Joyce Ng’oma, tenderly called by Mama Joyce by many in URI, recently passed away in her home country, Malawi. Joyce served as a member of URI’s Interim Global Council (1999-2002) and was elected to the first Global Council, serving two terms (2002 -2008) as a regional trustee for Africa. Joyce transitioned from trustee role to serve as Regional Coordinator for sub-region Malawi, and eventually became a Senior Advisory member of the Africa Regional Leadership Team.
During GC and Staff Meeting in May 2004, held at The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Peals of laughter, jubilant call and response singing, joyous, wise and compelling story-telling, Joyce graced the URI community with warmth, laughter, love and wisdom like few before her - or after her - will match. As a trustee and a Regional Coordinator, Joyce worked hard to help build a URI organization where there were no paths. She brought dedicated service, honesty, faith in God, and a strong and open heart.
With former URI Executive Director the Rev. Canon Charles Gibbs and Co-Director of Global Programs and Organizational Development Sally Mahé at a GC and Staff Meeting in 2006
Joyce told us stories of how her Church chose to forego traditional Christmas dinner to be in solidarity with people in Malawi suffering from lack of food; of how she kept adding children in need of parenting to her own household; and of how she cleverly used her experience as a broadcaster to bring the new good news of cooperation among different religious groups to wide audiences in Malawi.
With Annie Imbsen, Marites Africa and URI Director of CC Support Maria Crespo in 2003 during the GC and Staff Meeting at Bishop’s Ranch
In a biographical statement, Joyce said, “I usually find myself in situations where people need my help, and as I go about working with them, I find myself learning more and more.” Her vision for URI was that people of different religions and spiritual traditions all over the world may live together as members of one community while respecting each other’s beliefs.
Dear Joyce, URI has been graced profoundly and happily with your presence. We appreciate you with all of our hearts and wish you God’s peace, laughter and love forever. You are now, “Marching in the Light,” as you used to sing…and we’ll follow.
(Photos and memoriam compiled by Sally Mahé and Maria Crespo)
