" Manyi Gana, as I usually called you. We chatted over the phone on the 8th of Jan 2021, wishing each other a Happy New Year, and thanking God for bringing us thus far. Little did I know that by now you shall be no more..A week later, I called, and Joyce your daughter answered the call, and told me you were very sick and cannot talk to me.She then showed you lying helpless in a hospital bed. Ine week later, I was informed you were dead. It was shocking news indeed. Manyi, you have ran the race God set for you very successfully to the end. Thank you for all your services to your children, family, friends, Batibo, and beyond. Manyi, I will miss you a lot. Rest in Peace at God's bosom till we meet to part no more.           By Mami Teboh Esther, Texas, USA" ❤

Mama, generally you did well healthwise in 2020 evenwith the Covid 19 pandemic raging around us.You could not go to Doris in Canada or toAudry in Maryland. But you moved back and forth between Sis J in Tinley Park and us herein Carol Stream. I would get the typical supplies before you come here - plantain, cocoyams,okro, smoked turkey legs. Most often I will change your beddings and prepare your room - dusting,vacuuming - just minutes before you arrive.
Christmas came and it was our turn to get you again.This time around I had prepared your space many days prior. But you changed your mind anddid not come with us back to Carol Stream. And you never came again. And you were gonefrom us. You left us. We became empty.
Your room is still arranged, waiting for you to come.But you did not come. Your food was still in the fridge several weeks after your passing. I couldnot consume it. I had no courage to come to terms that you were gone.
I would go to your room, take a pause, stare at thefew items you left. I still hear you talk on the phone, I still hear you listen to your Youtube gospel,I still hear you walking up the stairs and I still hear you telling our kids to make you smoothie.
I think I am always going to still hear you, see youand feel you. For you are still around us in spirit. We will meet again.
Your son, Ruddy

Still can't believe am writing this tribute to honor your time with us. Really don't know where to start cuz my heart is full with lots of beautiful memories with my beloved grand ma,my ibot, my personal lawyer and technical adviser.Still remember all the fight u fought for me even when my parents, uncles, aunties and everyone was against me,u never gave up on me. U really were there for everyone. Your good deeds and your teachings with remain in our hearts. Really don't know who am going to share my secrets too, my visions. Grandma my heart is feel with much sorrow. Really have much to say but can't even write anything straight cuz it like a chock to me. You fought a good fight my angel grandma. I know u watch over us now. May your soul rest in peace till me meet again

My dear sister Esther,
You are my moyo yet I call called you sister Esther because you are my sister by bond and my sister in the Lord. You are so dear to me and my family. You gave me the greatest gift of a wonderful daughter Doris, when the Lord guided her into my family to be Tadoh's loving wife. Through her we have welcomed and celebrate our amazing grand kids Noah, Luke and our namesake Liana Acho Ngwe.

I remember how we prayed St. Jude prayers together, cooked together, ate together, and accompanied our grand kids to their activities. This is just a few of the quality times we shared together, and what is for sure is that I and the entire Munji's family will miss you!

Sister Esther, I believe in my heart that you have gone to a better place, your rightful place in your father's house in heaven, where you will find eternal rest. You prayed and read your bible always. You practiced what you read, taught others to pray and always felt compassion and offered assistance to people in need.

I still have the vegetable, egusi, and crayfish you brought from Cameroon last time. I will dearly miss the time we spent together, and I will miss your words of encouragement.

I pray the Almighty father through the intercession of St. Jude Thadeus and Mary the mother of all children, welcome you to his bossom and offer you a room in his holy kingdom.

Sister Esther, May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen

From your moyo and sister in the Lord, Juliana Munji.

Thank you all in the Gana family for sharing Mami with me for so many years. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to come to know such a beautiful mother. Mami was not only my 'God mother' but she was also my teacher and friend. She showed me how to give more and laugh more in life. She shared with me many things about the past that makes the future clearer to me. And Mami showed me how to make everything tastes delicious! Ten years ago when my own mother passed away, Mami planted a Cypress tree for her in Kwujoh. That graceful tree towers in my heart today. I am so grateful for the time we shared and so sorry we had to say goodbye for now. Mami, I will miss you always. Until we meet again. Your son - 'Ngoh'

Even though I didn't know her personally and from the reports I got, ur mom was a very good person. She welcomed any who came to her. She will cook and make sure everyone who visited the house should not return hungry. Above all, she dearly loved her children. I pray the Good Lord To Take Care of her soul.
Charlie Atogho(classmate to Doris)

Yeye, azieh mbe?

The first day I walked into the Gana's family... Mama told me "now I see, my son be di waka the whole place di look for one of e sisters for get married to. See, you get all your sisters inlaw their shape". Mama loved me from the first day she set her eyes on me.
"Yeye" became our name. Mama used to call every day unfailingly.. Whenever she missed her usual calling time I will ask the son.. What is going on? Mama haven't called yet? .Few minutes later the phone rings... "wosia yeye day, e never cam back from work? ". I used to hear this phrase everyday & I still hear it now, even in my sleep. What a supper woman mama was. No amount of words can describe what a wonder mother mama was to every single humanbeing who came her way. You did it all Iboh, you accomplished your assigned purpose on earth, that is why God called you to come and rest by his side. I can only say keep walking to glory yeye till we meet to part no more. Greet my parents, sister and brother for me. Teshishu yeye.

     Grandmom Ebohhh, I really don’t know where start writing this tribute because your passing is still a shock to me. When I saw you on thanksgiving, you were incredibly strong and full of life; I couldn’t imagine that you would pull a 360 on us. However, I’m beginning to accept the fact that you are gone.
      Whenever you were around, your aim was to unite the family; always telling me to call my mom, dad, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and cousins. You always told me how important family is that I shouldn’t cage myself.
     You never failed to check on me even going as far as calling me 3 or more times every day til I called you back. Being around you was always light hearted and joyous; we always had heated argument about religion & life; all our arguments always ended in laughter followed by us understanding each other’s view points and shared knowledge. Now that you are gone, who am I going to be peppering?
      Though your physical body is expired, you are still with us watching and guiding us. You will forever be in my heart til we me again. May your transition from this world to the next be smooth as butter.
     Always watch over me and send me inspiration from time to time. I thank you from the innermost core of my heart for all the experience we shared and time we spend together, you will be missed and never forgotten.

Your Grandson Nerville.

Phone ringing..gring gring gring...no anwser,1time, severally..yet no answer..days pasts, no calls, no missed calls..this is unusual of you mama.. what's happening..i was expecting to hear your voice saying, Ezang, zang, zang.how wuna dey, you don see that your documents,wemehhhh cameroon!!!..how business, ei di go find? Just di push, push,try, try..you don apply for that school?, you nova see massa for married? Wemehhhhh!!!! as u always exclaimed but yet i couldn't reach you..i know how to get to you.. calling sister Joyce ...hello sister is mama there?(Ezang mama has been down for a while now and she is hospitalized...)OMG i had no idea..ok when she comes back home i will talk with her...days past, didn't hear from you.. suddenly my phone rang , i was given a bitter pill to swallow..uptil this moment i can still taste this bitter pill at the back of my mouth..i have tried all ways to change the taste but it can't...its hard, i mean difficult to believe that u are no more..grammar will fail me, but you were a wonderful mother,an advocate to the helpless ones,God fearing,prayer warrior. mama I know you're resting in the Lord. Adieu mama

        ESTHER ACHO GANA

   A woman courageous and devout
   Strong faith she couldn’t live without
   Led her life with a quiet shout
   It’s Mami we’re speaking about.

   She loved her God with a passion
   Filled with smiles and affection
   Always taught purpose not perfection
   Lived life fully in her own fashion.

   Esther opened many doors
   Yet never asked for applause
   Looked for solutions not the cause
   Found qualities instead of flaws.

   So, let us hear the drumroll
   Her name is written on the scroll
   Her body is healed and whole
   Blessed rest for a beloved soul.

You made life easier to live in this large world. Constant check up, calls and prayers. I was always confident about doing anything because I knew you were there praying about it. I always looked forward to coming home because you will whipe up some cameroonian food that I have never tried. You cared for me and loved me. I will really miss you grandma.

I don't even know how to start. My heart is heavy and I'm still digesting the fact that you are no more with us but rejoicing that you are now in the presence of your Lord Jesus your maker. I'm missing your almost
daily phone calls to check on us and how the business is moving.
Mama you have been a very caring and
loving mum, grand ma, and great grand ma to all your children, step children, adopted children, grand
children, great grandchildren and children in need that crossed your path. You always tried your best to solve everyone's problems or advocate for help from
other places. I had wished you will see my business grow and reach that dream level you had expected and that you enjoyed utmost there of. But God's plans
were different. I'll continue by the grace of God to pursue what you had expected and desired from me and also keep your legacy. I thank God in any case for
your life which despite challenges was still a success.
You fought a good fight of faith and finished the race mama. You will forever be in our hearts till we meet
to part no more. Adieu!!

Your daughter, Audry

Dear grandma, I'll always remember you by how you
checked up on me and told me how things are going
and how you always sing song and tell stories
Your grandson Joed

Santeh Cox (Grandchild)
Grandma was a selfless individual who always put others before herself. She was always a strong, supportive figure to everyone who had the opportunity to know her. Every chance she got, she would sit me down and discuss with me my plans to go to medical school to become a doctor. No matter how many doubts that I had in my mind, she knew I was capable of achieving my goals. As I continue this journey, I know she will be my guiding angel and lead me down the correct path.

Anweih Cox (Grandchild)
My Grandma was the embodiment of giving. I’ve known her most of my life and since I was a child she was always making any effort to give as much as she was able to. From trying to teach us Moghamo and running through her Bible studies, she wanted to give me and my sisters an education on our background and the history of where we come from. She would sew clothes for us when we were younger, which we didn’t appreciate as much in retrospect growing up being kids, but looking back, she again was creating to give us handmade traditional garments that we can wear and treasure in our culture forever. Whenever we would give her presents or money for anything, she would in turn use this to give back to the children back home in Cameroon. Whenever we would come and go traveling between home and school and anywhere else we set our minds to, she would always pray diligently over us and give blessings that we would be safe wherever we end up. She was strong and fierce but passionate with her love and I will forever be grateful for her and the memories we have together. May Grandma Esther Acho Gana Rest in Peace with the Lord.

Engweri Cox (Grandchild)
My grandmother was always doing the most. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but she never half-heartedly did anything in her life. If she was going to cook, she was going to make enough for 12 people even though there’s usually only three or four people in our house. If she was going to sing, you would hear it no matter what. When it came time to pray before our Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners she couldn’t just bless the food and thank God, we had to hear a long ten minutes prayer asking for protection for every single member of our large and far flung family and sit through many adjectives about Jesus’s blessings. Grandma Esther Gana’s best trait will always be her deep sense of empathy. I saw her cry over deaths of people she didn’t even know and advocate tirelessly for the vulnerable and needy in Cameroon even while she was all the way in America. Her compassion and love of servicing others will be passed down many generations in her family.

Albert Cox (Son-in-law)
We miss you being here to fill our home, especially with your calmness, your prayers and your songs. All my siblings who met you remember your kindness, and for the short encounter with you they felt very blessed. Thanks for being the matriarch of the family and serving as the tide that binds, you’ll always occupy that special place in our hearts and minds. We miss all your good stories that took us back to the village, and your delicious cooking for which we still crave.
Though we miss you here in body, we know it is God’s plan, to have you in a place where we can best appreciate your spirit and charm. We will continue to live your spirit of generosity and harmony to make this world a better place to be. We’ll mourn only for a while until we fully understand, you are now in a better place with a warm welcome from Pa Abraham.

Joyce Ache Gana (Daughter: Second Child)
My mother, matriarch of the family and loyal woman of God, I am grateful that you were my mother on this earth. You were a great inspirational mother to many. You connected with people easily. I learned the power of kindness, caring, charity, forgiveness, and compassion from you. You had a soft spot for the disfranchised and constantly challenged us to lend a helping hand. You were our peacemaker. You gave me the opportunity to experience the world, in turn; I gave you the opportunity to experience the world. Like a ripple made by a large pebble dropped in a lake, your influence will reverberate for hundreds of generations to come. I will fondly remember our heated discussions about God. I will ensure that your charity works continue, as you so desired. Your journey on earth may have ended, but I know it continues through us. I am thankful heaven gained yet another angel. Together, with papa Abraham Njong Gana, enjoy the party in heaven and continue to watch over us.  

Doris Gana Munji (last biological daughter)
Thank you mama
Thank you for giving me a chance at life. You already had 8 beautiful and healthy children and thought it was a wrap for you. Then came the surprise!!!! You would name her after you, little did you know she would be your mini you both physically and in your ways.
Thank you for enduring through my mischievous, accident-prone childhood. The God you served sustained us from all those accidents.
Thank you for providing for me through my picky-eater years. I would only want meat and vegetables as daddy always reminded me.
Thank you for guiding me through my adventurous teenage years, for leading me to Christ, for encouraging me to join Christian youth groups (YP and CYF) that would help mold me into a God-fearing woman. Oh and for always supplementing when daddy could not provide all of my school needs.
Thank you for being my number 1 advocate through my young adult years. Even though you were overly protective of your forever baby you still pushed me to become independent. I remember the time you said, go, go to Yaounde and find your sister. I had never travelled by myself before. So I went on this adventure with your blessing.
Thank you for being the most supportive mom through my adulthood. Even though I made some silly decisions you looked beyond my mistakes and stood by me and cheered me on.
Thank you for accepting Tadoh as one of your sons, for the times you spent with our family, for helping to mold Noah, Luke and Liana, for teaching them many songs from your church hymnary, for teaching them their first prayer as you taught us, for teaching them the bible.
Thank you for modelling leadership, endurance, hard work, compassion, humility and selflessness. All you ever wanted in life was to help the poor and needy. I will uphold this mama.
Thank you for allowing me to care for you in your old age, to hold your hand in your last days and now to bury you.
You were the greatest mom that ever lived and I’m forever grateful to have called you mom. I love you mama. Rest well till we meet to part no more.

Your Benjamin- Dodo (AKA ibod Shi Nji- for Munji as you would always called me).

It was so sudden when this great warrior suddenly abandoned the fight for survival and succumb to the call of God. I rejoice always, despite the physical separation, knowing that to be absent in the body is to be present in the spirit. A great scientist once said, " matter is neither created nor destroyed..." One thing is certain, mama, you are alive in the spirit, for spirits never die. On this solemn occasion the greatest thing I can remember of you is the never relinquishing love you had for your children and burden you carried for orphans. During your numerous trips you always made sure you brought goodies to these orphans. International Mami, as you were fondly called, you fought side by side with my Patience, till her demise. I pray your good works, that have been tested with time, warrant you a crown. Good nite mama, mother inlaw and international mama.
Samuel Tebid