She was described as a woman with a heart for patience, affectionate and an intrinsic sense of humor. But at 45 Joana Sarpey Dwomoh, who lived in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia with husband Richmond Dwomoh, and children (Jason and Pearl) has passed away after a protracted illness.

Her death has shattered an entire community of Ghanaians in the city and beyond. It was the kind of life she lived, her impeccable character drawing people together and working for God which saw people also from other parts of Europe and elsewhere to come together in mourning with her family. Among them were: Mr. and Mrs. Bernasko-Apu (from Denmark), Fred Osei Kwame (Canada), Joyce Agyeman (France), Kofi Essien (England) and Kwartey Mensah (Holland). Her sisters Helena Sarpey (from London), Joyce Sarpey (U.S.A.) together with her brother, Theophilus Sarpey (from Germany) were also present.

Her mother, Judith Mamilton, who arrived from Ghana with Rosemond Sarpey (Joana’s sister) was so much distraught she sat in silence throughout the funeral, she was indeed traumatized facing a double agony as her husband died in Ghana when making preparation to come to Italy for her daughter’s funeral. The family were in white cloth as against the traditional black or red and the chief mourner, Asomaning Appiah, explained to the gathering Joana is the first child from the mother to have passed away and the white cloth was in belief to cast away any of such untimely death from happening in the family. Widower, Richmond Dwomoh, in a glowing tribute at the funeral church service, held at Latter Day Saint in Reggio Emilia, described her late wife as beautiful, vibrant and full of energy. “My words cannot fully describe our love together but allow me to say it was ordained by OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. There was peace, harmony, unity and love that existed in our marriage centered on the gospel of JESUS CHRIST,” he told the congregation. There were deep emotions of grief when he added these words: “Joana, what do I do now? The great tree on which I rested has fallen and no more. Your children are devastated and move about like a lost sheep without a shepherd. Although you were strict, disciplinarian you were loving and kind to your children giving them the gospel teaching and training they need. My sweet, kind and generous wife, I will always treasure memories of our lives together, even though your departure from this mortal life has created a vacuum in my life which cannot be filled I do know according to the ‘Plan of Salvation’ there is life after death and I know we shall meet again in the presence of our HEAVENLY FATHER.” Daughter, Pearl Dwomoh, paid a heart-touching tribute to her mother. She said: “Mama, you taught me many things, you guided me always and have learnt how to dress modestly, how to cook, how to respect others and take difficult decisions. I want you well. You are always my mother. I salute you with great pain in my heart but I know that God is doing some great work, preparing a place for our family to be with you. We will go ahead, all the same, knowing you are still near and looking. ‘Ti VOLIAMO BENE , CIAO MAMA’ (We wish you well, Goodbye Mama), she mentioned in her final words of grief before the congregation. Helena Sarpey described her late sister as a wonderful woman who was her inspirer and tutor. “I know I could always trust and rely on her judgment, there was hardly a day passed by that we didn’t communicate,“ she added. For a woman who lived and left a legacy of sacrifice and love, her memory will continue to linger on the minds of all who knew her.