GLADY TSIKATA-AHIABU FUNERAL VIDEO

OUR GRATITUDE IS BEYOND MEASURE!

When we left our various stations to travel to Ghana for Gladys' funeral three weeks ago, it was with a heavy heart and a lot of emotion that our journeys began. Today, after our return to our various stations, I can confidently report that every one of us has a little smile on our faces, gratified that our family truly did honor to our beloved Gladys.

I am not sure I have the words to adequately describe what happened back home. For me personally, I left the shores of Ghana feeling very proud of my family and my heritage indeed. I am sure the rest of us are feeling the same, and Gladys herself must be smiling on all of us right now. It is said that when preparation meets organization and execution, SUCCESS happens. That is precisely what our family did for Gladys' funeral and you had a feeling that it is great to belong to a great family. The amount of preparation that went into this funeral showed in the results. The execution was superb and the dedication to duty by family and friends was outstanding!

Nothing was more overwhelming than the multitude of family and friends who made sure they attended this funeral. It was touching to see them all. It spoke volumes of who Gladys truly was, and it was true testament to her character and values when she was here. Yes, success has many fathers, defeat is an orphan: Gladys had many fathers at her funeral and it is proof positive that she was truly a success when she was here.

Our family is forever grateful to all of you who helped in diverse ways to bring this funeral to its logical conclusion. To the Monsignor and the Reverend fathers and sisters who participated in the entire funeral, we thank you! Torgbuiwo, Mamawo, and the traditional and cultural participants, your presence and participation truly highlighted our rich culture and tradition, and you made our family very proud indeed. We thank you profusely from the bottom of our hearts! To the Headmaster of Keta Secondary School, thank you, Sir, for your generosity to our family.

To friends and family, it is your donations and your willingness to volunteer your time and effort to help us in so many ways that left everyone commenting on how very well organized this funeral was. The credit truly goes to you all. You made all this possible and our gratitude to you is overflowing. Gladys herself must be feeling very good and proud right now. To God Almighty be the glory!

From the Tsikata, Attipoe and the Ahiabu families, we thank you all so very much!!!

OUR FINAL TOUCHES TO LAY GLADYS TO REST....

This is the weekend when those of us from abroad are breezing into town from various parts of the world. My sister Lucy is flying from Atlanta, Georgia, and my brother John is leaving from London, England. Gladys' daughter, Akpene and her husband Mark, are departing from Portland, Oregon. Eli, Gladys' son, is making the trip from San Jose, California, and Makafui, Gladys' daughter, is traveling from Frederickton, Canada. My flight is from Los Angeles and I doing something I have never done before purely in memory of my sister, Gladys: I am flying through the beautiful city of Dubai, just to have a peek and keep that memory with me while I make my journey to say goodbye to my beloved sister. I am going by Emirates Airlines. Makafui is following my footsteps too.

So far, we've come a long way in making all the arrangements for a fitting burial for Gladys. Our family home in Keta will be the central location for all the activities. The headmaster of Keta Secondary School, where Gladys was once a teacher, has been very generous to our family, offering the school grounds for the funeral reception. The funeral mass will be conducted at the Keta Catholic Mission, the very mission where Gladys attended her primary and middle schools. The burial will be at Srogboe, our home town. It feels like coming full circle indeed, taking her right where she started life as a kid growing up, and resting her home by her Dad, James Caledji Tsikata!

Even though we are all grieving her loss, our family intends to make the funeral a celebration of Gladys' very rich and inspiring life, and we will all be there in our numbers to make it happen. It is in these moments that you truly know those who love and care about you. We have received, and are still receiving, donations from various sources and we are extremely grateful to all the donors. We have also received, and are still receiving, lots of help from friends and relatives who have donated their time in all the arrangements we've made so far and it is proper to register our profound gratitude to them.

As I get on the plane tomorrow Friday, October 23rd, to make the journey back home, I am doing so with very fond memories of my sister when she was here. Those memories are indelible now and I intend to keep them that way.

Yes, I do miss her already!

Brother John's emotional tribute to his sister Gladys....

A LOSS TOO PAINFUL TO BEAR!

The news of Sister Gladys’ death came as shock to me because, barely two weeks ago, she had called me to find out how my family was doing. We talked about other family matters and she asked me to make some enquiries for her.

On the early morning of September 1st, 2009, while I was getting ready to go to work, I had a call from my niece Akpene, which I thought was one of our usual calls to tease each other. I began teasing her by calling her Mrs. Hunstiger, and I could feel that the tone of her voice down the line was not as bubbly as she used to be. I paused for a second and I could hear her sobbing, and then she broke the news of her mother’s death to me. I was speechless for moment and could not believe what I was hearing!

Since that day, I have not been able to control my emotions and thoughts to enable me express how valuable Sister Gladys had been to me. One very remarkable moment was how instrumental she had been in my travel to study in the United Kingdom. I would have preferred Sister Gladys to be alive for me to cheer up today, rather than be writing this tribute to her. What a pain this is to bear!

I had known Sister Gladys since I was a little boy visiting my father at Abutiakope. In those days, it was pride having a powerful and educated sister like herself. She took much interest not only in me, but in my younger brothers as well. In 1985, I was applying for a World Council of Churches Scholarship to study in the United Kingdom when arrangements began to stall. At that time, I needed someone to introduce me to the Catholic Diocese in Ho, to confirm that I was a member. All hopes were fading away, signalling I might be losing that Scholarship. I did not know whom to turn to. A close friend of mine, Willie Foster Sapathy of blessed memory, who knew about Sister Gladys’ involvement in the Catholic church, recommended I contact her. Telephone facilities were not good at the time, so we drove on a motorbike to Hohoe. On arrival, Sister Gladys was absolutely pleased to see me. After delivering my mission, without any hesitation whatsoever, she wrote me a note which I took to the Ho Catholic Diocese.

Sister Gladys’ kindness to me did not end there. When she decided to dispose of some of her real property acquisitions over the years, she enquired of my interest and it shows how much she cared about her family and people close to her. On my most recent visit to Ghana, I called on Sister Gladys in Juapong, as I always did, on May 20^th, 2009, to find out how she was. We talked about various issues and her last advice to me was her plea for me to return home someday. I did not, in my wildest dreams, think that that day would be the last I would see her alive.

Sister Gladys, your passing was too sudden and you have left us, your brothers and sisters, our children and the entire family, in disarray. A mighty oak has fallen. Your passing has left a big vacuum in our family.

Sister Gladys, Hede Nyuie. Mawu Nano Kpliwo!!!

From John Yao Tsikata

GLADYS: CALL TO ETERNITY..........

CALL TO ETERNITY

Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, Awadada of Anlo State; Regent Agbodzie Tsikata, Dufia of Srogboe; Regent Nyaho Tamakloe, Miafia of Anlo State and Dufia of Whuti; Regent Patamia of Srogboe; Regent Tretu of Srogboe; Regent Dzoke of Srogboe; Regent Amegashie Afeku of Keta; Regent Gawu of Whuti; Togbi Dzisam of Nolopi; Mr. Patrick Tsikata, Head of Agbodzie Tsikata Family in Accra; Mr. Godwin Kwashie Anagbo, Stool Father of the Agbodzie Tsikata Family of Srogboe; Gidiglo, Havim and Ziddah Families of Aborlove; Attipoe and Allied Families of Anyako; Ahiabu and Allied Families of Keta and Atiavi; Madam Christine Adzorwode Attipoe, Mother; Bloomfield Dutor Attipoe and The Knights and Ladies of Marshall announce with deep sorrow the sudden death of their Beloved –

(MRL) SISTER GLADYS BEATRICE TSIKATA AHIABU (PGL)

AGED 68

· Former Deputy Volta Regional Director of Education – G.E.S. Ho.
· First District Director of Education Denu, Ketu District.
· Former Principal of St. Teresa’s Teacher Training College, Hohoe.
· Former Teacher, Keta Secondary School, Keta.
· Former Teacher, Keta Business College, Keta.

This sad incident occurred at V.R.A. Hospital, Akosombo, on Tuesday, 1st September, 2009.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

THERE WILL BE NO WAKE.

LAYING IN STATE AND FILING PAST THE BODY
Saturday, 31st October, 2009, at the residence of the late J. C. Tsikata (Father) at Abutiakope-Keta from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

BURIAL CHURCH SERVICE
Saturday, 31st October, 2009, at St. Michael’s Co. Cathedral, Keta, at 9: 00 a.m.


INTERMENT
At Agbodzie Tsikata and Allied Families Cemetery, Srogboe (near Anloga), Volta Region after the burial church service at Keta.


FUNERAL RITES & POST BURIAL RECEPTION
Saturday, 31st October, 2009, at Keta Senior Secondary School Grounds.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT KETA
Sunday 1st November, 2009, at St. Michael’s Co. Cathedral, Keta at 9:00 a.m.

Followed by Family gathering at the residence of the late J. C.Tsikata at Abutiakope-Keta.


MOTHER
Madam Christine Adzorwode Attipoe (Accra)

WIDOWER
Mr. Francis Yaovi Ahiabu (former Administrative Manager of Juapong Textiles Limited and former Hospital Administrator, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Dzodze, Ketu District).

CHILDREN
Mrs. Barbara Akpene Ahiabu Hunstiger, Health Care (U.S.A.); Dr. Stephen Eli Ahiabu, Economist (U.S.A.); Ms. Mary-Anne Woedem Ahiabu, Pharmacist, National T. B. Control Programme (Accra) and Mrs. Josephine Makafui Ahiabu Adda, Management Consultant (Canada).

OTHER CHILDREN
Mr. Raphael Ahiabu , Biotechnologist (Tema); Ms. Rejoice Ahiabu, G.E.S.
(Juapong); Mr. Cornelius Ahiabu, Director, Impact Art Limited (Accra); Ms. Judith Worla Ahiabu, G.E.S. (Accra) and Margaret Mary Akuvi Abliza, Nurse (Ho).

BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Mr. Patrick Tsikata, (Accra); Madam Dzigbordi Tsikata (Ho); Madam Emily Gbabuta Tsikata (Ho); Francis Fogah Tsikata, WO1 rtd. (Accra); Mr. Archibald Kwaku-Boye Tsikata, (Prampram); Mr. Victor Tsikata, (Accra); Mr. Matthew Kwasi Tsikata, Pension Consultant and Maths Educator (USA); Mr. Gideon Kwaku Tsikata, Economist, University of Ghana (Legon); Mrs. Lucy Abla Tsikata-Adams (U.S.A.); Mrs. Paulina Tsikata-Dsani, Immediate Past CEO, Women’s World Banking and Former Senior Staff, Standard Chartered Bank (Accra); Mr. Wisdom Tsikata, Deputy Commissioner ( Internal Audit ), CEPS (Accra); Mr. Sylvanus Tsikata (Accra); Mr. Peter Atsu Tsikata, Real Estate Consultant (USA); Mr. Paul Tsey Tsikata, Media Consultant (Accra); Madam Mabel Tsikata, Nurse, Government Hospital (Sogakope); Madam Susana Aku Tsikata, G.E.S. (Denu); Mr. John Tsikata ( U.K.); Dr. Richard Tsikata, Municipal Government Hospital (Ho); Madam Felicia Tsikata (Accra); Mr. Gabriel Sokpoli Tsikata, (Accra) and Mr. Justice Lawluvi, Contractor (Accra).

COUSINS
Captain ( Rtd.) Kojo Tsikata (Accra); Madam Luluvi Tsikata ( Keta ); Major (Rtd.) David Tsikata (Tema); Mrs. Margaret Afi Tsikata (Tema); Mr. Fui Tsikata (Accra); Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata (Accra); Mr. Tsidi Tsikata (USA); Mrs. Egi Tsikata Gaisie (Accra); Ms. Getsa Tsikata (Kumasi); Ms. Doe Tsikata (Accra ); Mr. Dotse Tsikata (Tunisia); Madam Akweley Dartey (Anloga) and Sister; Mr. Doe Nyamasekpor (Accra), Brothers and Sisters; Mr. Michael Kwame Attipoe (Accra), Brothers; Dr. (Mrs.) Chloris Adadevoh (Accra); Mrs. Innocentia Tsikata (Switzerland); Dr. (Mrs.) Edith Clarke (Accra); Mad. Viva Attipoe (London) Brothers and Sisters; Mad, Philomena Attipoe ( Accra ), Mr. Raymond Attipoe ( U.K. ) and Sisters, Mr. Frank Kpodo (U.S.A.); Brothers and Sisters.

NEPHEWS AND NIECES
Mr. Leonard Korku Tsikata (Accra) and Brother; Mr. Sena Yao Tsikata (Accra) Brothers and Sisters; Ms. Joan Atsupi Seshie (Denu), Brother and Sisters; Mr. Kofi Kafu Tsikata (Accra), Brothers and Sisters; Mr. Gabriel Kwasi Tsikata (Accra); Mad. Pearl Tsikata (USA); Ms. Esinam Tsikata (USA) and Brothers; Dr. Dzordzi Tsikata (University of Ghana Legon), Brother and sisters; Mr. Adodo Kofi Tsikata (Accra), Brother and Sisters; Mr. Dela Tsikata (University of Ghana Legon), Brother and Sisters; Mrs. Belinda Adams-Blagogee (Accra), Brothers and Sisters; Messrs. Mawuena and Marie Amegashie (Accra); Mrs. Muina Dsani Wosornu (Accra) and Brothers; Mr. Senanu Dagadu (Accra) and Brother; Mr. Anthony Mawuli Tsikata (USA) and Sisters; Mr. Emmanuel Adodo Tsikata and Brothers (Accra); Mr. Senyo Kofi Tsikata (Accra); Mr. Carl Tsikata (London), Brothers and Sisters; Mr. Julius Kwaku Tsikata (Koforidua), Brothers and Sisters; Mr. Patrick Kwasi Afortude (Asamankese), Brothers and Sisters; Mr. Carl Kuetsidzo (Accra), Brothers and Sisters; and others.



SONS AND DAUGHTER IN-LAW
Mr. Mark Hunstiger (USA); Mr. Patrick Adda (Canada); Mrs. May Bakah Ahiabu (USA).


CHIEF MOURNERS
Regent Agbodzie Tsikata (Dufia of Srogboe); Agbodzie Tsikata and Allied Families Union (Accra); Gidiglo, Havim and Ziddah Families (Aborlove), Mr. Patrick Tsikata; Mr. Godwin Kwashie Anagbo; Dumega Moses Kwakuvi
Tsikata (Anloga); Mr. Edwin Kwasi Glover (Accra); Madam Charlotte Abordahi Tsikata (Accra); Mrs. Annie Tsikata (Accra); Lt. Col. ( Rtd. ) Noah Gidiglo ( Accra ), Brothers and Sisters ; Major (Rtd.) Hubert Atsu Afeku (Srogboe); Mr. Francis Segbedzi (Accra), Brothers and Sisters;
Madam Agnes Yawo Ahiabu Gakpe (Accra); Mr. Clemence Kosi Ahiabu (Accra); Mrs. Agatha Ahiabu Gidisu (Sogakope); Madam Victoria Ahiabu Ashigbie (Woe); Mr. and Mrs. David Adda (Tamale) Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson Bakah (Akosombo) ; Madam Florence Ocloo (Accra); Madam Charity Semevo (Accra); Mr. Livingston Ocloo (Accra); Mr. Dotse Afeku (Accra); Dumega Ezah Tsikata (Srogboe); Dumega Dekakpui Borlu (Srogboe); Dumega Tsimenu Attipoe (Srogboe); Dumega Kwablavi Kudzor (Srogboe); Dumega Fogah Zagbede Attipoe (Keta); Madam Victoria Amegashie (Keta); Madam Faustina Titi Ocloo (Accra); Mrs. Esi Fiakpornu (Accra); Mr. Jack Ametepee (Accra); Mad. Bandele Ametepee (Srogboe); Madam Felicia Zowonu-Bruce (Accra); Mrs. Maggie Gadzekpo (Accra), Brothers and Sisters; Mrs. Georgina Garr (Accra) Brothers And Sisters; Lt. Colonel ( Rtd.) Noah Gidiglo (Accra), Brothers and Sisters; Mr. Carl Lotsu (Accra) and Sisters; Mrs. Sena Ziddah Owusu-Korkor (Accra), Brothers and Sisters; Mr. Bloomfield Dutor Attipoe , Brothers and Sisters; Mad. Helene Ableworvi Attipoe (Accra); Mad. Victoria Gobe Attipoe (Accra) Madam Juliana Jessie Attipoe (Ho), Brothers and Sisters; Messrs. Patrick (Accra); Madam Atsupi Attipoe (Anyako) and Sisters; Madam Gladys Attipoe (Accra); Mrs. Spendlove Ayele Attipoe (Accra); Madam Honesty Attipoe ( Nsawam ); Mr. Agbenyefia Attipoe (Keta) and Sisters, and Obam Attipoe Family Union.

ATTIRE/DRESS CODE

For Saturday, 31st October, 2009 – Black


ALL FRIENDS AND SYMPATHIZERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED.

DR. DOTSEVI SOGAH, Gladys' former student, reacts to the shocking news.

Atsu:

I just returned yesterday from Germany where I was on a special joint research program in addition to teaching a short course from September 6-30.

I heard of Gladys' untimely, sudden and totally unexpected passing from Frank Kpodo, I think, almost immediately after Akpene called him with the sad news. Frank and I communicated regularly via Skype while I was in Germany.

You know she taught me English literature in Form 4. Besides, because I was living at Abutiakope in my in-laws' (Fiawornu's) house at that time, I saw her regularly as the Tsikata house was one of our gathering places. In addition, we overlapped at Legon. She was the person who introduced Josef Amuzu and me to Volta Hall by inviting us to visit a few times in early 1967. She was also one of the handful (although, frankly, I did not know any other student with a personal TV) that had a personal television in her room even at that time, and Joe and I were quite impressed. I called Josef and related the news to him immediately after Frank told me. He was just as shocked as I was.

From time to time I find myself talking about her and Lucia Amenuvor any time there was a conversation about achievements. The last time was this past August when Lucia said she was retiring. This is because the two received Grade One when they finished form 5 at Holy Child. Because, it was somewhat rare for girls in those days their accomplishments made national news. Even their scholarship to go abroad made the headlines. These things tend to be seared in a young person's mind and I am no different. Lucia just retired last month but still in Virginia. I asked Lotsu Amenuvor to convey the sad news to her cousin.

Atsu, forgive me for my rambling. It's just that I am really saddened by this. You see, when Dzidzorgbe returned from her brother's funeral at Anyako she mentioned to me (and Frank confirmed it) that Gladys was at the funeral and that they were all admiring how well she looked. So to hear just a few weeks later that she is no longer with us is a shock. But I know my shock is nothing compared to yours. All I can tell you is that you and the family will be in my thoughts and prayers for quite some time. Receive my sincerest condolences and, please, convey them to the rest of the family on my behalf. These losses are hard to understand but we just have to let God handle it. He knows why and why now.

Once you know the details of the arrangements, please, let me know.

Ketascho Network: It is perfectly appropriate to announce it to the Ketascho network. It is one of the easiest ways to get the word out to those old students who knew her. Kodzo Gbewonyo is in Ghana and I am sure have already heard about it. He should be getting back shortly.

I will call you. Meanwhile, remain strong.

Dotsevi

BROTHER MATTHEW'S VERY VIVID, FUN MEMORIES OF HIS SISTER GLADYS!

It is very hard to lose a loved one, not only because you will not see them again, but more so when they are relatively young. Some of us have lived to see our parents age gracefully and lived beyond their grand old ages of the eighties and nineties. It is not so this time.

Our beautiful sister Gladys had to leave us with no notice and so suddenly. Despite the emptiness and the abject hurt created, we can only console ourselves with the loving and generous memories that she had threaded when she was with us. For me, at a very prime young age, I learnt that I had a sister called Gladys in a very funny way. I was moved from Adeiso to Keta to live with my maternal grandmother. Within a short time living with my grandmother, I noticed this tall young and beautiful girl who passed through my grandmother’s house, selling tea bread frequently. What struck me instantly was that she always beamed a loving smile at me with her nice set of teeth all showing. And that was not all. She always had samples and, most of the time, whole loaves of tea bread for me. At first, I did not even care who she was as long as I had my tea bread coming in. I finally decided to be inquisitive and asked my grandmother who the ‘tea bread lady’ was. It was then that my grandmother told me the ‘tea bread lady’ was my sister. She went on to advise me that I had many older sisters and brothers who were in high places and I should study hard to emulate them.

As a kindergarten pupil at Keta Roman Catholic School in those days, it made no sense what my grandmother was talking about. I was not interested. All I cared about then was my tea bread. It did not take long before I started noticing sister Gladys at school occasionally, asking about my mother and grandmother in succession. What dawned on me at this early age was that, this was someone who really cared about me!

It didn’t take long before I was transferred to the Bremen Mission School (because my grandmother and mother were forever Presbyterians while our father was catholic) when I was entering the first grade. Since I was transferred, I did not see my sister again that often. In the midst of so much attention on education, as my grandmother stressed so much, I concluded that Gladys was going through the same advice with grandma and that was why she did not frequent my grandmother’s house very often anymore. All I remembered was that our father started coming to our house to talk to my grandmother about something concerning me. It didn’t take long before I was moved again to live with my father in Keta. Even though I was cut off from seeing my favorite sister so often, I was able to fortuitously see her while walking past the Catholic Convent building on my way to pick up the dinner package for our father. This routine went on for several years.

Reaching the age of adolescence made me recognize the essence of reading the daily newspapers. It was on one of those occasions that I read about my sister winning one of the coveted and competitive scholarships offered by the UAC (United Africa Company), the company that our father had retired from as one of their highly productive managers. Though she did not know this, I went to look for her at the ‘Kalamazoo Danger Corner Road House’ to congratulate her. Unfortunately, she was not living there anymore. It was not long before I found out she was at Holy Child Secondary School.

Our contacts got much slimmer because Gladys began spending her holidays with her uncle, Mr. Gilbert Atttipoe (R.I.P.) in Accra or with Mr. Emmanuel Tsikata (R.I.P.) in Adeiso. A few years in-between, I was able to get up and go to look for her at her uncle’s house at Osu. There was another long break in my contact with Gladys until she won a Canadian Government Scholarship to study for her Masters degree in Business Education. Gladys returned to Ghana and started giving of her goodwill by teaching at Keta Secondary School. It was the time of my life that I had fully recognized what Gladys was trying to impart to me and our siblings. I could see all my brothers and sisters flourishing educationally and socially. Atsu was a musician in his school band; Paulina was also at Holy Child Secondary School, while I was at Mawuli School, all of us advancing very well academically. All was well with our many brothers and sisters. At this point, I spent my long school vacations with my maternal uncle in Accra and went to Keta only briefly prior to returning to school.

There was this once most memorable moment when I came to Keta on one of my short visits. It was close to Christmas. Sister Gladys had invited me to come to a faculty party with her. I felt so honored to attend that party with her, more so because it made me feel so respected, and that I was also somebody important. This made me respect her even more. I knew Gladys was very good at ballroom dancing. I still remember the days when she and her boyfriend Dunstan Lasey would go ballroom dancing. Dunstan happened to have attended the same high school as I did. Just from the way this gentleman was so kind and friendly to me, I could sense how he cared about Gladys. It was kind of odd to me, many years ago, that they did not end up together. Up till now, if Dunstan should see me, he would be as warm as ever! But that is the way life goes.

On her first visit to Atsu in Los Angeles several years ago, I specifically requested that sister Gladys stop over in Houston, Texas, to spend at least a week with me and my family. I was very honored to receive her. On another of her visits to Los Angeles, I was able to combine a wedding trip to see her again. Since that last interaction, I had not seen her till this sad end.

For me, there is a big lesson I had never learned until now. It is this: To any loved one that you have anything dear to tell, snatch a special moment to let them know. I have so much to talk to Gladys about but I have lost that opportunity by taking life for granted. Even though this is my personal strategy for avoiding stress in my life, I have learnt to reach out and let the closest people around me know what I honestly feel and what I think about them. From now on, I am resolved to find many ways of opening up to friends and family. Lesson learned!

Dear Gladys, even though I am not privileged to see you again, I take this opportunity to bid you farewell. Thank you for doing the things that made me feel so special and highly cared about. Mawu nanor anyi kpli wo. Xede nyuie!