Rosebella Jerono Mudavadi's Obituary
Mama Rosebella Jerono Mudavadi, 82 of Ashburn, Virginia departed this life on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at home in Ashburn, Virginia surrounded by members of her family.
She was the daughter of the late Abigail Chesang Taprongoei and the late Chemitei Arap Chepkeitany of Eldama Ravine, Koibatek.
Widow of the late Hon. Moses Budamba Mudavadi
Co-wife of the late Mama Hannah Atsianzale Mudavadi
She was a daughter-in-Law of the late mama Mukele Reba Munyasa
Loving mother to: Catherine, the late Ijaya, Kegode, the late infant twins Miriam and Paul, Reba, Janet and Ungadi.
Loving stepmom to: Jeanne, Ebby, the late Serah, Margaret, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Lydia and Imali
Mother-in-law to: Rosemary
Doting Gogo to: Mona, Ciku, Muchigi, Nicole, Moses, Ijaya and Maya
Great Grandmother to: Ivan and Justin
Sister to: Doreen and Joseph Nduva, Douglas and Betty Chemitei, Albert and Emily Kipkirui, Christine and Peterson Okumu and Winnie & Francis Magui.
Sister-in-law to: the late Jones, the late Japheth Ihaji and mama Finike, Amb. Justus Mudavadi and mama Rose, the late Silas and the late Esnas amongst others.
Auntie to: Josephine & Henry Iwowo, Andrew Boiywa, Nduvas, Okumus, Chemiteis, Kiruis, amongst others
Life History
Early Childhood:
She was born the first-born child of the late Abigail Chesang Taprongoei and the late Chemitei Arap Chepkeitany of Eldama Ravine, Koibatek, in a family of six children:
- Mama Rosebella Jerono Mudavadi (now deceased)
- Doreen Jebichii Nduva
- Douglas Chemitei
- Albert Kipkirui
- Christina Jebet Okumu
- Winnie Cheptepken Magui
Mama Rosebella is fondly remembered as a loving and caring daughter, and sibling to her brothers and sisters. She was the apple of her father’s eye. Being the eldest, she took on a surrogate mother role to her siblings and cousins. Until the end of her life, she was a mother to her brothers and sisters. They always sought her advice and counsel.
Education:
Mama Rosebella started her early childhood education at AIM (now AIC) Mission school in Eldama Ravine from class 1 - 4. She was a bright girl who proceeded on to Kapsabet Girls’ for Standard 5 - 8. Upon matriculating her Standard 8, she was accepted to Kapsabet Teachers’ Training College (modern day Mosoriot Teachers’ College), graduating as a trained teacher. Mama Rosebella then went on to further her education at a finishing school then known as Njoro Homecraft College (now part of modern-day Egerton University). She graduated with an advanced certificate in Home Science.
Teaching Career:
Mama Rosebella started her teaching career in the then South Baringo, in the late 50s. As a teacher, she taught all grades from standard 1 - 7. The subjects she taught were in Home Science, English and Kiswahili. When she met her husband, she transferred to teach in schools in Maragoli in the early to mid-60s. She ended her teaching career in Nairobi City Council school system in the early 70s.
Civil Service Career:
Mama Rosebella transitioned from teaching to work in the Ministry of Home Affairs, in the Office of the Vice President under leadership of the late President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. She oversaw Catering and Housekeeping in the Vice President’s Office. She retired as a Matron in the Approved School System, still under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Married Life
Mama Rosebella met her future husband, the late Moses Budamba Mudavadi in 1957 in South Baringo. He asked her parents for her hand in marriage in 1958. They were married in 1958, and their union was blessed with 8 children (5 girls and 3 boys):
- Catherine Kilwatso
- Marilyn Ijaya (deceased)
- Geoffrey Kegode
- Twins Miriam & Paul (deceased in infancy)
- Reba Munyasa
- Janet Muzengo
- Raymond Ungadi
Her marriage to the late Moses Mudavadi, introduced her to a life and a world she could not have imagined. Back in the day, it was rare for girls to marry outside of their community. She was daring and took a leap of faith to move to a home far away from her parent’s home in Baringo. She was a pioneer in that sense and showed us that you should follow your heart and that love has no tribal boundaries.
Mama Rosebella immersed and endeared herself to the community she was married into. She loved her new family and the new family, headed by her mother-in-law, matriarch, the late Mama Mukele Reba Munyasa, wholly embraced and loved her back. Born a Kalenjin; with an open heart, curious mind, and daring nature, she learnt the Lulogooli language and spoke it fluently. She understood that to be one with the community, you had to learn the language and culture.
Church Life:
Mama Rosebella was born and baptized in the AIC church. After her marriage and subsequent move to Budira, Maragoli, she was introduced to Gimudi Friends Church by the late Mama Mukele Reba Munyasa. She converted and was admitted to Quaker religion in the mid-60s. She was an active member and pillar of Gimudi Friends Church where all her children were baptized in accordance with the Quaker religion. She was an elder of the church at the time of her death.
While in the USA, she attended Herndon Friends Meeting house in Virginia, until she was infirmed. From time to time, the church family visited and prayed with her. Every morning she would wake up with her favorite song; Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe, Twasema Asante, praising God.
Farmer and Entrepreneur:
Upon retirement from her civil service career, mama Rosebella thrust herself into farming. She was a successful tea, dairy, poultry, and horticultural farmer. She was very active in her local tea cooperative in Chamakanga and Mudete. She mobilized local women’s groups in horticultural farming for export purposes. Often hosting training sessions in her home. She worked with and encouraged women in her community to grow horticultural products to generate income. She was a mentor to many in her community.
Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization:
Mama Rosebella was passionate about the women’s movement and community service. From the early 70s, she was always active in various women’s organizations. She always hosted women’s groups in her home. She made her mark in the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Women’s Organization (MYWO), where she worked alongside luminaries such as the late Jane Kiano, Zipporah Kittony, the late Mrs. Habwe, the late Margaret Kenyatta, the late Phelgona Okundi and many others. She has traveled all over the world, in the UK, USA, Egypt, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Beijing, China, all in service of the women’s movement. Her last assignment in MYWO was as Chairwoman Western Province. To pay forward, she has mentored many women who came after her.
In addition, Mama Rosebella supported the Girl Guides movement. She has worked alongside her Muhalikwa Mama Rose Mudavadi and Mrs. Honorine Kiplagat in support of the Girl Guides movement.
Political Life and Community Organizing.
Mama Rosebella’s life story cannot be written without mentioning the mark she made in the political landscape. Her marriage to the late Moses Budamba Mudavadi was a partnership. She was instrumental in building and supporting her husband’s political career, working hand-in-hand with the late Mama Hannah Atsianzale Mudavadi.
Mama Rosebella was a skilled community organizer and grassroots mobilizer. She came alive and got animated when she discussed politics. She understood the power of retail politics and the need to be a good listener and treat everyone with kindness, respect, and humility. She spoke with fond memories of how they walked door-to-door canvassing and campaigning from North to South; East to West Maragoli in places like lyaduywa, Imahanga, lyamagere, Madzuu, Masana, Viyalo, wa Demesi, Kidundu, Gavudia and so forth. She knew the geographical and political map of the old Vihiga Constituency like the back of her hand. They were all etched in her memory.
Outside of Vihiga, Mama Rosebella has hosted and interacted with Presidents, foreign leaders, and other politicians of all political stripes. She accompanied her husband on missions abroad. She was a strong campaigner of the late President Moi. She was honored to host British Premier Margaret Thatcher in Chekombero, Sabatia. Her enormous contribution to the Mudavadi family legacy cannot be understated and is solid.
Her Illness:
Mama Rosebella was diagnosed and died of Vascular Dementia. Vascular dementia is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain cells due to conditions such as: High blood pressure (hypertension), irregular heart rhythms or damage to brain arteries from the disease. Dementia as a disease – goes through stages, they say seven stages - from early onset dementia to end stage dementia. Mama suffered a stroke in 2004 (we believe she had a broken heart from the loss of our late sister Marilyn Ijaya). Unfortunately, she suffered the stroke in her home in Budira, Sabatia and did not receive proper medical care in time. According to medical literature, the first 24 hours are the most crucial for stroke patients to get proper medical care.
Mama suffered cognitive impairment and loss of independence gradually. We could see the changes she was going through between 2005-2009. In 2010, her children made the decision to take her to live in the USA so they could care for her. During her stay in the USA, she lived with her daughter Reba Munyasa who selflessly cared and provided for her. Throughout her illness, she never lost the spark in her eye. She bore her illness stoically, despite what she was going through. With Grace, and the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding, she took her final bow on 24 November, 2021, surrounded by her family.
In Italian language, Rose Bella means a beautiful rose. Mama Rosebella was truly our Beautiful Rose. May she rest in peace and dance with the Angels.
What’s your fondest memory of Rosebella?
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