It's would have been your birthday here. But celebrate it there in heaven as we remember you.

Today being your 2nd anniversary we remember you beautiful soul. Continue resting.

Happy Birthday Amimo. You are missed and still loved and held dear to our hearts. Continue to rest in love and brilliant light. I love you my sister-cousin, only always ❤️

RIP dear sweet Lillian Amimo!

Lily!
How where do I begin?! We “met” at Nairobi Baptist Church during Sunday School and we became good friends immediately! Hanging out together every Sunday!
One day as we were getting to know each other we realize were both from Bunyore!
At this point I’m starting to wonder if we’re related!
We go to our respective moms and I tell my mom I met this girl from Bunyore called Lilian! My mom squeals in delight! OF course she knows Aunty Norah! She tells me you are my cousin!
The next Saturday, we’re at your house for dinner after church! The most beautiful meal I’d ever had! As our parents spoke Kinyore laughing very comfortably as me and my new cousin bonded!
Of course I wanna know exactly how we’re related but you didn’t care! Our parents homes are 4 minutes away! Wanakhale and Ebusiralo
We then realise our birthdays are exactly 24 days apart to the day.

Ever since then you’ve held a huge part in my heart we communicated every month you went to NKU I went to Canada but we never lost touch 
We started video calling when you came back from Kentucky and we spoke as though we’d never lost touch! Every milestone you made sure you reached out via video! Introduced my boys to your dogs! Your dogs which you LOVED. You told me you had a room for us. We came to Kenya in 2015 and unfortunately I wasn’t able to see you then but we still spoke on phone for hours! You told me how much you cared and how much you loved me.
Your life was surrounded by LOVE
Lily you ARE love! I can’t think of any other word to accurately describe you. Artistic. Creative.

We had plans! We spoke shortly after Aunty Norah passed and we planned to definitely see each other once covid was over! And now here we are.

I will miss you forever Lily!
You truly were a Gem!

I love you so much forever. Sleep in peace ❤️

Omkhana myole Amimo... You are gone but never to be forgotten. You made a huge impact on many people. Go well ... Soar like an eagle... I will always remember you for you shared a birthdate with my daughter Amanda.

All my love.

Lilian, where do I begin? You were like a little sister. You always had love for life. You had much gusto for everything you touched and put your mind to. We were in the same house - BALL. MKHANA wefu, you will be missed and continue to be loved in memory. Dance your heart away and teach the rest to dance with you. We will continue to dance for you. Rest in heavenly peace.

From Nathan Olembo...

Aunty Amimo was funny, every time I went to their place, she always had treats for me. She was caring and we always spent Christmas together. Her passing has robbed me of a friend, a mother and a confidant. I'll miss her so much.

Rest In Peace Aunty Amimo, fly with the Angels.

At our Mso reunion in 2019, we had been chilling for a couple of hours when Amimo bursts in like sunshine. She proceeds to go round hugging everyone, making each one of us laugh and then handing out a red rose to each of us. I’ll never forget that rose. It lasted over two and a half weeks, looking fresh the whole time. Only Amimo would bring roses, red no less, to give to each of us. I feel that the rose lasted so long because it was given with so much love. You really are an angel, Amimo. Stay well.

Amimo, when I close my eyes and think of you, I see simpler times.

Time spent on the climbing frames, swinging from bar to bar, hanging upside down with our skirts falling over our heads, we didn't care who saw our pants, they were clean.

I vividly remember you teaching us to do splits, we did them on the grass in our socks, I could never get as low as you but I sure got in trouble for my grass stained white socks, but I didn't care, I could do the splits.

I remember doing cartwheels, handstands and bridges, you were so graceful, the rest of us would kind of land with a thud, but we didn't care, we were flexible.

As we grew, I remember our competitive spirit, we were Ball House, we had to win. You cheered with such passion, you had pompoms not sure where they came from but they always made an appearance. I can see you running on the hockey pitch, yelling for the ball in netball, fielding in rounders, returning a serve on the tennis courts, in your swimming costume waiting for swim your race or about to attempt the high jump on sports day.

I see you in leg warmers and leotards dancing and singing your heart out in a school play.

When I think of you, I think of a simpler time, a time when we truly lived for the here and now, without a care in the world.
Run, dance, sing, cheer and be free Amimo, see you on the other side.

Godspeed my darling

My dear Lilian,

Amimo,

Who will sing with me? Who will dance with me? Who will laugh with me? Who will cry with me? Who will celebrate with me? Who will answer my questions?

All these years we've been bonded by our love for the arts, sports, life, true friendship, faith!

Our life bond started before we were born, through Nora and Jane. Their love and lifelong friendship nurtured our love and lifelong friendship. Our memories since 1981 in Msongari live forever, from our play in Standard 2, to our Msongari musicals in Form 1 to Form 3, to our songs and dance of praise at weekly Mass in Msongari, to *Aspirations* at Phoenix Players. We sang together, trained together, competed together, raised trophies in tennis, hockey, rounders, netball, and high jump together... you name it, we did it! Wherever we travelled in the world, somehow we'd find our way back to pick up the song where we left off the last time.

We cried together at our lowest times but lifted each other up; we broke together when our Mums were raised to glory... through it all, you gave me a reason to laugh and celebrate and sing!

Never once, in 45 years, did I ever hear you speak an unkind word or share an unkind thought. You were truly a daughter of God, full of grace and hope and love and joy.

You are an inspiration, a sister, a friend, and now, an Angel whose perpetual light will truly shine forever from a place of glory and peace. You are to us all, as Sisters of the Msonagri Class of 1992, our Amimo.

Rest now, my sugar banana (as we sang together during one of our long evening chats). Thank you for the life and love and devotion you gave wholly, completely, and unconditionally, to everyone you touched. I love you, Mama.

Forever ours, as we are yours.

Sara.

Amimo, it has taken me a good minute to get here and put my thoughts down…I have tried to be as coherent (I’m still kind of confused and in a fog) as possible and as brief as I could (but honestly, who can really be brief when talking about Amimo? Not quite possible). Where does one start? What does one possibly say? I may rumble incoherently through this, but I figure it is ok…because I’m just going to let it flow…I know you would not have minded because you always told me to just speak to you from the heart...so here I am, here we are. And here’s my heart…

I really cannot believe I am referring to you in the past tense. How did this happen? how did we get here? Amimo, you were supposed to be here forever! The void you have left can never be filled As I sit with my thoughts all over the place, I hope and pray that it is all a bad dream and I’ll wake up from it. We never got the chance to say goodbye and that is doing a serious number on me. I long to hear your voice, I long to hear you say, “Baby Sis, it is ok. I am ok” like you always did, but it’s eerily quiet...and those are the times the knot in my throat tightens, and the tears begin to flow. As I grapple with the reality of your departure, I cling on to the beautiful and somber memories created over the years…these are the moments and memories that brought us closer and tightened the bond between us.

I remember the road trips to ‘shaggs’ over the December holidays, the visits to Kaimosi, Ikolomani, and Kisumu to usher in the New Year… I remember learning how to play ‘Kenyan poker’ (yes, it’s a thing) and split. Holidays in Bunyore were just epic! I remember one time you were trying really hard to teach me some of your ballet steps (probably the simplest ones too), but my feet refused to cooperate…I was too heavy footed and possibly in possession of 2 left feet where ballet was concerned. Many years later, we would attribute my struggle to having Bunyore feet. These Bunyore feet wouldn’t let it happen…we’d burst out laughing about it…those Bunyore genes boy!!! A force to reckon with. Those genes would not let me be great…LOL…but you, our graceful ballerina, yours were dancing feet and you danced ever so effortlessly and with grace.

During one of the December trips, I got malaria and Aunty Nora (RIP) planned to take me to Kima Mission Hospital the next day for an injection…well, that was a long night as I cried (you tried to comfort me and then fell asleep on me…LOL) because I was so afraid. You knew my serious fear of needles so at about 5am you hatched an escape plan for me…I think Caro (RIP) helped…you helped me “run away” back to Kukhu’s house…and it worked…only you could pull that off. LOL

In 2005, I came to Kentucky with the task of seeing you off to Kenya for Uncle’s (RIP) funeral…that was hard. That was really, really hard. We cried so much that the airline crew was not sure what to do with us because we pulled a “colour purple” on them as they literally peeled you away from me and walked you to the plane. I just stood there all helpless and broken seeing you go. We were a very hot mess that day. A very, very hot mess…LOL

In 2011, I remember when you called me to speak to Caro (RIP) when you were in Norway. You gave me a very precious gift. You afforded me the opportunity to say goodbye to her…it was hard, but I am thankful that you did it

In 2010, My wedding rolled around…you worked with Betty and Aggie to make it a success. You coordinated logistics and single handedly organised the photography (you got me the best!!! Emmanuel Jambo), and a DJ (again…you sought out the best, DJ Adrian). I was all the way in NY but you told me and assured me that all would be ok, and that all I needed to do was show up…and honestly, that’s all I did, and EVERYTHING was PERFECT!

Every facet of my life has you woven into it somehow. It is so painful and hard to think that the rest of this journey will be without you physically in it. You have always been there…shining your light, always bubbly, full of life, and just a pleasure to be around. I have always looked up to you…loved you and appreciated you. You have always had my back…loved me and made certain that I knew it.

You have extended your love and loved on my son. You have told/taught him all about his large family in Kenya that loves him…and best of all, you taught him some Luhya dance moves. You were a class act, Amimo. You cannot and will never be replicated or replaced. You felt, you loved, were loved and best of all, you lived. Your light shone bright, Amimo, so bright!

We had our moments of deep conversation where we cried and sometimes laughed. It almost felt like you felt my hurt and you took on that hurt for me. I believe that your heart knew mine, and mine yours. There was a special, unspoken bond that we shared. You always said that you wished you were in the US to protect me, but always made sure I was reminded that I came from a family that loved me and that my ancestry was one of strong warrior women and I would come out of the ashes stronger. And I did! It was easy to talk to you, to cry to you. You listened, never judged, just listened. You stood still and just allowed me to be. You allowed me to fall apart and while I was at it, you held me and guarded my fall. And not once did you ever betray my trust and confidence in you.

My big sister, THANK YOU. Thank you for being my person, thank you for loving me, and thank you for just always being there. I will miss you so much, Amimo…I don’t know how to move from here! I’m stuck! But I know in order for you to fly, I must let you go, but as I slowly do so, know that I do it in love, a pure and honest love shared between sisters. Fly my big sister, fly! We have owed heaven an unplayable debt for all the time that we have had you, and now it’s time for you to soar in a different dimension and on a much more divine and higher frequency.

A piece of me goes with you. My heart hurts, but I must allow you to claim your space in the Heavens. I have gained a guardian angel and for that I will be ever so grateful.

I love you and I will miss you terribly. You were and will always remain my sister, my cousin, and my friend. Shine on your way, Our Precious and Dear One…and dance in the Heavens until we meet again.

You are forever loved and in my heart is where you’ll stay.
~ Trish ❤️

Lilian, Your Memory...Your Being will always be in my heart. The memories we have from our days as neighbors and family in Lavington ( across from each other), childhood and adulthood...are cemented in my heart forever. Go Well, My Sister. Rise...Dance...You have been given your wings.
Signed AK (Aggrey Khasakhala)

I will always remember Amimo as a kind hearted sister who always thought about others before herself. Her love for the arts especially dance and song was always uplifting. She always remembered the wonderful times that we had in high school. I am most grateful to her for getting in touch with me after high school and reintroducing me to my Msongari sisters.
She will be missed dearly.

                               

Of the many memories made with Amimo, I remember one in particular where she had come to my place to study for exams… this was in high school. All afternoon, we devoted an optimistic 30% of our time to the act of studying and the rest of the time to whatever we felt was needful at THAT time - whether talking, acting, singing… anything other than studying!

Well, evening came. The driver came to pick Amimo with no time available for her to stay longer per directions from the Olembo household. We continued our elongated goodbyes as we walked towards the door and soon came to the kitchen.

By this time, our mischievous antennae was on high alert.

For some reason, Amimo picked up a ketchup bottle, turned it upside down and said something to the fact that if I moved, she would dump the ketchup on me. Not one to back down from a dare, I grabbed the closest thing… which happened to be an almost full packet of unga wa jogoo and proceeded to up her dare with my dare, “If a drop of THAT goes on me, this goes on you!”

We were both laughing so hard where by mistake or otherwise, Amimo poured not more than half a teaspoon of ketchup on my shoulder. True to form, I dumped the WHOLE packet on top of her head… And my mother chose THAT exact moment to walk in from a day at work. We couldn’t help ourselves, we laughed harder. Mum was too surprised to even begin reprimanding us.

We kept on laughing as I barely helped dust her off as she rushed off to the car. The driver was after all running late. That day, she went home looking like one messy sack of flour. Amimo, who was sporting extensions during this encounter, so for weeks, had unga particulate matter tangled up in her hair:)

THAT was how Amimo and I saw life. Together, we were wacky BFFs, dancing, prancing around and at the same time could be serious, philosophize where needed on the seriousities of life or not… like the merits of lighting, emotions, perspective, of our school pond and how we needed to be one with it to be able to capture its essence for our art class. There are many more memories to pull from, but THAT will be all for now.

Miss you BFF

I have vivid memories of Lilian daintily running on her toes on the hockey pitch. ❤️
And oh how she loved ballet. I remember watching her in admiration twirling, doing the splits, all through primary school. 
She also made the tastiest sandwiches. Combining fillings that I’d never think to put together.
Rest In Peace Butterfly. I’m ever so grateful you were a part of my life.

Hello everyone. Hello friends and relatives to Lillian Amimo Olembo who has sadly passed away to be with the Lord.

My condolences from myself, my husband Thomas, and our children (cousins to Lillian Amimo), Alessandra and Clara. Alessandra was listed amongst relatives, but Clara who is our younger daughter may not have been known to others but she was a friend and known to Lillian as well. Many know Thomas.

All of us are deeply saddened by the losses in our families and amongst friends. However, we are all grateful for the faith that we all share in different ways in our Christian faith or faith in God. We uphold each other in this way, making up for each other's shortfalls, shortages, and shortcomings here and there, and adding more glory where there is no problem. Because of that, I am confident that we shall soon all be together in the near future (by and by). Blessing to all and thank you.

Gone to soon! Poleni Lynette and Kenny.
Lilian may not be with us physically but she remains in your hearts and in spirit watching over you. One day you will be reunited with her and your loved ones and your tears will be wiped away. May she RIP.

Rest in peace Aunty Amimo and thank you for alway having my Mommy’s back. Thank you for teaching me about my family in Africa and to dance. I will miss you. I love you Aunty ❤️

R. Fanuel Parker (JR)

Goodbye Auntie.....Dance with the Angels.....I'll miss you❤❤

Lilian, your vibrancy and laughter are going to be missed. We shared a birthday and every year to date we never missed sharing warm wishes on the day. This year and the years to come will not be the same

Your love for dance showed in your effortless movements. You were a joy to watch.

Another angel has gained her wings. 

May you rest in paradise. ❤️❤️❤️

you always left us in awe with the light you carried, your light footedness all those dance moves, dance with the angels dear Amimo rest in Gods arms beloved one.....rest.

May the Almighty keep you safe in his arms and may youkeep dancing with Angels. Rest in eternal Peace Lilian. ❤

Mims- Amimo- lil sis. You were a creative, a joy, a ball off energy and you resonated positive encouraging vibes to those around you. When we met last , we shared a hug, smiles, and sang at the top of our lungs in mommy’s living room. You championed behind people. I’m still trying to digest you are no longer here.
Dance with the Angels lovely one. May your soul Rest In Peace with the Angels.

Ball House forever.
Rest well. ♥️♥️

If there was a lucky troop of angels missing one, they have gained that ONE dancing angel they have been waiting for.
Keep dancing Mims.....You are love......I will miss you forever.....forever....❤❤❤

Amimo, Amimo, what can I say? Few have the ability to have an impact in other people’s lives like you did. You had a way of making everyone feel special, like they mattered. You loved your friends and family with all your heart. My earliest memories of you are of you performing the perfect pirouette in ballet class - oh how you could dance! Most recently I loved seeing all your posts of the different foods you had lovingly made for your friends and family. You were such a doting daughter, always by Auntie’s side she was truly blessed to have you as we all were. Your voice, your smile, your laugh… Amimo we will miss you. Rest well my dear sister, cousin, friend…rest ❤️