Tributes

TRIBUTE TO OUR BELOVED MOTHER, MARY YEBOAH (ADWOA DARKOWAA)

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” - Proverbs 31:28–29 

Our dear mother, Mary Yeboah, whom we affectionately called Maame, Maame Mary, Eno Mary or Maame Darkowaa, was a remarkable woman, a pillar of strength, a beacon of wisdom, and a true example of resilience and fortitude. 

As a businesswoman, she carried herself with diligence and dedication, managing a demanding schedule filled with consistent business trips. Yet, despite her many responsibilities, she never neglected her most important calling, that of a mother. She lovingly nurtured twelve (12) children, raising two daughters and ten sons into responsible adults. 

Though Eno Mary never had the privilege of formal education, she was deeply committed to ensuring that all her children received one. She made sure that each of us obtained not just an education, but the\ very best we desired and the ten of us alive today stand as living testimonies of her devotion. Her commitment to education extended beyond her own children, she also supported extended family members and our friends who became part of the family. 

Her constant encouragement for education was anchored in her unforgettable words: “The only property I can bequeath to you is the  development of your mind.” 

Indeed, she has left us the greatest inheritance of all education, values and faith. 

Her love was the glue that bound us together as siblings. Because of her fairness toward all her children, we live in harmony, not as rivals, but as friends. Our unity remains one of the greatest legacies she left us. Eno Mary also taught us compassion. She welcomed everyone we brought home with open arms, treating them as her own children. She fed them, housed them, and cared for them with the same warmth and generosity she showed us. Her home was never just for her immediate family, it was a refuge of love, kindness and hospitality. 

Eno Mary was both wise and firm, a loving mother and a fair disciplinarian. She knew exactly when and how to correct us. Each of us tasted her discipline. A memorable instance was when she would reach for her cane in the middle of the night to teach us a lesson. She never chased after us in anger, instead, she would calmly say, “Sj wo ne akokc daa, yjn pj no dabere,” which literally means, “If the hen shares your bed, you don’t make a special place for it.” She was firm and principled, never tolerating acts of indiscipline. 

She embodied patience, love, and decency, virtues she instilled in us her children and extended family. It is no wonder that today we stand as people of good character, living reflections of the values she lived by. 

We cannot count the number of times she sent us to the man of God whom the Lord had sent to Techimantia for his service. She faithfully supported the work of God, often sending us with gifts as acts of service. From her, we learned a profound truth that we are custodians of every blessing God gives us, and others must benefit from it. Indeed, we have all been shaped by her generosity and her deep love for people, a true reflection of her faith and perseverance. 

She was a woman who perfectly balanced business with family life. She cared for us tenderly while instilling discipline, the fear of God, and a deep reverence for truth. One of her core teachings remains etched in our hearts: “Knowing God personally, as your God, is the greatest gain in life.” 

Mother, your life was a testimony of faith, hard work, generosity, and unconditional love. We, your children, are forever grateful. We celebrate you not only for your sacrifices but also for the priceless treasures you imparted to us, education, unity, faith in God, and love for others. 

Her parting prayer for us whenever we visited was always the same: “May God bless you and your family. May the Lord who brought you here take you safely to your final destination.” 

Rest well, Maame Mary, Eno Mary, Obaatanpa. Maame Da yie. Y3n wer3 renfi wo da. Your legacy will live on through us forever.

ENO MARY

you were the heart of our family, a beacon of love, strength, and grace. Your prayers guided us, your words inspired us, and your sacrifices shaped who we are today. You loved unconditionally and gave selflessly. Though our hearts ache with your absence, your spirit lives on in us forever. Rest peacefully, dearest Mother, your legacy of love will never fade.

As we celebrate your wonderful life and bid you farewell, we take comfort in 2 Timothy 4:7– 8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” 

From the very beginning, Maame Darkowaa never treated us as outsiders. She welcomed each of us warmly, embracing us as her own children. She was a woman of peace, kindhearted and gentle in spirit. Her generosity and goodness were not expressed in words alone, but in actions that spoke louder than anything she could ever say. Her industrious nature and dedication to parenting are evident in the responsible and respectful men and women with strong foundations, who we are proud to call our husbands and wives today. 

Maame Mary, as we affectionately called her, was truly a mother-in-law every married man or woman desires. She was wise, thoughtful, and never interfered in our marriages, yet she constantly encouraged peace, love, and unity. She will ask one person from another or send greetings from one person to another. 

Little did we know that those were her own psychological ways of making sure we check up or cared for one another since that made us either visit or call that person to deliver her message. She was indeed a mother for all who extended her generosity and kindness to our larger family members as well. If given the chance in another life, we would still choose her again as our mother-in-law. 

We treasure the cherished memories of how she united us during Christmas gatherings, bringing us together to cook, eat and celebrate as one family. We remember with love how she made us feel special whenever we visited her at home. She would call each of us, one after the other, to come for our special fante banku (etsew) and other food stuff before we returned to our various homes. These small but thoughtful gestures showed the depth of her care and her constant desire to see us happy. These moments of joy and togetherness will forever live in our hearts. Death is indeed inevitable. 

Maame Darkowaa, you are gone, but not forgotten. Your endless love will continue to bind us together as a family. One day, we believe we will rejoice with you when God calls us home.

Obaatanpa Maame Darkowaa, Asiw papabi,

Mama May se: Ayikoo oo 

Sister Joanna se: Ye fe wo 

Sister Adjoa se: Nanti yie 

Aunty Felicia se: Onyame han ndiwanim 

Sister Edith se: Nyame mfa wokra nsie 

Aunty Emmy se: Nyame fawo kra sie ne koko mu 

Sister Mary se: Nanti dwoodwoo Maame Afia se: Da yie 

Till we meet again.

TRIBUTE TO OUR BELOVED MOTHER, MARY YEBOAH (ADWOA DARKOWAA)

Nana,

Today, we say goodbye with hearts full of love, gratitude, and sorrow. You were more than a grandmother, you were our guide, our storyteller and a steady source of strength. You filled our lives with warmth, wisdom, and laughter, teaching us values like respect, humility, and faith. Even simple moments like teaching Maame how to soak her feet before trimming her toenails, became lessons about patience and care. We still smile at the funny memories, like Nana imitating Mister Maker and getting into trouble while you playfully reported to her parents. Your deep kindness, unwavering love, and calm presence shaped who we are and reminded us always to honour our roots. You always showed genuine interest in our lives asking about school, encouraging us to study hard, and reminding us to put God first. Your prayers and words will always stay with us. 

We will never forget your hugs, your voice, your food, and the way you made each of us feel seen and loved. Even in your silence, you spoke volumes. 

Though you are no longer with us in body, your spirit lives on in our hearts, in our stories, and in the lives we lead. The name Darkowaa continues in the younger generation, a lasting tribute to the remarkable matriarch you were. 

As 2 Timothy 4:7 says: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Nana, you have finished your race. Rest well in the Lord. You may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. Y3behyia dabi. Da yie Nana Darkowaa.