Cecilia Mumeka

Cecilia Esnati Mumeka (nee Mambwe) went Home to the Lord on December 9, 2022. She passed away peacefully in the arms of her beloved husband and children. She is in God’s care and is reunited in Heaven with her daughter Patricia “Ndi” Mundia.

Cecilia is survived by her life partner and the love of her life, husband of 63 years Dr. Lundondo Mumeka, her children Angela, Patrick and Dominic, sister Rosemary Mambwe, and brother Naphtary Mambwe. Cecilia also has a grandson Ricky Mumeka and granddaughter Malaika Monde, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Born to Peter Harrison Mambwe (deceased) and Dalise Banda (deceased) on July 21,1940, Cecilia (lovingly called Esnati), was the third of eight children and grew up in a loving home with her siblings Alinesi (deceased), Gilbert (deceased), Moira (deceased), Rosemary (twin sister to Hannock, who sadly did not survive birth), Naphtary, and David (deceased).

Cecilia was highly dedicated to her Catholic faith. She embodied strong values, humility, compassion, kindness and love. She never knew the word “no” and was always selfless and gave generously. She had a natural talent for languages, and true to the Patron Saint for whom she was named, Cecilia enjoyed singing and music. She was good at sewing and knitting and was a fabulous cook!
Cecilia and Lundondo were married on August 16, 1959 in Saint Ann’s Church. Theirs was a life of joy and partnership even as they each pursued their respective careers, Lundondo as a lawyer and economist, and Cecilia as a journalist. Cecilia was a graduate of Pittman’s College in London, England. She broke barriers as the first African female journalist and political correspondent of the African Daily Mail, interviewing prominent African leaders during the struggle for independence, among them the first president of Zambia Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. After African Daily Mail, she joined the Northern News, one of the major newspapers in Southern Africa, and became the first African and woman to be appointed as Corrector of the Press in Southern Africa.

Together, Cecilia and Lundondo raised four children with an abundance of joy and love. Their home had boundless energy, always filled with music and laughter, dancing to “Twist and Shout”, movie nights at the drive-in theater, an open door and open refrigerator for all their children’s friends. Their lawn was the Wembley Stadium for the neighborhood kids’ football (soccer) games.

Cecilia was immensely proud and devoted to her family. “Amama” as we so fondly called her, was an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. She was a woman of strong character and had an exceptional ability to make things alright for all of us. Cecilia has left a deep void and much sorrow and sadness. God will wipe away our tears. We take comfort in the so many beautiful memories, knowing that Mum is in God’s care and that she will continue to watch over us and her beloved husband from Heaven.

In Cecilia’s memory, the family asks that contributions be made to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Charities (Virginia Conferences), Saint Raymond’s of Penafort Catholic Church, Catholic Charities, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Alexandria, Virginia)