TRIBUTE BY FRIENDS
ANITA COLLISON
To my dearest friend and sister, Emelia Amerley Amartey-Quarcoo.
I met Auntie Emelia as I affectionately called her in September 1998 at O'Reilly Senior High School during my first year of appointment to the school.
Being the reserved type of person, I had no friends and so never sat in the staff common room. I shuttled from my home to school to have my lessons each day,
Apparently, Auntie Emelia had noticed my way of life and approached me one day and asked me to share her office with her, sitting right by her side.
She drew me very close to her and pampered me very well like a daughter. Infact,I
enjoyed her lovely company and stopped my shuttling from my home to the school to
have my lessons.
We became so close and gradually, she became part of my family and shared my
family's joys and sorrows.
Auntie Emelia, I have never forgotten the weekend we spent together at Coconut
Groove, Elmina when you won the Best Teacher's Award
I could tell Auntie Emelia my challenges and within a twinkle of an eye she would find a solution for me.
After she had left O'Reilly Senior High School to Accra High School and Association
International School, we still mentained our friendship. She visited me at home and I
did same.
When she was posted to Diaspora Girls Senior High School as headmistress, I visited
her a couple of times. I can go on and on.
On Saturday 9th April, 2016, I had a phone call that you were not well and had been
admitted at the Korle bu Teaching Hospital.
Driving from Roman Ridge to Korle bu was most distressing for me. I got there, held
your hands and prayed for you. I was not happy at all when I left you because I had
never seen you sick before. You were such a strong and lively person.
On Sunday, Lady Reverend Kathleen Parker -Allotey called to tell me you were better and that you responded to her prayers. I was so happy and began to sing.
On 12th of April, 2016 when your sister Amorkor called, I least expected the news that you had passed on . I shed and continue to shed so much tears. Oh Auntie Emelia, why did you have to leave us so soon?
Auntie Emelia, who will I share my joys and challenges with?
You were a pillar of strength to me, but our ways are not God's ways neither our
thoughts his thoughts.
As Thomas Fuller said "The happy thoughts of those we love will never pass away "
so you will always be in our hearts and on our minds.
To the brother and sisters and the entire family, I say
Partings come and hearts are broken,
Loved ones go with words unspoken,
Deep in their hearts there's a memory kept
For a sister and a friend they'll never forget
Although you've lost a dear sister
A life linked with her own,
She's still ours to remember.
When the sun shines tomorrow, it shines for you. It rises to let you know that there will always be sunshine after the rain. It shines to let you know there are brighter days
ahead.
Auntie Emelia, may the Lord grant you eternal rest till we meet again.
Auntie Emelia, Yawo ojogbann!!