Her impact on the civic, social and cultural fabric of her community, region and nation is limitless and legendary. She had a way of touching people’s lives even without directly dealing with them, for better or for worse. Her father and oldest sister having been in engaged in active politics, she was drawn into the political world by circumstances. Behind the scenes at all the receptions, only those who knew, realized that the gorgeous decorations and the sumptuous spread had the creative genius of Auntie Eirene. From 25 Makangai Street, Limbe to GRA Bota, through the Council Hall receptions; from home family meetings through birthdays and weddings, her touch and art was present; from one-on-one “Auntie show me” sessions to classrooms, church meetings, clubs, women’s groups, etc; her skills were lovingly transferred, far into posterity, by those who would bother to acknowledge it. Her marriage thrust her even further and higher into demands on her skills that would try a trooper! From the splendour of the CDC General Manager’s Residence in Limbe to the Prime Minister’s home in Yaounde; through the highways and byways of national civic and cultural society, her late beloved sister-in-law would display, with pride, the very best of Auntie Eirene’s culinary, decorative and managerial skills--all behind the scenes never in the limelight. And today, we honor one who always served the best of herself on a platter of quiet love and devotion.
The CBM and later CBC could write volumes on her work with the church, the NABC missionaries and other church related activities. Maybe, again she got thrust into church affairs by being the daughter of Pa and Ma Baptist! Her mother having been one of the founders of Kakane - later to blossom into the Baptist Women’s Union, she started off by being a protective companion of her mother to several meetings both national and international. Thus the Tiny Girl who left her parents’ home to far away Nigeria when other kids’ hands were being held to start school, became a world traveller. Starting in CBC primary school, which itself grew out of the school her grandfather established in New Town, Victoria, she faithfully served the mission and convention in Saker, BHS and the churches, especially building up small flailing churches in preference to the established big churches. With her experience in the US and GTC Molyko, she ran seminars and workshops for churches and women’s groups. Her creative gifts were evident in the handicrafts displays that crowned every project. One could pause here and ask for testimonies to the impact of Auntie Ei on each life she touched and we will exhaust every time limit any of you have. Thus besides teaching, she was involved in women’s work in the Church, the Cameroon Baptist Women’s, the 3 H, the Girl Guide Movement, and in spreading adult education in home improvement, cookery and sewing.
She was EMS, Rapid Response, Spiritual Navy Seal, you name it, rolled in one. Auntie Eirene could travel at the drop of a hat! It was as though when Auntie Eirene showed up, you knew EVERYTHING would be all right - spirit, soul and body. Haba, her great grandmother from Garoua would have said.
Written with loving care by Rev. Pamela M. Martin