By Jude Abanseka
The Pioneer Catholic Women Association National General Secretary and Second National President, Ma Florence Lum Zamcho aka Dodo, died on December 8; Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at the Bamenda Regional Hospital after a protracted illness.
She was buried on December 22 at the St. Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral Cemetery after a Requiem Mass which hundreds of mourners from all over Cameroon and beyond attended.
The main celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration was Archbishop Cornelius Esua of Bamenda, with Mgr. George Nkuo of Kumbo and the Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda, His Lordship Agapitus Nfon and close to 36 concelebrating priests. CWA members from all over Cameroon were also present.
Canon Joseph Ateh, who delivered the homily, told the congregation that, “At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith began in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of her confident belief that death is neither the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the Sacrament of the Eucharist”.
He added that the Church, through its funeral rites, was that morning commending Florence Zamcho to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of her sins. The preacher noted that through funeral rites, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints.
He indicated that the celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living and told the congregation that funeral rites were also a reminder to those who take part in them of God’s mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis.
“This also reminds us of the fact that some day it shall be our turn and so we should turn urgently to God in humble supplication and live according to the Beatitudes. For truly the candidates for heaven are those who strive daily to be poor in spirit, humble of heart, those who hunger for justice, are merciful, pure of heart, peacemakers and ready to suffer persecutions and indignities for the sake of the Kingdom of God.”
Canon Joseph Ateh noted that Florence Lum Zamcho received several sacraments in the same church her funeral was taking place in. He described Ma Florence Zamcho as a zealous woman. “Once convinced of an idea, she was ready to follow and defend it against all odds and even unto death. As such, she was a founding member of the Catholic Professionals of Bamenda Archdiocese and the Catholic Women’s Association. CWA members chanted their anthem just before the rites of committal.
Florence Zamcho Lu’s Biography
She was born on May 24, 1949 in Mankon. Her father being a Catholic teacher, she attended several schools always following her father on transfer. In 1963, she became part of the first contingent of girls who enrolled in Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon. She obtained her Ordinary Level Certificate in 1968. That same year she got married to Clement Nsoh Zamcho and they moved to Yaounde where Dodo later enrolled in the school of Post and Telecommunication as part of the first batch of Anglophones. She graduated in 1974 with a Cycle C diploma.
She began her career as a post office clerk. Alternating school and work Florence Zamcho enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Yaoundé, graduating with a Law degree in 1984. She eventually rose to a Post Master, a position she held until shortly before she retired in 2004.
She was passionately devoted to the Immaculate Conception, the feast day on which she died. Dodo was actively involved in the Parish Council when her family relocated to Bamenda in the late 80s. She played an active role in many church groups including the Bona Mors, Catholic Professionals and the Archdiocesan Aids Team.
She will, however, be most remembered as the National President of the Catholic Women’s Association. If her dedication to the role of women in the church was instrumental in her recruitment as Secretary under the First national President, Mama Anna Foncha, her caring, humane service and leadership were crucial to her election to succeed Mama Foncha as the second National President of the CWA.
Her vision was for women to take up a more prophetic role in the church rather than only accepting passive roles in local churches. She exhorted other women to realise their full potential by educating themselves. During her two terms at the helm of the CWA, she started the first CWA francophone branch. She worked hard to have the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon recognise the CWA.
When she retired, she spent her time serving the Lord through prayer and works of charity. She fervently prepared the sanctuary for adoration. She leaves behind a husband, five children, five grandchildren, sisters and brothers and thousands of close friends to mourn her.
The main celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration was Archbishop Cornelius Esua of Bamenda, with Mgr. George Nkuo of Kumbo and the Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda, His Lordship Agapitus Nfon and close to 36 concelebrating priests. CWA members from all over Cameroon were also present.
Canon Joseph Ateh, who delivered the homily, told the congregation that, “At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith began in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of her confident belief that death is neither the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the Sacrament of the Eucharist”.
He added that the Church, through its funeral rites, was that morning commending Florence Zamcho to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of her sins. The preacher noted that through funeral rites, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints.
He indicated that the celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living and told the congregation that funeral rites were also a reminder to those who take part in them of God’s mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis.
“This also reminds us of the fact that some day it shall be our turn and so we should turn urgently to God in humble supplication and live according to the Beatitudes. For truly the candidates for heaven are those who strive daily to be poor in spirit, humble of heart, those who hunger for justice, are merciful, pure of heart, peacemakers and ready to suffer persecutions and indignities for the sake of the Kingdom of God.”
Canon Joseph Ateh noted that Florence Lum Zamcho received several sacraments in the same church her funeral was taking place in. He described Ma Florence Zamcho as a zealous woman. “Once convinced of an idea, she was ready to follow and defend it against all odds and even unto death. As such, she was a founding member of the Catholic Professionals of Bamenda Archdiocese and the Catholic Women’s Association. CWA members chanted their anthem just before the rites of committal.
Florence Zamcho Lu’s Biography
She was born on May 24, 1949 in Mankon. Her father being a Catholic teacher, she attended several schools always following her father on transfer. In 1963, she became part of the first contingent of girls who enrolled in Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon. She obtained her Ordinary Level Certificate in 1968. That same year she got married to Clement Nsoh Zamcho and they moved to Yaounde where Dodo later enrolled in the school of Post and Telecommunication as part of the first batch of Anglophones. She graduated in 1974 with a Cycle C diploma.
She began her career as a post office clerk. Alternating school and work Florence Zamcho enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Yaoundé, graduating with a Law degree in 1984. She eventually rose to a Post Master, a position she held until shortly before she retired in 2004.
She was passionately devoted to the Immaculate Conception, the feast day on which she died. Dodo was actively involved in the Parish Council when her family relocated to Bamenda in the late 80s. She played an active role in many church groups including the Bona Mors, Catholic Professionals and the Archdiocesan Aids Team.
She will, however, be most remembered as the National President of the Catholic Women’s Association. If her dedication to the role of women in the church was instrumental in her recruitment as Secretary under the First national President, Mama Anna Foncha, her caring, humane service and leadership were crucial to her election to succeed Mama Foncha as the second National President of the CWA.
Her vision was for women to take up a more prophetic role in the church rather than only accepting passive roles in local churches. She exhorted other women to realise their full potential by educating themselves. During her two terms at the helm of the CWA, she started the first CWA francophone branch. She worked hard to have the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon recognise the CWA.
When she retired, she spent her time serving the Lord through prayer and works of charity. She fervently prepared the sanctuary for adoration. She leaves behind a husband, five children, five grandchildren, sisters and brothers and thousands of close friends to mourn her.
may her soul rest in perfect peace.
Posted by: pa tierce | January 13, 2012 at 09:40 PM