Still sorely missed!

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

Happy Birthday Mama!

Happy Birthday Mama!

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.

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

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

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....

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

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.

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.

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

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

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