Everybody needs a Maryanne Amodu-Asuku

Her arrival is preceded by a haze of dust rising from behind her car. My sister Maryanne Asuku has just driven into the venue of an event, military style. Her tyres are screeching as she puts the car in reverse and finds a sweet parking spot. She literally jumps out of the car, her shoulders squared, a pair of dark sunglasses framing her gorgeous face, a positive attitude in the air. She is greeting everybody and waving like a politician. Her smile is bright as the sun, her hugs warm and giving. She arrives at my spot, smiles wider than ever… Sister, she says, a tight hug. Where are you sitting? she says. Maryanne Asuku, a woman and a half, has arrived, and everybody knows.

Maryanne carries herself like the leader that she was wherever she went, brilliant beyond compare. She had a logical explanation for most things, and her perspectives were mostly disruptive. It was not something you saw coming, but her position, as disruptive as it was, could hardly be faulted.

She talked fast and laughed easily. She always had so much to say and would roll her words and fall about laughing with you if the story you are sharing is hilariously funny.

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My sister was a cheerleader to the downtrodden, and she would hire a young boy found in a motor garage to work in her house. When you caution security, she reminds you that the boy has no one and that he has become her son. It was a rare quality she shared with my mum.

Maryanne was famously against injustice and could stop on the road to join in a fight against a taxi driver that was unkind to a passenger. When you first arrived at the scene, it would seem like she was the one the taxi driver aggressed, but on further prodding, you would find that she was defending someone she hardly knew. A trooper for justice if ever there was one.

Maryanne’s greatest quality was her quick turnaround to be in your corner if you had a challenge. She would show up in my house at midnight if I just mentioned that I was feeling low. “Sister, I came to provide support.” Then we would gist until 12:30 a.m. before I would shoo her away. It’s getting late, I would say. Whenever she visited, I never knew where time went. Same thing if I visited her. Copious amounts of feel-good gist, laughter, and suya. Lately, she would package a bottle of wine and some chicken suya if I ventured into her home. This is for my uncle, she would say. Greet him for me.

Maryanne did not suffer fools gladly and was intolerant of cheats and frauds. She would carry your matter on her head and take on the risks and the trouble it brought. She would ask me if someone had offended me and whether she should call in the DPO or the CP. It was impossible for anyone to try to unfortunately you if Maryanne had knowledge. She would jump in, take it over, and quench all the fires. Maryanne Asuku is the worthy younger sister everyone should have.

At some point in my life, I had a boss who was mean-spirited. I would call Maryanne at lunch to rant and at dinner time for weeks on end. She would listen, she would be mad with me, and she would strategise with me. Another time, frauds attempted to take something that belonged to my husband. She stood firm, pulling in all her security relationships and surrounding the matter with security men she had hired. My husband and Maryanne got along sometimes to my exclusion when they began their gist. Maryanne would follow you to the ends of the earth if you had a social activity, even if she felt unwell. Everyone needs a Maryanne Asuku in their lives. She always had you covered, making sacrifices for family and friends.

She was deeply sensitive and would be hurt if she felt an unrequited love. Maryanne loved deeply and unconditionally.

This sister was and would always be dear and in my heart. She is all of this and more.

Then, someone mentioned intensive care and emergency on Easter Monday 2025. Do you mean the Pope? Pope Francis? He has just passed. No, I mean your sister, Maryanne. Her husband’s voice sounded distant on the phone. I became confused. As I made my way between hospitals and ambulances. Everything was a blur.

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How is it possible? Maryanne, a true vibe, a true sister, and a good woman, lay still on a stretcher. How is this possible? But God sits on the throne. He gives, he takes; may his name be praised forever. I yield to the will of God. Everybody has time.

Maryanne Asuku’s time on this side has come to an end. It cuts deeply, but we thank God for her beautiful life. May her gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.

Be still, says the Lord, for I am the Lord your God. I am in that place where I still see her arrive in a haze of dust.

Her passing on the cusp of Pope Francis’ passing makes Maryanne a superstar. Unforgettable!

A special person has joined the heavenly saints. May God receive her soul, Amen.