ForeverMissed
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Her Life
March 15, 2015

Lolita Nance (Barlatt) M’Jamtu-Sie was born to Gooding and Chrissie Barlatt on 18th October, 1941 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  She departed this life on Sunday, 15th March, 2015.

Lolita Nance, attended the Annie Walsh Memorial School in Freetown, and studied Librarianship in the United Kingdom.  She began her professional career with the Sierra Leone Library Board, then managed the libraries and documentation centres of the Central Statistics Office, Law Courts, later, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone where she was awarded the title of Honorary Professor.  She served as Project Coordinator at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) and Lead Partner in the partnership between Cardiff University and University of Sierra Leone.

Nance loved books, music and dressing up smartly.   She started her mornings by listening to gospel songs and hymns and insisted on daily family prayers.  She was an ardent reader and author of several published articles and dedicated herself to mobilizing books and equipment to enrich the lives of others, especially FBC students.

She lived a Christian life dedicated to serving her God by serving others. The family was long time member of the Church of the Holy Trinity at Kissy Road, Freetown, where she served in many capacities including Sides-woman and Parochial Committee Member. 

Mrs. M’Jamtu-Sie was a very active member of the Annie Walsh Memorial School Old Girls Association (AWOGA) and served in many capacities, including President.  She was also a member of the Sierra Leone Association of University Women (SLAUW), Sierra Leone Association of Archivists, Librarians, and Information Scientists (SLAALIS), and Coordinator of the DelPHE Project.  She served in other organizations and was Life Patron of many associations.

Mummy, Mamie Jam, Mjamtu or Aunty Nance, as she was affectionately known, was the family historian; she enjoyed time with family and friends, especially organizing various functions and being the lead spokeswoman in family weddings.   We remember the parties, the stories and the selfless ways in which Nance gave of her time and her talents.  As a supervisor, her colleagues vied for her support and guidance; they respected her and sought her company.  As a daughter, sister, mother, aunty and friend, she was a generous, gracious person, someone who was easy to talk to and share time with.  We are all better people because we knew her, confided in her, worked, laughed, and cried with her.

Indeed, one of the things life never teaches us is how to say goodbye to a loved one – especially you, Mjamtu.  You were the person who was always there, who helped us see the truth in the most loving ways. There are no words or verbal expression that can do justice to the anguish in our hearts at this time but we know you will be nearby.  Even if we cannot see you, we know you’ll always be watching over us. 

The world has lost a wonderful person.  Nance was a miracle, who was not here by chance but by God’s choosing.  His hand formed her and made her the special person that she was.  He compared her to no one, neither will we; Nance was one of a kind.

MUMMY:  we know that family members who have gone before are with you, rejoicing, safe in the arms of Jesus.  Your job here on earth is done, we will carry on.  You fought a good fight.  We will not stop thinking of you or calling your name aloud or in silence.  A million times we will cry; if love could have saved you, you never would have died. Sleep on and take your rest. 

MJAMTU:  We thank God for the beautiful memories and pray that God grants you a place by His side; that your soul rests in perfect peace and that you enjoy a much deserved glorious life throughout eternity. Your memory, one of immense generosity and love will live with us every day for the rest of my lives.  We are assured that the bond that bound us on earth will live forever in our spirits.

To all of us, we are sure you would say: Do not weep for me; remember the laughter, the shadow of misty yesteryears, the good times and the challenging times we shared.  Put the sorrows out of your mind and reach for the joyous moments; for memories are what we borrow - to spend when we get to tomorrow.  With each setting sun, the months and years go by.  So gather and treasure each moment you have with each other while you can.  I wait to see you in God’s Kingdom - what a great day of rejoicing that will be.  I am safe in the arms of Jesus and no longer in pain.  So long my dear ones, until we meet again.