Martha N. Nicholson

A Dedicated Nurse

Martha Nyaboke Mong’are Ndemo Eulogy

Our mother, sister, cousin, auntie and granny, Martha (Marita) Nyaboke Mong’are, who has died aged 71, had a long and pioneering career in nursing, was a humble and dedicated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse at the Kenyatta National Hospital and the MP Shah for many years.

Born in Bonyunyu, West Mugirango, in the then Kisii District (now Nyamira County), the seventh of ten children of Simuel Bwana Masita, a businessman, and his wife, Yunuke Nyanchoka Bwana. Martha started her schooling in 1958 at Nyamira Primary and passed her Common Entrance exams to win admission at prestigious Kereri (then a boarding school ran by Canadian Missionaries) in 1961.

Martha excelled in her intermediate Kenya Primary Examination in 1965 to win a place at Ichuni Girls High School. It is at Ichuni where she met the love of her life, the late Paul Mong’are Ndemo and married in 1966. They were blessed with three children, Esther Kemunto Mong’are, John Paul Mong’are, and Agnes Bosibori Mong’are.

After the birth of her first-born Esther in 1967, she enrolled at Kakamega Medical Training College to train as a nurse. After graduation, she proceeded to Kenyatta National Hospital to train as an ICU nurse in 1971. She then moved to MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi where worked for 20 years as an ICU nurse before joining the Kenya Power and Lighting in the early 1990’s as a staff nurse.

Martha’s dedication to professionalism in nursing inspired many young people from far and wide. Her white nursing uniform and the usual nurse’s cap or the scrubs made her look like an angel. And she lived up to that description with her humility and selflessness. Her niece Esther recalled the cleanliness and unquestionable empathy that Martha always exhibited as nothing less of an angel.

In 1993, Martha migrated to United States of America in the State of Maryland where she continued to in the healthcare throughout her stay until her demise last week.

In 2017, Martha fell sick and visited several doctors, but they could not pin down what she was ailing from. For someone who despite working in health facilities had never been sick, this was a psychologically traumatizing experience. In 2019, she was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder. The doctors in the US started treating her for advanced stage cancer until last week when passed on peacefully surrounded by her children.

Martha is survived by her children, Esther, John-Paul and Agnes. She was sister to Jemimah Mokogi, Bilha Nyamweya, the late Susan Nyarangi, the late Milka Ogeto, the late Livingstone Oguta, Caren Omwenga, Grace Omanga, the late Charles Masita and Julie Mariera. Daughter-in-law to the late Ndemo Kibagendi, Esther Nyang’anyi, Peninah Moraa, Priscila Boisabi, Nyakebande and Teresa Bosibori all late. She was a wonderful auntie, cousin, sister-in-law, and most important FRIEND to many in Kenya and the USA.

Some Tributes that characterised Martha:

'Auntie was 'Phenomenal' Carol

“She symbolized determination and strength for me” Charlie

She had a vivacious personality and easily the life of the party wherever she went.” - Rose

"Aunty Martha always had a beautiful smile and was so full of life” Cynthia

“Cheerful and humorous” Ollie

“Full of life and loved her family!” Janet

“She was 'adorably caring and loving.” George

“She loved without measure” Beatrice

“Very generous!” Elvira

“Aunty Martha was warm and generous” Violet

“Auntie Martha was a clean, no nonsense and a checkmate to those making poor choices” Fanny

“Auntie Martha was warm, loving and caring, always reaching out to find out how everyone was doing. She had deep concern for mum & dad and never failed to check on them. Her caring nature has proved to be the testimony about her from all who knew her” Jane

“She had impeccable style” Sandra

“Auntie Martha was bright, beautiful, loving & hardworking, qualities sought after by the people who hijacked her into early marriage. May God rest aunties soul in eternal peace” Alice

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