Halina Brisibe; A Dearest of Souls Goes to Rest

On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, our sister and friend, Dr. Annie Porbeni, lost an Amazon (her mother), Mrs. Halina Brisibe. A mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and the dearest of souls to the cold hands of death. Mrs. Halina Brisibe, was 78 years old.

It is a painful death to all who knew Mama Halina Brisibe. She was a generous human being who always gave of herself regardless of how little she had. She was a caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend who lived 26 years after the death of her husband, caring for ten children with very little of what she had. Mrs. Halina Brisibe was a devoted and caring mother. She knew, as a widow, she needed to make sure she educated her children. She worked tirelessly, day and night, little businesses here and there to make sure she could provide for her children. Mrs. Halina Brisibe would always say, “the best gift I can afford to give you, my children, is an education.” These were your father’s words; she would say it is my responsibility to make sure it is fulfilled. She was indeed an Amazon. She was a doting and loving mother to her ten children but was also strict, a strategy she needed to succeed in the chaos of raising ten children on her own. Her children were her wealth, education, joy, and success.

Mrs. Halina Brisibe, is the mother of our dear sister Dr. Annie Porbeni. Annie spoke very often and fondly about her mother. Annie always says, “my mother never asks for anything, nothing even when she sacrificed so much to give us all of herself.” There was always a sense of pride, knowing she lived to make her mother proud. Annie and her siblings knew the sacrifices their mother made for them and worked tirelessly to make sure she lived to benefit the fruit of her labor. In death, Mrs. Halina Brisibe returns to her father’s home, where she was born and where she will be laid to rest.

"The Strength of a mother is God's blessing upon her family." Mama Halina showed great strength, courage and faith in her journey. We will miss her greatly.

In Annie’s time of grief, I ask that you all come together to support her as she prepares to lay her mother to rest.

On behalf of her family, I say THANK YOU for your generosity.

Dr. Anita I Porbeni.

Sister in Law.