Obituary of Damaris Ateka Etsefu

Ms. Damaris Ateka Etsefu was born on November 28, 1952 to the late Mr. Simeon Mutanda Etsefu and Josephina Mutanda Etsefu. She went to be with the Lord on September 13th, 2015 at the LAC+USC Medical Center, after a long but courageous 15-year battle with thyroid cancer. Her children were by her side. Ms. Damaris was born and raised in the city of Kakamega in Western Kenya. After graduating from Ekatsombero Primary School and Bunyore Girls High School, Ms. Damaris went on to train as an elementary & middle school teacher at Thogoto Teacher’s College (which was founded by the Church of Scotland Missions, and is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa). She began her teaching career in 1976 and went on to become a highly accomplished English, Mathematics, Science and Music teacher until her retirement in 2008. Ms. Damaris gave her life to Christ in 1982 and was a member of Nakuru Happy Church in Kenya. Her Leadership and Christian Ministry involved the Women’s and Children Ministries, Evangelical Mission teams, Intercessory groups and Bible study/Life groups. Since immigrating to the United States in 2013, Ms. Damaris became a member of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Chatsworth, California, where she also served as the Nursery Attendant until her passing. Ms. Damaris is survived by her children, Pastor Pascal Amboka married to Ruth Amboka, and Jacobett Wasonga-Agak married to Dr. George Agak. She was sister to Ekren Amboko, Zablon Mutanda, Joseph Mutanda, Rosemary Kang'a and Joshua Mutanda. She was grandmother to Benaiah, Zuri, Allan, Collins, Brian, Sianwa, Enza, Stephan, Jennings, and many others. She was auntie to Dr. Simon Kang'a married to Juniette Kang'a, Ayub Khamati married to Joan Khamati, among many others. Mum Damaris was blessed with a full life. She defied many odds, yet enjoyed sharing her calm, peaceful demeanor and humor with her family and friends. She loved to pray, sing, read, teach, crotchet, knit, and garden. Even when her bones were weak with cancer, she faithfully and lovingly harvested citrus fruits from her garden and hand-squeezed them to make lemonade and grapefruit juice shat she joyfully served her family and friends. As eloquently shared by one of her grandchildren, “To Damaris Ateka who As a mother gave us grace, a grandmother gave us a steady rock to lean on, As a teacher gave us a firm hand and hard truths, as a woman a role model, As a Christian reminded us of charity, and as a person absolutely...gave everything … everything! She was strong and did more than we ever asked of her, Yet what we unknowingly needed, And all without complaint.” Most importantly, our mother gave our lives a start. She pointed us to God, by example of how she lived, and encouraged us to dream. She planted in us seeds of eternal value. A golden heart has stopped beating, Hard-working hands have gone to rest. Eternity has been enriched, and her legacy reaffirmed. With a million memories we will cherish you. You are now Home! Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Gratitude & Acknowledgements: The family of Ms. Damaris Etsefu wishes to extend their gratitude to all family and friends across the United States and in Kenya, at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Chatsworth, and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Simi Valley, for their unwavering support and encouragement, as well as to the UCLA Olive View Medical Center and LAC+USC Medical Center for their support during mum’s battle with cancer. May God richly bless you all! Condolences may be left in Ms. Damaris’ online guestbook at Rose Family Funeral Home, Simi Valley: http://bit.ly/1JrnrFv.