A Tribute from your granddaughter

My Grandmother was an inspiration, a warrior, a bright light amidst darkness, a ray of sunshine, and above all a truly genuine and good person. Her story is one that truly deserves to be told and shared with everyone. I remember the first time I had ever seen her in person. I was 7 years old. I remember the way she looked at me with so much love and adoration. She held me and my brothers for hours. She laughed with us, she played with us. Her smile and laughter were infectious. I will never forget that day. I am now 20 years old. I never expected that day to be the last time I would ever get to see her again. She was really my role model and her character and attitude towards life was one I admired and looked up to, and still do. She was a go getter and a fighter, a business woman. She was just such a beautiful soul. It is still so surreal that she is no longer with us. Just before this we were anticipating her arrival to Ireland. We were looking for anyway possible for her to stay with us permanently to the point of frustration because things just weren’t going our way. I had so many plans for when she was supposed to arrive. I had so many questions to ask. I was looking forward to so many stories that I’d imagine she would tell me. Stories about my mum when she was younger, stories of her eventful and interesting life. I had so many plans for her arrival, we even had a room already set up for her and we would talk about different things we would do when Grandma would come. It hurt so much when they denied our visa application and our visa appeal for her. I am so broken at the thought that I won’t be experiencing all of the things I anticipated but yet I am comforted because I know the impact she has left with so many people and I know a lot of people have many stories to tell about my grandmother.Her spirit was so strong I just know that she is looking over us all. I’m starting to feel her blessings already. From all the phone calls we’ve had over the years she’s always given me advice she was so wise and loving. Grandma, me and the boys miss you so much, especially Mum. But we know you’re now in a better place smiling down at us, reunited at the right hand of the Father and also reunited with your husband, my grandfather❤️ Thank you for everything,

Ashley

A Tribute From Your Daughter Ida
Reme, as I often called you. “Cherie” is what you always called me. I wish I could hear you call me this once more. I miss those times whenever I would miss your call and call you back and you would say “Cherie don’t forget me oo” I miss our long conversations and how you used to always encourage me and praise me on how much I have achieved in life even when I didn’t believe in myself.

I had so many plans for you Reme. It would’ve meant the world to me to have you in Ireland with the family. The kids really wanted you to live with us in the house and I know how much you would have loved to spend time with the kids. Now they’re missing out on that quality on time with their grandmother and I’m missing out on time spent with you. But I know you are looking down on us and watching over us. What saddens me is that things could have been a lot different had I been given The opportunity to look after you the way I truly wanted to. Nonetheless I will not dwell on the what if’s but truly spend the rest of my time remembering the strong, amazing, beautiful, caring mother you were to me. I am truly blessed that I have someone like you to call as my mother. Reme I love you so much and although it deeply upsets and disturbs me that you’re no longer here I am comforted that your strong spirit is taking care of us from above and looking after your children and grandchildren. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. For fighting for me, for loving me, for the impact you had on my grandchildren’s lives. Reme you will surely be missed. I love you always and forever ♾

Tributes from your beloved daughter in-law
Mami, meeting you was a blessing,A hard working woman.I learnt a lot from you mama, you embraced every child without exception.Thank You for the love and care towards me and your grand children.you will forever be in our hearts.Rest well and sleep on...
      You beloved daughter in-law Fonyonga J. Azanui

Tributes from Dinga Winston Fonyonga
Mama, l never knew you were to go so soon. You stopped talking at the General hospital with my name on your lips, calling on me but unfortunately l came when your eyes were already closed even though you were still breathing. I did all l could to reinstate blood circulation through manual and instrumental massage but it only sustained you for some few days. l wish l would have been there earlier, The only words you uttered during the massage at times were "l beg, l beg". If only money could buy death, we would have bought over your life and remain poor in the rest of our lives, l remember back in the days when l was in the University of Buea, all my professors knew you, though some of them were your class mates. You did everything possible to see me through successfully in the University even when l was at the verge of given up with the idea of moving abroad. You stood firmly behind me, visiting me on regular basis just to make sure that l remain concentrated on my Studies. Mama, you had a vision for your children, Your crave for success was so high that you did everything possible to see us through, l remember at Mile four limbe where you took up a Contract activity with CDC just to ensure the continuity of our education for Ida and I. You were very rigorous, disciplined and hated lies telling. You were nicknamed Margrette Thatcher because of your strict and disciplined attitude. Despite the beatings and shoutings, you did all these for the benefit and wellbeing of all the children indiscriminately, Mama, l still can't forgive myself for not being there when you needed me the most. You shall for ever remained engraved in our memory. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Your son
Fonyonga Winston Dinga

A tribute from the Kangkolo children

An Aunt is a special gift
Received from God above
He starts out with compassion
Then adds an abundance of love

She taught you to do so many things
Caring for you as if you were her own
You could talk to her about anything
Always welcoming you into her home

Her dedication is unconditional
To that there is no end
And as you get older
She becomes more like a frend

She is always willing to help you
Any way that she can
Watching you grow up
She was your biggest fan

She has tremendous faith in you
She just had that special touch
It’s no wonder then dear Aunt
Why you are loved so much!
The Kangkolos

A special tribute Tribute to My Baby Sister Ma Mary Fonyonga LangBa
Little did we know that morning
God was to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.
Go in peace and prepare a place for us. Greet Nah, Ma Alice, Ma Yea, Ma Grace, Michael and all that have gone before us. Rest in peace Baby Sister until we meet again.You will be forever Missed: Na Margaret Guyenyonga

Helen and Mathew Gwanfogbe- Tribute to Auntie Mary Fonyonga:
Our dear Auntie Mary, we jack words to say Farewell because your passing on to Glorytook us unawares. The news of your untimely death was quite shocking and devastating to us. You were special to us in ways that we cannot fathom. First of all as my babysitter at your tender age as you grew up with your senior sister my mother, you always gave me special treatment even up to when I got married. You always told me that I should know that you are the first child of Mama and Papa Njinimbam and indeed we regarded you as such. You were the first person to meet and know my husband before my parents. You showed him love from the day you met him and had a special bond with him. You sewed all the costumes for my bridesmaids and made my wedding your priority. Your kindness and hospitality knew no bounds. Your laughter had a contagious and rippling effect on those around you. Your gifts and talents drew many people closer to you especially the womenfolk you were both a seamstress and a businessman magnate. These and other memories of our time together, especially in Buea remain indelible in our minds.
You were a disciplinarian,  hardworking and energetic. You supported your husband Ba Tita Langba in bringing up the children you had and other children who were not your biological children. Yiu were a mother to many because of your compassionate heart.
As human beings, we all have our flaws. Your kindness and care for others overshadowed your flaws. I believe that you lived a fulfilled life here on earth according to God's purpose and will for your life. You achieved a lot as a Mother and in the sphere of business. Your legacy lives on. We pray for the peaceful repose of your soul in the bosom of your Maker. May your soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace in the Lord.
Your memories shall remain evergreen in our hearts. Good night sweet angel, intercede for us together with those who have gone before you. We know we shall meet one day in God's heavenly kingdom to part no more. Adieu! We Love you.
Helen and Mathew Gwanfogbe.

Kah Winifred Bangu- Tribute to my dear Sister Ma Mary Fonyonga:
Death Oh Death, Death, where us thy sting! You have taken from me by sisters, friends and mentors and left me by myself with no one to turn to for support or advice. There were six of us, all girls but now we are just two left. I believe God has a reason for everything that happens to us here on earth. I accept my fate and look up to God, my rock and my Redeemer whi sustains me and has my everything in the palms of His hands. I know and believe His time is the best.
Your untimely death was a big blow to me and I am still to come to terms with it. You answered God's call exactly on the 8th of March, 2021, the same day our senior sister Na Bola Njinimbam also answered God's call 2 years ago. Was it by design or is it a coincidence? Well, my dear sister, I know you gave joined her in God's heavenly kingdom. Intercede for us so that one day when we all answer that same call, we shall reunite to part no more. I thank God for the time we spent together here on earth and I pray that your soul will rest in perfect peace in the bosom of your Maker. Good night my dear Sister we shall meet on that beautiful shore one day to part no more. You shall forever remain in my heart. Adieu! I Love you. From Kah Winifred Bangu.

Mothers dedicate their lives to caring and providing physical and emotional support to their children even in the most difficult times. Because of you I gained strength, confidence, and independence. You were amazing, beautiful, stylish with an infectious laugh. I admired your strength and your ability to instill self confidence in your seamstresses. You could sew a fabulous dress overnight to wear for Sunday service and looked like you came out of the pages of the most famous magazine.
Tomorrow, I will be coming home to an empty house. My mind still talks to you, and my heart still looks for you, but my soul knows you are at peace. I looked up today and saw stars. Perhaps they are not stars, but openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pour through and shine down upon us to let us know they are happy. I know you are happy. You finally joined Papa and all the children who went before you. I will never hear you call my name again or tell me Ida and I looked like we belonged to a different mom. Our hearts are heavy, but we can only seek comfort from God. Go well Mammy. Good night Mammy. Julie Tengen and Family.

First and foremost, thank you for the special legacy you have left behind in the form of my own lovely mother. With all she has been through in life to get to where she is today and as she continuously strives for even better, it’s hard to not acknowledge the values and morals you’ve bestowed on her. With that, I carry myself each day through life thinking about how my mum has impacted my life in a similar way, so my thanks to you for being part of that.

Secondly, your laughter, strong will and almighty faith in God has done well to leave an everlasting impression on everyone who was blessed to have met or known you. For some people it takes a lot to show who they really are to others, and you seem to have done that so effortlessly with so many people. Thank you for showing us all in the family how to take pride in ourselves and faith with God.

Lastly, but by no means least, all of us grandchildren will always make sure you are never forgotten. I’m genuinely happy and grateful for the love you shared with us all, and I pray that your soul is resting in a greater place of peace - by the grace of God.

Yours truly and with eternal love,

Jamal

Mama
It is hard to believe you are gone. I miss you my dearest mama. From the very beginning, my first ever phone call to you -I was accepted in the family. You are the amazing woman who gave me a wife far better than anyone deserve.
You touched my family’s heart in so many ways; you showed true Love to my late mum and cared for her.
The time we shared meant so much to me and I had a lot of fun. Thank you for being more than I ever expected you to be, Mama.
Rest in Peace and thank you for everything.
Your son in law
Abdul Bangura

Mama
It is hard to believe you are gone. I miss you my dearest mama. From the very beginning, my first ever phone call to you -I was accepted in the family. You are the amazing woman who gave me a wife far better than anyone deserve.
You touched my family’s heart in so many ways; you showed true Love to my late mum and cared for her.
The time we shared meant so much to me and I had a lot of fun. Thank you for being more than I ever expected you to be, Mama.
Rest in Peace and thank you for everything.
Your son in law
Abdul Bangura

Mammy, I have been putting this off because every time I thought of writing this tribute, it meant this was a confirmation that you are truly gone. Words cannot describe the unbearable pain of great loss that I feel in my heart. They say time is a great healer, but how can I fully heal when part of me has gone?
Mammy you were an incredible woman who was beautiful, God fearing, selfless with a warm loving heart who put people's needs first before hers, generous to a fault to the extent that behind the scenes your children called you 'mammy charity'. Your contagious laugh brought joy and happiness to all.  You were a disciplinarian and the sound of you voice shouting at me used to 'scare me to death' but with the same breath you are telling us off and in the next breath you are asking us if we were hungry and want to eat. You were hardworking and determined, loving, kind, compassionate and a mother to all.
Mammy, I am so grateful for the way you raised me as your first child, you thought me right from wrong and always encouraged me to do my best. I know I resented your strict discipline and shouting, but you always let me know that I had a mum who cared about me, who believed in me and who would be there for me no matter what. Growing up with that kind of support made a difference in my life, it made me who I am today.

As I reflect on my life back in government school Bota when I used to go to your shop in Middle farms after school to assist with selling in the shop, while you concentrated on teaching the ladies (apprentices) how to sew. At my young age I learnt a lot of skills from taking monthly stock of the goods that was sold in the shop, learning how to do cross stitching, covers for chair pillows, sewing buttons on dresses, hemming and using the foot machine to sew dresses for dolls etc. This carried on when we moved to Buea, I did the same during school holidays, selling the goods that you used to bring from Nigeria at the Great Suppo Market on Saturdays, going from office to office with a list of names of your debtors asking them to make payments because whenever they saw you coming, they would run and hide in the toilets. While in Saker Baptist college, my favourite day was 'Visitor's Sundays'. You used to be the first visitor, yourself and Papa. Papa used to say "You know if you don't go early Nabila will start crying". You used to cook so much food and I was so delighted to share with friends and family members who didn't have any visitors and they all still remember your delicious meals up till today. You were very popular with your excellent cooking skills and I am glad I learnt some of those skills.
Mammy, you groomed me to became an entrepreneur like yourself. You left school to get married and I remember you telling me that you wanted to continue your studies and Papa told you that he didn't want a part-time house wife. You learnt how to sew and enagaged in all the businesses that you did, education yourself as you went along. "Formal Education Will Earn You a Living, Self Education Will Earn You a Fortune"
The lesson I have learnt from this is that we should never rely on a single stream of income. I have not relied on the single income from my nursing career, I have been able to leverage my time doing other side businesses, earning multiply streams of income. By so doing, I have been able to meet the high demands and responsibilities as the first child providing support to yourself, my immediate family in the UK and family in Cameroon. For this I am so grateful for the very rich and priceless upbringing you gave me.  
When you had the first fall in February 2020, we didn't know what to expect but you pulled through. When you had this fall in March 2021, we believed that you were going to pull through. Your passing was a shock to all of us but we believe it is God's Will. Mammy you were the back bone of the family, the Lioness that knew how to protect and defend her family no matter what, your unconditional love goodness to all whom you touched in every way will never be forgotten.
Mammy you were a brilliant mother and Grandma. I promise you, I will continue in your legacy. You will be sadly missed. I LOVE YOU MAMMY!, until we'll meet again, May your soul rest in perfect peace.

                              Your Loving Daughter, NABILA.

Dear Grandma,

I don't know how to put into words the shock and disbelief I still feel, knowing that you are gone.
The last time we spoke, you were laughing because I said that when you next come to London, you need to bring the Sun with you too as we we're over here in miserable weather. I've always loved how contagious your laugh was. It's something I could hear just from looking at a photo of you in a joyous moment.
It's so heartbreaking that you're gone. The warmth of our last conversation is something I will never forget and I hope to channel your strength and love as we carry on this next chapter in life.
Even though you are gone, your laughter will continue to be an echo of warm waves that feel as though you are still here and always near. It will be a memory of healing rather than loss and one of many beautiful memories of you, that will forever be in our hearts.
I find comfort in knowing that you are continuing to spread that humour and love in a place where you are at peace.
Until we meet again,
Love you Grandma
Your granddaughter, Yasmin

Dear grandma,
I am going to miss you so much. I am going to miss our phone calls and our video calls because you never failed to make me laugh every time we spoke on the phone. I'm going to miss you calling me Nahnyonga because nobody calls me that except you. I'm sad at the fact that I didn't get the chance to travel to Cameroon to see you but as my older self. I'm also sad that you won't get to see me graduate like we planned. But I am glad we still have good memories, memories of us seeing each other when I went to Cameroon as a child and when you came to our house here in London. You had such a kind and loving spirit. I will always love and cherish you. May you rest in peace ️ ️

Your granddaughter, Jamilah

Aunty, it is with a heavy heart that I pick up my pen to write my thoughts about you. You know sometimes in life, we procrastinate and let life pass us by without us telling our loved ones how much we cherish them. I guess this is one such moment. I want to hug you and tell you “I love you” but it’s too late. All I hold on to,are memories of the past. I remember your contagious laugh that always resulted in me laughing sometimes without even knowing why. You had this jovial and adventurous spirit in you that brought excitement wherever you went.
But most of all, I’ll remember your business ventures. 1975 in Limbe, your tailoring shop in Middlefarms where you produced such cute baby clothes that the only supermarket at the time , Printanier”, accepted to sell them for you. The fashionable outfits you sewed for me. My “mother and daughter” tea party dress during my graduation from Saker was the talk on campus. I always called you “auntie branche “,because you were forever young at heart and full of life.
I heard about your illness but wondered how the doctors succeeded to make you take your medications. Do you remember how we used to spend all day just for you to swallow a tiny pill. We always ended up making a little garri and Okra, then stuff the pill in the garri for you to swallow.
I remember the parties you and I attended while you lived at mile 4. Everyone was asking if you were really my aunty or my friend. We would drink and dance till early hours. Oh yes, not forgetting how we read our horoscopes every morning and compared notes.
How can I put down all these memories? Is it the business projects we wrote or the girl talks we had or even the disagreements we sometimes had? All these only made our friendship closer. You and I could tell each other anything.
Auntie, I will truly miss you. The best people in my world are slowly going away. I know you are now United with Ba TITA, Mamon and Papa, Na Yeh, auntie Alice and auntie Yeba. There must be a lot of talk up there right now but we are blessed because we now have a host of angels watching over us. Aunty, do not be sad. We the children will take care of each other. Rest In Peace with the Lord until we meet again. Jonas and the children say adieu. We love you.

Your niece, Emeline Fodje

Kah, I will always remember the good times I spent with you and your infections laugh that made me realize you can always find a reason to smile/ laugh. Rest now in the Lord until we meet again.

Ma Mary,

How can i eulogize you? What happened my personal person? Just like that and you are gone forever? It still feels like a dream. I can still hear your voice and your giggles. The news of your passing sent shock waves through our hearts. You had a heart of gold yet a no-nonsense mother, a mother who loved and fed everybody who passed by, a feisty mother who feared no one when it came to expressing your mind. You will thunder at your loved ones but the next minute you will be laughing with them. This showed us that tough love was the name of the game.

We had our special relationship that only 'us' understood.  I remember the last time we spoke after a long time, you were extremely happy to hear my voice.  Ma Mary the replica of 'Margaret Thatcher' that i met physically,  we will forever cherish the time that we spent together on this side of eternity. All the life lessons you taught us will remain in us forever. We love you, but God had a better plan for you so he called you home. Journey on well mother until we meet again.
Marion.

First and foremost, thank you for the special legacy you have left behind in the form of my own lovely mother. With all she has been through in life to get to where she is today and as she continuously strives for even better, it’s hard to not acknowledge the values and morals you’ve bestowed on her. With that, I carry myself each day through life thinking about how my mum has impacted my life in a similar way, so my thanks to you for being part of that.

Secondly, your laughter, strong will and almighty faith in God has done well to leave an everlasting impression on everyone who was blessed to have met or known you. For some people it takes a lot to show who they really are to others, and you seem to have done that so effortlessly with so many people. Thank you for showing us all in the family how to take pride in ourselves and faith with God.

Lastly, but by no means least, all of us grandchildren will always make sure you are never forgotten. I’m genuinely happy and grateful for the love you shared with us all, and I pray that your soul is resting in a greater place of peace - by the grace of God.

Yours truly and with eternal love,

Jamal

Dear Grandma,

I don't know how to put into words the shock and disbelief I still feel, knowing that you are gone.

The last time we spoke, you were laughing because I said that when you next come to London, you need to bring the Sun with you too as we're over here in miserable weather. I've always loved how contagious your laugh was. It's something I could hear just from looking at a photo of you in a joyous moment.

It's so heartbreaking that you're gone. The warmth of our last conversation is something I will never forget and I hope to channel your strength and love as we carry on this next chapter in life.

Even though you are gone, your laughter will continue to be an echo of warm waves that feel as though you are still here and always near. It will be a memory of healing rather than loss and one of many beautiful memories of you, that will forever be in our hearts.

I find comfort in knowing that you are continuing to spread that humour and love in a place where you are at peace.

Until we meet again,
Love you Grandma

Your granddaughter, Yasmin

Aunty, it is with a heavy heart that I pick up my pen to write my thoughts about you. You know sometimes in life, we procrastinate and let life pass us by without us telling our loved ones how much we cherish them. I guess this is one such moments. I want to hug you and tell you “I love you” but it’s too late. All I hold on to,are memories of the past. I remember your contagious laugh that always resulted in me laughing sometimes without even knowing why. You had this jovial and adventurous spirit in you that brought excitement wherever you went.

But most of all, I’ll remember your business ventures. 1975 in Limbe, your tailoring shop in Middlefarms where you produced such cute baby clothes that the only supermarket at the time , Printanier”, accepted to sell them for you. The fashionable outfits you sewed for me. My “mother and daughter” tea party dress during my graduation from Saker was the talk on campus. I always called you “auntie branche “,because you were for ever young at heart and full of life.

I heard about your illness but wondered how the doctors succeeded to make you take your medications. Do you remember how we used to spend all day just for you to swallow a tiny pill. We always ended up making a little garri and Okra, then stuff the pill in the garri for you to swallow.
I remember the parties you and I attended while you lived at mile 4. Everyone was asking if you were really my aunty or my friend. We would drink and dance till early hours. Oh yes, not forgetting how we read our horoscopes every morning and compared notes.
How can I put down all these memories? Is it the business projects we wrote or the girl talks we had or even the disagreements we sometimes had? All these only made our friendship closer. You and I could tell each other anything.
Auntie, I will truly miss you. The best people in my world are slowly going away. I know you are now United with Ba TITA, Mamon and Papa, Na Yeh, auntie Alice and auntie Yeba. There must be a lot of talk up there right now but we are blessed because we now have a host of angels watching over us. Aunty, do not be sad. We the children will take care of each other. Rest In Peace with the Lord until we meet again. Jonas and the children say adieu. We love you.

Your niece, Emeline Fodje

My Grandmother was an inspiration, a warrior, a bright light amidst darkness, a ray of sunshine, and above all a truly genuine and good person. Her story is one that truly deserves to be told and shared with everyone. I remember the first time I had ever seen her in person. I was 7 years old. I remember the way she looked at me with so much love and adoration. She held me and my brothers for hours. She laughed with us, she played with us. Her smile and laughter were infectious. I will never forget that day. I am now 20 years old. I never expected that day to be the last time I would ever get to see her again. She was really my role model and her character and attitude towards life was one I admired and looked up to, and still do. She was a go getter and a fighter, a business woman. She was just such a beautiful soul. It is still so surreal that she is no longer with us. Just before this we were anticipating her arrival to Ireland. We were looking for anyway possible for her to stay with us permanently to the point of frustration because things just weren’t going our way. I had so many plans for when she was supposed to arrive. I had so many questions to ask. I was looking forward to so many stories that I’d imagine she would tell me. Stories about my mum when she was younger, stories of her eventful and interesting life. I had so many plans for her arrival, we even had a room already set up for her and we would talk about different things we would do when Grandma would come. It hurt so much when they denied our visa application and our visa appeal for her. I am so broken at the thought that I won’t be experiencing all of the things I anticipated but yet I am comforted because I know the impact she has left with so many people and I know a lot of people have many stories to tell about my grandmother.Her spirit was so strong I just know that she is looking over us all. I’m starting to feel her blessings already. From all the phone calls we’ve had over the years she’s always given me advice she was so wise and loving. Grandma, me and the boys miss you so much, especially Mum. But we know you’re now in a better place smiling down at us, reunited at the right hand of the Father and also reunited with your husband, my grandfather❤️ Thank you for everything.