Jemima Constance Nana Atse Mayne was born in Takoradi, Ghana, on 2nd February 1948 to Mr James Badu Mayne and Madam Josephine Pobee of Cape Coast Ghana, both of blessed memory. She was the sixth child of their union. After her parents separated, Jemima and her siblings moved to Kumasi to be closer to her maternal grandmother. She had a very happy childhood growing up with her siblings Charles, Christina, Victoria, Florence and James. She also had a close relationship with her eldest brother Palmer Randolf of blessed memory, youngest brother Ohene Awuku Ofori and her father’s children Effie, Tommy and George.
Jemima started her elementary education at Government Girls School, Kumasi but later changed to Asem Girls School, where her older cousin Catherine Amaa Ampah was a teacher. She happily accompanied Cuz Amaa each morning to school on foot. During those long walks, she tutored young Jemima and encouraged her to study hard, so was no surprise that Jemima excelled in her subjects at school. When Cuz Amaa married and moved to Ho, Jemima transferred to the Anglican Girls School in Kumasi where she passed her Common Entrance examination with flying colours and continued to Mofraturo Secondary School. After her GCE O Levels, Jemima moved on to St Monica's Mampong, where she completed her Teacher Training in 1969. Jemima remained an active member of the ’69 year group thanks to modern technology. She kept in contact with Alberta Offei, Phillipa Mensah and others, who describe her as a humble, generous and loyal friend, a true gem.
In Kumasi Jemima enjoyed a close relationship with her maternal Aunts and their families, which continued down the years. She spoke fondly of these connections throughout her life.
Jemima started her teaching career in Kumasi at the Garrison Primary School, but later moved to the Kotoka Primary School, Burma Camp. Countless pupils she taught remember her as a very kind and affable teacher, who greatly influenced their passion for learning.
Whilst teaching in Accra, she lived with her late sister Mrs Victoria Owusu and her family, at their home in Accra's Airport Residential area. Jemima enjoyed being part of the bustling household and doted on her niece Abena and nephew Chief. She was extremely fond of all her nephews and nieces who she saw regularly and cared about greatly.
Jemima had the opportunity to visit her late sister Mrs Christina Akyianu and her family in Norwood London, during the summer of 1974. This visit sparked her love for travel and her quest to see new places and experience different cultures. In 1979, she went on vacation to visit her older brother Charles in Canada for six months, and returned to London to settle. Jemima lived briefly with her uncle Mr Kwesi Buckman and his wife Bibi at their Collingham Gardens home in Earls Court. It was at the Buckman’s that she struck a lasting friendship with Rosie Akrofi, who was also staying with them at the time. They both worked at the Bakers Oven shop in Earls Court for many years.
Jemima eventually moved in with her dear friend Mrs Felicia Owusu-Addae and family in 1981 and lived with them until she secured her own home in 1985. Auntie Felicia's sister Elizabeth was Jemima's good friend and colleague at Kumasi Garrison Primary School, where they both were teachers. Soon Felicia (AKA Eno Adjoa) became her surrogate sister and "Mummy". Jemima cherished her fond memories of those years living with the family and the hustle and bustle of commuting alongside Felicia from New Southgate Station to London for work. It is no wonder both remained so youthful and frisky even into their 70s. There was never a dull moment in Felicia's home with Daddy Owusu-Addae and the then young Jenny. Jemima often reminisced about the constant gatherings and parties, and the wonderful feasts that flowed from the kitchen at No. 193 High Road, New Southgate. She became an honorary member of the Kokofo clan by default.
In July 1986, Jemima welcomed a healthy and handsome son Kwame Sarfo. It was the happiest moment of her life, as for many years she had wanted a family of her own. Jemima did a sterling job as a single mum ploughing in time and resources to ensure Kwame had the best education and lacked for nothing. Her proudest moment was when Kwame graduated from the London School of Economics. She felt a sense of fulfilment and joy.
Another proud achievement for Jemima was purchasing a home in Adjiringarnor, a suburb of Accra. She planned to use it whenever she was in Ghana, as a base where she could relax and spend more extended visits in her retirement.
Jemima retired from the Bakers Oven, now Gregg’s after over 30 years of selfless service. She was proud she rose up the ranks to the management level and was much loved and respected by her bosses and staff, as well as many Earl's Court residents and customers. During her time working in Earls Court, she secured temporary employment for many family members and friends who passed through London and needed to earn some cash.
Jemima dedicated her time to travel and spending quality time with loved ones. She travelled to Canada, USA, Germany, Singapore, Bali, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Dubai, Spain, Italy, Prague, Portugal, France and Ghana.
As often as she could, she always looked forward to visiting her late sister Florence Mayne’s children and grandchildren in France. She was delighted whenever they came to London too, and always made sure to bake her delicious cakes for them to take back because they enjoyed it so much. She was thrilled when her niece Naana moved from Paris to London. The proximity of her home to hers meant she was able to help Naana as much as she could with babysitting and raising her daughter Nicole.
Jemima often returned to Ghana to reunite with her siblings, close friends, cousins, nieces, nephews and their children. She enjoyed all the functions and activities she had the opportunity to be a part of whilst there. She made the most of the outdoor lifestyle and made sure she had as much local fare as she possibly could, knowing she would soon return to the UK where the foods she loved were not as easy to source.
In 2013 Jemima became the honorary matriarch of a ladies group – The Prague Babes, because their maiden holiday destination was Prague. The group met regularly for summer barbecues, West End theatre shows, lunches and candlelit dinners and supported each other in difficult times. Jemima particularly enjoyed the last holiday to Malta and Gozo because of the sheer luxury of the Five star hotel they stayed in. The group were so looking forward to their next adventure – a cruise to the Caribbean aboard the renowned Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas in May 2020. Alas, this trip did not materialise due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In summer 2015, Jemima helped care for a sweet little girl called Maria, who came to the UK from Russia to learn English and hosted by the Cleland family. Jemima treated her so specially and helped her settle in quickly. She soon took charge of most of her daily lessons, which she thoroughly enjoyed, clearly still very much the teacher. Jemima enrolled on the Teaching English as a Foreign Language course, so she could teach more foreign students. Maria, clearly pampered by Jemima, returned five more times in subsequent years to spend long summer months with the family and especially her adored "Babushka" (“Grandma” in Russian).
Jemima was a born hostess who loved to cook, bake and entertain. Her food was to die for, oozing with every possible ingredient – whether it was her trademark kaakro and beans stew, doughnuts, fluffy cakes, sweet pancakes, jollof or brown rice or Ghana salad.
Over the years, Jemima hosted her siblings, their spouses, children and grandchildren as well as numerous friends passing through London. All experienced her warmth and hospitality and enjoyed the endless courses of tasty meals she prepared specially for them. She was always available to accompany her dear friends to formal functions or shopping trips whenever they were in the UK on business or on vacation.
Jemima was also the master suitcase packer, who helped many travel back to Ghana with everything but the kitchen sink packed into a suitcase - which miraculously still weighed within limits.
Jemima bore disappointments and adversity with such grace and tenacity, because she had an unflinching trust in the Lord and a forgiving heart. She was raised an Anglican, and had an unwavering faith in the Lord. She loved Songs of Praise on BBC on Sundays, enjoying singing along in her sweet angelic voice, to inspirational hymns. She was devoted to her daily morning prayers and worshipped regularly at the All Saints’ Church in Edmonton where she was a member of the Mother’s Union. She was also a member of Christ Church Little Heath, because she spent most weekends in Potters Bar with her niece Esi and therefore, considered a part of her household.
Jemima was a kind, sincere and loving soul who was a great pillar of support and encouragement to many. She was the matriarch of the extended family in the UK and France. We must give thanks to God Almighty for the countless lives that she affected with her selfless and compassionate nature. We are all the richer for having known Jemima.
Jemima passed away peacefully on the 7th of March 2021 after a short illness.
She is survived by her dear son Kwame Sarfo, her siblings, her in-laws, her extended family including cousins, nephews, nieces and their children and also her many friends and their families both here and abroad.
May her pure and gentle soul rest peacefully in the bosom of her Maker.
Da yie dofo pa da yie!!!.
