skills,talent and career path. Life was remarkably hectic with when you came over to spend the week end with us, giving our mom moral support when she had huge contracts to do interior décor, catering, designing clothes for weddings and special events. I vividly remember spending time with you in 2013, @ Bowie. You hugged me so many times giving me a pat on the back for being a "caring mother too", which got me teary eyed. My son was so happy to meet his grandma's best friend and you gave him a large piece of home made fruit cake, and Ice cream just like you did to me years ago, when u came over to spend time with us at New City in Abakwa. We will miss your presence, your sense of humor,and style when you spoke in broken English. You are indeed the legendary Aunty Della. Rest in peace "Mama" until we meet to part no more....
September 27, 2016
September 27, 2016
RIP Mama Della. People like you would never be forgotten. Though I have not might you but have hear tremendously great things about you from my mother, aunties, friends and my cousin Ni Victor your son in law. You are a hero to many. Your legacy will continue to flood. You will for ever be missed.
To Auntie Tizah/ Ni Victor. Accept our heat felt condolences. Our prayers goes to you and the children during this period of grieving.
Mrs. Constance Asoh-Ndi
From Bethlehem Pa
September 26, 2016
September 26, 2016
Mama lived a remarkable life, one that inspired me greatly. Her adventurous attitude, her broad range of interests, and her happy demeanor made her a wonderful person to know. She was generous with her time and affection. She always took an interest in the people she met. I introduced her to many of my friends over the years, and they always told me how interesting she was. Mama pursued her many endeavors diligently, and always rose to meet a challenge. I always felt that she expected the same of me. She was philosophical in her approach to life. She especially had a great perspective when it came to little things, never displaying anger or impatience. Instead, she showed great dignity and gentle humor. I'll miss the times when Mama and I slept on the same bed and gossiped about everything. I'll miss the time Mama was in the delivery room when my daughter was born. I'll miss the surprising depth and scope of her knowledge. I'll miss the warmth she extended to everyone she met. I'll miss Mama dearly, but I will treasure her memory forever.
September 23, 2016
September 23, 2016
Dear Mama,
I will always remember your very kind gesture of taking care of me and my six week old son, Ralph, at Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris. As a first time mother, I was exhausted and Ralph needed attention. You immediately stepped in to help in spite of the fact that you were also tired. Coincidentally, you were in Senegal when my second son was born and my first "pepper soup" was prepared by you. People like you are hard to come by. I can never thank you enough. May God be with you until we meet again. Love, Maureen.
September 22, 2016
September 22, 2016
To Mbibong, Cam, Alaatum, Tizah, Gina and Nehlah, thanks so much for letting us share in her warmth, love and caring!!!! It means the world!! May she rest in perfect peace. She was the best!!!!
Lova
September 22, 2016
September 22, 2016
Mama a confuse oh.
I bring parcel for you from Prof. Mbibong.
I waka your door tire no know say you day hospital.
Weah Mama, you were my idol, my role model, my confidante.
You made me feel like a high mountain of gold.
You have gone on to glory without me completing that needlework Mama!
Forget the perfect carrot cake and homemade bras and undies and flare dresses.
Some of the lessons were too challenging for me oh but you left me with the best gifts - love and warmth for humans.
All ten million of your children will miss you dearly.
Greet Debo your friend, my mom for me oh.
I am sad.
edwan
September 21, 2016
September 21, 2016
Dear Aunty Della,
You were such a loving and caring mother to all of us here in the US when we were all far from home. This was especially evident on the day I got married.
We will never forget the wonderful thanksgiving dinners we all had together. You always thought of us. Thank you. We love you and will miss you always.

Missy

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Recent Tributes
June 24, 2022
June 24, 2022
I am writing my memoir and including a couple of paragraphs about my friend. She is one of the few American women to live in Cameroon and probably Africa until her last breath. I appreciate her kindness and will continue to emulate her in my life. 

Regina Dennis-Nana, St. Louis, MO and Bangangte
Recent stories

Treasure Lost.

September 30, 2016

The beauty of knowing someone so gifted and blessed lies in the fact that upon her demise there is so much fun memories to treasure.

Many have spoken of her generousity, kindness, spirituality, devotion, compassion, selflessness, beauty, sophistication, class, and most of all her dynamism and wisdom to strike a balance between the complexities of life and the mondaine. She would make something admirable from nothing. She turned worthlessness into worthiness and hopelessness into hopefulness. 

She raised and mentored a multitude  of young people who have remained extremely grateful to her. I share the pain of her children who today mourn for a mum of her calibre. Mummy Della was a giant at heart and in deeds. She was larger than life, I dare say.

A rare treasure we have lost in the hope that other women would learn from her life and continue to share the Glory of Motherhood in consonance with the Joy of Motherhood.

You will be remembered simply as "The Iconic Mrs Della Nchami."

There is no doubt that you will find rest with the Lord. Yours was a life well spent.

Mummy Del, Rest in Perfect Peace.

A FAREWELL TO THE PHENOMENAL MRS DELLA NCHAMI

September 28, 2016

A FAREWELL TO THE PHENOMENAL MRS DELLA NCHAMI
 
      "Del" is what our mum,   Mrs. Aza Anna Kilo, fondly  called her bosom friend. It was enviable, the kind of love and support they gave each other first after our dad, Mr. Sylvester Kindzeka Kilo, passed on and later when Uncle Vincent Nchami followed.
Phenomenal is the adjective that best describes Aunty Della. Never seen an American so devoted and attached to her Cameroonian home. This bond was to be exhibited in the name she gave her first daughter, Camerica. Where would you find an American woman,hoe in hand in the farm, on the steering of a 12 ton truck dropping off firewood to her friend and sister to support the cooking for a major event, or sitting and cooking in the typical Cameroonian traditional kitchen with its three stone fireside,or sling her home carer's child on her back to sooth her to sleep as she paces up and down that beautiful courtyard of the Nchami residence in Bambui?
Aunty Della was  simply THE BEST cake maker Cameroon ever saw. Her wedding fruit cakes moved heads and hearts and lasted as long as the couple stayed together....didn't,t we eat of the "Larry- Laura Love Loop" in Boston15 years ago? Yes, and a tier of their  ageless wedding cake is still in the freezer. Shall we talk about  her cooking skills? My God, never has a woman displayed such dexterity in the kitchen. She was awesome!
We remember Aunty Del telling mummy as they catered for a wedding reception, how much Uncle Vincent loved her beans.....she went, "Anne, you know, whenever I cook this beans for house eh, ahahaha that day eh, Daddy eh, na  me na yi".   We  so loved it when she spoke pidgin. We first heard  about the meal  "Ndomba" from  our Aunty Della. Her wide experience in Cameroon exposed her to all the traditional main meals of the four cultural areas of Cameroon. Her food was loved and enjoyed by everyone who had a chance to taste it.. Her deserts were yummy...ooooh the Pineapple- Custard cake, this only after savouring her finger licking Fish- Mayonnaise.. Jeeeez, Aunty Del our mouths water as we recount fond memories of you.
This unique lady was so sweet!! She spoke pidgin in a peculiar way. We often wondered how anybody would have such love and passion for a foreign culture which became completely hers upon marriage. She loved Cameroon with all her might. Little wonder she decided to go back and breath her last there of, and be laid beside the MAN, Mr. Vincent Nchami who took her across continents to find a new abode.
Aunty Del,s golden hands did thread some needles as her legs ran the pedals of her sewing machine. We often wondered how God would endow one woman with sooooo much. She made beautiful dresses and decor for the interior of homes. You ought to have seen the drapes in her home. Yes she was Phenomenal. Her talents were abounding and her heart, full of compassion and Love. A great disciplinarian she was. She laid a heavily determined hand on her children and we were not spared her rod either. It was thus very easy to make a choice of our wife Laura, from amongst her well groomed children.
She  stood solidly behind us, as Aunty, Mother in law, and grandma, more so after our mum passed on.  Aunty Della remained particularly close to our eldest Sister Helen and asked to see her before departing to eternity.  Sister Helen missed out on this as she was out town.
Aunty Della was a great pillar for us to lean on. Until her death she never let us down. We will continue to pay tribute to you in the hope that more women can learn from you, the beauty in simplicity, kindness and compassion
Go well, Aunty Della. You have done well. Yours is life to CELEBRATE indeed.
THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE. HUGS TO MUMMY ANNE. KILO. SHE IS AT THE GATES WITH FLOWERS TO WELCOME YOU. SLEEP, SLEEP SLEEP!!!!!
We love you dearly.
  Sister Helen, Solomon, Maureen, Larry, Kila and Yaah  Bah'ti

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