Tribute to Mama

In Loving Memory of Maria Ewanlen Ohonsi "Mama Afroshine"

Sunrise : March 11, 1932 - Sunset: October 5, 2025

It is with heavy hearts, yet profound gratitude for a life beautifully lived, that we celebrate our beloved Matriarch, Maria Ewanlen Ohonsi, affectionately known to all as **“Mama Afroshine.”**

Mama Maria Afroshine (AKA) NeNe was the cherished wife of the late Paul Abumere Ohonsi, a loving mother to her eight children (seven sons and one daughter), a doting grandmother to sixteen, and an adored great-grandmother to five. Nene’s family was her proudest accomplishment and the center of her world.

A woman of incredible strength and enterprise, Nene was a well-known and respected figure in her community. She was the proud owner of a local food shop in Lagos, Nigeria, where her warmth was as nourishing as the food she served. Her caring nature extended further as a midwife on Ishaga Road in Surulere, where she gently ushered new lives into the world. Even after her midwifery days, her nurturing spirit continued, as she lovingly prepared and sold lunch to local school children, ensuring they were well-fed and cared for.

To know NeNe was to experience her quick wit, her infectious humor, and her fearless honesty. She spoke the truth with love and wisdom, earning the deep respect of all who knew her. She was truly the life of any party, her vibrant presence lighting up every room.

Beyond her immediate family, Nene was a mother to her entire neighborhood. She was a familiar and comforting sight on her daily walks, often stopping to visit with neighbors. Fiercely protective of all children, she was a guiding light for those who had lost their way. It was a common saying that any child in trouble, especially those afraid to go to their own parents, would find solace, protection, and wise counsel with Nene "Mama Afroshine."

Maria Ewanlen Ohonsi lived a life of boundless love, unwavering strength, and immense service. She was a loving wife, a proud mother, a doting grandmother, and a pillar of her community. Her legacy is not only carried on by her extensive family but also lives in the countless lives she touched with her kindness, her laughter, and her boundless heart.

She was deeply loved by her family and her community, and she will be profoundly missed. May her soul find eternal peace.