"
FOR THOSE WHO SLEEP IN CHRIST, LIFE HAS CHANGED, NOT ENDED "
 |
| Mrs. Catherine Ebie Musoko née Lyonga |
On behalf of all the descendants of Reverend Daniel Mbua Lyongaand Nyango Susannah Elinge Lyonga, we have the honour to announce, with tears in our eyes, but with immense gratitude to God in our hearts, the transition to eternal glory of our beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, great-aunt, cousin and friend,
Mrs. Catherine Ebie Musoko
née Lyonga, who was fondly known simply as “Makaty”. Makaty exited this earth
on Sunday, November 1st 2020, All Saints Day. MAKATY was (and will forever
remain in our hearts):
⧫
the compassionate and exemplary MATRIARCH of the Lyonga family - the loving and
generous mother to not only her six offspring, but also to numerous children of
family relatives and friends, all of whom she nurtured and raise
⧫ a
devout CHRISTIAN & CHURCH LEADER - Makaty was a God-fearing, prayerful
woman of relentless faith, who imparted the same to all the young ones in her
charge. She made daily bedtime devotions with bible stories, memory verses and
song captivating for all. She relished Christmas time and would organise her
family and Sunday school children in spreading the good news of Christ’s birth.
Going a-caroling in the neighbourhood, and rehearsing for nativity plays at
home and in the Church, were eagerly anticipated fixtures in the community; she
always found time to organise it all and include everyone, too. She also took
on such roles as Church Elder, lay Preacher, patron of several choir groups,
Sunday School Commissioner. She was an active and valued member of the CWF and
was for three decades the President of The Poor & Needy Committee of her
Church. Makaty was also Representative to the World Council of Churches;
⧫ a
perennial INTELLECTUAL & SCHOLAR - Her father was one of the very few
Cameroonians of his time to have been formally educated, so he encouraged his
sons and daughters to fulfil their intellectual aspirations. By gaining a
tertiary education, and doing so at prestigious institutions in Cameroon and
overseas, Makaty was a trailblazer for girls/women for the ages. She did so
with unparalleled intelligence, courage and tenacity. She endured hardships in
getting to the exclusive St. Ann’s Girls’ School – Kudeti, Ibadan, Nigeria, as
a young girl. Later on, in between having her children, she would go on to
study at the distinguished Weymouth Teacher Training College in England (part
of Bournemouth University), and then at the University of Colorado in Fort
Collins, USA. Her daughters as well as the myriad of young ladies she taught
would come to believe “highly educated women” can be the norm;
⧫ a
veteran EDUCATOR - a superlative pedagogue, both nationally and overseas.
Beginning at an early age as headmistress of the venerable Basel Mission Girls'
School Victoria, through decades as Senior tutor of English Language and
Literature in the Baptist Teachers' Training College, Buea - the first Black
woman to rise to such a lofty position within this distinguished and
prestigious institution; Saker Baptist College Victoria (Limbe); and the
Baptist Boys Secondary School, Buea. Makaty also taught in Nice, France; in
Lucerne and Lugano Switzerland, and in London and Dorset, England. She brought
back best practices from such experiences and enhanced the holistic education
to those she taught at the various institutions in her homeland, and indeed in
raising her children. Myriads of Cameroonians in luminous professional careers,
scholastically and otherwise, attribute their success to Makaty’s patient and
diligent academic and overall instruction and guidance. As an educational
leader, she also served on several boards, inter alia the Scholarship Board of
the then West Cameroon; the Board of Governors of PSS Kumba;
⧫ a
CHAMPION of WOMEN'S AFFAIRS and COMMUNITY ORGANIZER - in which capacity she
spent some time studying in the United States as a member of the Association of
American University Women. Upon her return to Cameroon, she applied the knowledge
she had garnered and her experience to found and organize the Progressive
Women's Group of Soppo, Buea;
⧫ a
CULTURAL PROMOTER & INFLUENCER - an eloquent and stalwart advocate of her
beloved Mokpe language, its proverbs, songs, folklore and noble culture. - she
was adamant that Bakweri children (and indeed adults) speak only Bakweri and/or
English, with Pidgin a total taboo! She wrote and was vocal about traditional
Mokpe marriages and customs, including the Liengu initiation rites. She also
spoke (and wrote) faultless Duala, fluent Bakossi and Banyangi, and a
smattering of Bafaw and French, languages.
Makaty was not only
extremely intelligent, she was also blessed with innate wisdom and an affinity
and deep insight into the human condition. With great sagacity, she imparted
her wisdom to many that helped in defining not only their lustrous careers, but
influenced their personal and interpersonal relationships, too. She was
extremely well-connected at all strata of society, and directly enabled as matchmaker
par excellence many fabled marriages of her peers and friends;
⧫ a
SOCIAL and POLITICAL ACTIVIST - as one of the earliest leaders of the W.C.N.U.
in Fako, Makaty inspired women to get involved in the political issues which
affected their lives. Later, she would become the C.P.D.M. Section President
for Fako Division. Makaty always deemed an involvement in politics or any
leadership role as simply a conduit to serving one’s people. She did that well,
and mostly with little fanfare. Her fulfilment was in little things that made a
big difference; like when her influence within CPDM resulted in running water
for the remote villages, etc. Makaty exhibited warmth, grace and humility as
well as an inherent respect for her fellow man regardless of their status in
society. She found equal joy in working for local causes as she did working on
umpteen international forums where she represented her country: a photograph of
her shaking hands and curtsying to Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was
placed next to one of her with some young Brownies dancing in her yard;
⧫ the QUINTESSENTIAL GIRL GUIDE - Makaty was one of the founders of the Girl Guides Association of Cameroon. She rose to become its International Commissioner, in which position Makaty travelled extensively in Africa and Europe attending international conferences and jamborees, as she furthered the movement back in Cameroon.
⧫
We cannot enumerate fully Makaty’s manifold accomplishments and qualities. A
warm, indiscriminate and hospitable hostess at all times, she was well known
for her love of entertaining; for her insistence on daily family ‘sit-down at
the table’ meals which she approached with almost the same gusto as she did
formal dinners with high ranking dignitaries; for her voracious love of
reading, impeccable grammar and diction; for her innate knack for public
speaking - she could easily deliver a powerful impromptu speech at any occasion
or event, even more so when she was a scheduled speaker; for her particularly
avid passion for reading and writing poetry; for her love of pets, of
gardening, of swimming, of long walks in nature; for her love of classical
music and ballroom dancing (think Hammersmith Palais in the ‘60s); for her
nurturing of life-long friendships; for her diligence; for her disciplined yet
friendly and unaffected manner…for her broad smile and infectious laugh.
⧫
Makaty was indeed the archetypical polymath, a dynamic and charismatic woman
who commanded elegance and presence, whilst exuding genuine simplicity and joy;
who, although she had highly refined and sophisticated taste, only had
indulgences for quality and plentiful food for her household and guests,
pristine household linen for everyone in her home at all times, and for
books...yes books of all genre, for Chanel No.5 perfume and the best hand
creams. A graceful and gracious woman, who despite the many challenges she
faced, lived a full, well-integrated and impactful life; who was both loving
and well-loved. Hers was a life well lived.
⧫
Makaty was preceded in death by her daughter, Dr. Olive Musoko; six of
her seven siblings, Messrs. Richard, Jovi Lyonga, Rev. Mbella Lyonga, Mses.
Eposi, Bertha, Nalova Lyonga; her parents, Rt. Rev. Daniel Mbua & Ma
Sussanah Jovi Lyonga; her sister-in-law, Rev. Irmhild Lyonga; her son-in-law,
Kevin L. Kamm, Esq.; as well as a host of cherished and lifelong friends and
relatives.
⧫
She leaves behind to mourn her dearly, her five children; her seven
grandchildren; her two great- grandchildren; her youngest sister (whom she raised
as her ‘first child’*); her ever caring in-laws (Chief Fred Nguime-Ekollo &
Mrs Assia Musoko); her dedicated doctor, Dr George Assam; her acclaimed trusted
housekeeper and confidant of several decades, Auntie Cecy Okole, who
meticulously and lovingly helped implement Makaty’s high standards for her
children and household, during her busy career and frequent travels; her
devoted carers and nurses in her twilight years, who considered looking after
her a great honour - they relished her regaling them with her life stories,
sprinkled with wisdom and witticisms - all of whom became and have remained a
most valued and loving extension to her family; a host of nieces and nephews;
as well as thousands of her former students and other members of the Cameroon global
community who will always cherish their memories of her.
⧫
We, the family, look forward to having a befitting celebration of the life of
this phenomenal woman and icon of our society. Thank you for joining us as we
salute this monumental figure of our time.
REST IN PEACE AND RISE IN GLORY, DEAREST MAMA,
(2 July 1924 – 1 November 2020)
Your children with reverence, deep appreciation and
love:
Ena*, Ndoiya, Bomsie, [Mbangs], Lingus, Ilome, Maloks.
“A
THING of beauty is a joy forever:
Its
loveliness increases; it will never
Pass
into nothingness;
but
still will keep
A
bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full
of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing” ~ John Keats
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