Marietheresia Manka Nche was born on June 6, 1969 in Bamenda, Cameroon. Marie was the second of six children to Magdelene Nche. She spent most of her life under the care of her grandparents, Wilfred Nche and Lucia Nche. Marie went to primary school in small mankon Bamenda and continued her secondary education at CCC Mankon Bamenda in 1976. Marie then left school and pursued her dream as an entrpreneaur. She went to beauty school and graduated with flying colors. She opened her own salon (Wil and Lu) and her business was booming. Because of how well business was going, most of her siblings had to join her to work in the salon. She then married Richard Fonji in 1994. They later had three daughter. She was very courageous, God fearing, loving, hard working, and generous. Theresia loved to cook a variety of Cameroonian dishes especially, Achu, Khati Khati, and bitterleaf soup. Many people enjoyed her delicious meals, her giving and welcoming attitude.
In 2001, Marie migrated to the United States of America to join her long time friend and sisters Caroline Muforsi and Horstensia Che. Marie is a mother of five children and was later accompanied in the United States by them in 2006. Geraldine Nche, Elvis Nche, Adele Fonji, Shearon Fonji, Courtney Fonji and her now ex-husband, Richard Fonji arrived in the United States to get the opportunity for a better life. While in the United States Theresia continued to pursue her knowledge and interest in taking care of others. She got certified as a Nursing Assistant. Later, she went to cosmetology school and graduated in 2007 with an Associates degree. Marie was a person who wore many hats: she was an amazing cook, a wonderful hairstylist, a faithful friend, a humanitarian, and a caring mother and grandmother. She lived to watch all her kids graduate and was blessed to witness her three oldest children get married in the same year. Marie has three grandchildren Amir, Braydon, and Chiara and found pleasure in taking care of them. She attended St. Nicholas catholic church and later became a comitted member of the Catholic Women Association which she loved dearly.
On April 28, 2021, she was rushed to the hospital and was later diagnosed with a stroke on the left side of her brain. After some improvement and sign of recovery, the doctors discovered that she had another stroke on May 8th on the right side of her brain which left her completely brain dead. After lots of prayers, the doctors had no choice but to take her off life support and on Monday May 10th 2021, our loving mother, grandmother, friend, sister, and daughter took her last breath. She is so dearly missed by many and will never be forgotten.
