Obituaries

Mary Marube Metobo was born on December 27th 1947, in a small village in Riondong’a, Kisii, Kenya to the late Mzee Harun Mogaka and the late Elisheba Moraa Mogaka. She was the fourth born and loving sister to Drusilla Nyamwange, Rebecca Bosire, Thomas Mogaka, Stanley Mogaka, John Mogaka, Ruth Mogaka, Jane Ombengi, the late Anne Mogaka and Huldah Bosire.

Mama started her Primary education in 1952-56 at Riondong’a Primary School. She proceeded to Nyanchwa from 1957-60 after where she passed very well and was called to Alliance high school, but because her Dad wanted her close to home, she ended up going to Kamagambo Seventh Day High school which was closer home for her Secondary Education in 1961-63.

In 1965-69 Mama worked for ICIPE as an administrative secretary. She moved to Wildlife clubs of Kenya and worked for three years. In 1972 she got hired by African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) which was just starting in Nairobi, and saw it from its inception till 1998 when she retired after twenty six years as an Executive Secretary.

On 2nd December, 1966, Omongina Mary was married to the late Mzee Zachariah Metobo. They were blessed with seven children namely Tracy Osero, Dr Sammy Metobo, Beverly Ongeri, Vera Metobo, Robin Metobo, Brenda Masese and Willis Metobo. She was the Mother-in-law to Patrick Osero, Catherine Metobo, Oscar Ongeri, Howard Harrison and James Masese,.She was also blessed with thirteen grandchildren; Stacey, Diana, Ian, Casey, Johari, Zari, Keith, Jeffney, Zach, Samantha, Joe, Zach, Maya. They were also foster parents to Helen, Fidel, Monique, Celestine, Mama Kado and Ibrahim.

Mama Mary had a selfless and giving heart ever since her younger years. When she retired in 1998 from the African Wildlife Foundation, she knew the time was the perfect for her to do God’s work through charity on a full time basis. Following a crusade in Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Mama Mary was so touched to see that the Street Boys who had given themselves to Christ had nowhere to stay that she decided to give up her Retirement Home to serve as housing for these kids. Mama Mary then spent the next 20 years toiling every day to sustain the institution through the help of many friends and donors. Today “Motherly Care Children’s Home” located in Ruai Nairobi, continues the work of providing shelter to Orphans.

Around the time she left AWF, Mama was diagnosed with Diabetes. Over the last 20 years, she continued to manage the disease even as it progressed and continued to slow her life’s work. Mom’s health continued to deteriorate even during her husband’s sickness and death five years ago. We continued to fight with Mom on this journey to wellness until around 2016 when she got pretty sick and had to be flown to the US for further treatment. Her health stabilized and she spent the last two years surrounded by her loved ones, Kids and grand-kids. She was happy and in stable condition when she departed on Nov 24th.

Even as we congregate here to mourn Omongina Mary’s life, we also have to celebrate the impact she had on so many lives along her life’s journey.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Sunday, December 9, 2018 with a Funeral Service at 2:00 PM at Fremont SDA Church, 225 Driscoll Road - Fremont.