TO AN EXTRAORDINARY LADY
When I woke up on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in area code 237, I took my phone from my handbag to charge it before leaving the house that morning. I thought to myself, “Let me check my messages before getting ready to run my errands,” only to read the shocking, sad, and heartbreaking message from Papa Khloe: “Mummy, Mama is gone!” I screamed, shouted, and began to cry. Everyone in the house where I was staying woke up, surprised and wondering why I was crying so loudly, tears rolling down my cheeks like an open water tap.
My hostess and the kids in the house came to my room, took me to her room, wiped my tears, and tried to comfort me. She allowed me to cry for a while and then said, “Sister Eli, tell me what is wrong.” When I broke the sad news to them, they joined me in weeping. Later, I tried to call Papa Khloe, but the telephone connection was poor. I used my hostess’s phone, and luckily, Papa Khloe answered, but I was still unable to speak because I was so shocked and heartbroken, just continuing to cry. Yes, indeed, God has the final say in our lives. Mami, your spouse, kids, in-laws, grandkids, and their entourage did everything humanly possible for you during your health challenges, but your Maker took the final decision on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Mami Julie Asong and I met in September 1977 at Lycke Bilingue Essos in my Lower Sixth Biology class when I started my career as a Science Teacher. We shared a special teacher-student relationship. She was a calm, soft-spoken, hardworking student who always excelled in my Biology exams. After graduating from high school, I never saw you again until 2016 when Pah L. Asong and you came to see Mercy’s grandmother, Grandma Martha Ambo Nyambi, in Muyuka, as tradition demands when a young man decides to spend the rest of his life with a young lady, and the parents of the young man have given their approval.
Our two children, Mr. Njukang Asong and Dr. Mercy Asong (born Ndamukong), took our relationship to a new level: sisterhood. As the scriptures say, “In everything give thanks.” I thank God that you were blessed to see and interact with the four kids that this union of Mr. Njukang Asong and Dr. Mercy Asong (born Ndamukong) has been blessed with. Mami, your departure has created a void in our lives. You were a quiet, soft-spoken, and silent leader who made many positive contributions to the lives of so many people. As Proverbs 31:27 says, “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Indeed, Mami Julie, you were that virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31. You wore so many hats so perfectly:
- The loving, beautiful, and obedient daughter of Chief and Mah Forche Nchu.
- The hardworking, super supportive, gorgeous, and devoted wife to Pah L. Asong.
- The sweetest mother to all children who came into your life.
- The committed, pious, and God-fearing Christian woman.
It is very difficult to say ADIEU, MAMI JULIE ASONG. We all loved you very much, but God, our Maker, loves you more and has called you to be by His side. You will forever live in our hearts and memories. ADIEU, MAMI JULIE ASONG, Mafua FORCHE. R.I.P. AMEN.