Mary Akinyi Ireland

Dear Mary Akinyi Ireland

We the family of Wamalya Edmund Wanambisi will really miss you. Your soft voice always calm and your smile will always be with us. Time really is short but we are greatful to God for letting us be with you, as a sister, daughter, mother, wife, sister in-law and also a friend to many, a mentor to mostly the mothers of Kikopey, we really are greatful. May happy memories of Mary bringJohn and family comfort at this sad time. We love you so much!! May the Almighty God bless you. Mary R.I.P.

Love Edmund, Christine and Family.

Mary, my beautiful, wonderful, amazing friend, never ever did I think you would be suddenly taken from us so soon 😢. We have all been left in a state of shock, feeling absolutely numb, in total disbelief and of course utterly heartbroken 💔. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a lovely friend to me for thirty-three years.

From the moment we met, you embraced me, not as your employee but as a friend. Your warmth, compassion, empathy, love and generosity was instantly felt. Working alongside you did not feel like work at all, I had such immense fun doing what I loved best in the world and doing it with one of my closest friends. Mum simply adored working with you also, for your catering company Spice Island and then Lunch Xpress. You filled our days with so much joy, love and laughter and this, I will always remember.

I have such fond memories of us being busy bees in your lovely white kitchen, working against the clock and constantly chatting about anything and everything, from our mutual love of food and cooking, our Newbury friends that we both knew, our adoration for our motherlands (Africa and Italy) to the profound loves of our lives: our beloved families. We would talk for hours, going through each member of our families, discussing their work, education, hobbies, goals and aspirations and how very proud we both were of our children and all of their achievements.

I will never forget the kindness and support both you and John showed Antonio and I when we needed a little helping hand. I will always be forever grateful for this.

I so very much treasure the memories of our family gatherings together. I can still vividly picture Belinda, Tom, Emma and Mark playing ball with little Leonardo out in the garden, their faces beaming with joy and laughter, whilst John, Antonio, you and I would be sipping Antonio’s strong homemade red wine, deep in conversation about our lives back home. These precious memories of us together, so many to mention, will forever be etched in my mind.

Mary, you truly were an angel living amongst us, here on this earth. You brightened so many of our lives and will leave a massive hole in our hearts along with such profound sadness. You were a remarkable friend, one in a million, I will forever miss you and love you always.❤️

Rest easy my beautiful friend, in eternal peace. 🕊 Give Antonio and my dear mum Giulia a very tight hug from me and the family.

Until we meet again. ❤️❤️❤️

In Loving Memory of Mary Ireland
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” – Thomas Campbell
There are people who walk quietly through life, yet leave footprints so deep that entire communities feel their absence. Mary Ireland was one of those people. Her life was not only lived with purpose — it was lived with grace, generosity, and an unwavering dedication to others.

I first met Mary in 2017 through my sister, and what began as a simple introduction soon blossomed into a friendship I came to treasure deeply. Over the years, we worked side by side in Kikopey, united by a shared commitment to conservation and community empowerment. But beyond our work, it was her presence — steady, sincere, and spirited — that left the deepest mark on me.

Mary had a rare ability to draw people in. With her effortless elegance, eloquence, and warm smile, she made friends easily and kept them close. She was a true hostess — not just in her home, where she prepared unforgettable meals and opened her doors to all — but in her heart, where there was always room for more.

Her contributions to the Kikopey community are lasting and significant. From her instrumental advocacy role contributing to the operationalization of Lake Elmenteita Wildlife Sanctuary, to co-founding the Kikopey Women’s Craft Market, Mary’s work transformed lives. She believed in people — especially women and children — and invested her time, energy, and resources in creating spaces of opportunity and dignity. During holidays, she brought joy to orphaned children and vulnerable families by organizing food drives, collecting donations, and leading community meals that reminded us all of the power of shared humanity.

And yet, for all her accomplishments, Mary remained grounded. She was a listener, a thinker, and a friend — someone I could talk to about everything from recipes to geopolitics. In difficult times, she was my pillar — a source of comfort, clarity, and quiet strength.

Mary loved deeply and lived intentionally. Her devotion to her family — to John, her children, and grandchildren — was constant and full of pride. Her love was never loud, but it was unmistakable in every word she spoke and every action she took.

As I write this, I feel the ache of loss. But I also feel immense gratitude — for having known her, for having shared in her journey, and for the legacy she leaves behind. Mary showed us what it means to lead with compassion, to serve with humility, and to live with purpose.

She is no longer with us in body, but she remains with us in spirit — in the work she began, the lives she touched, and the hearts she warmed.

Rest in peace, dear Mary. You are deeply missed, and forever loved.

Akinyi, you were an exceptional cook, always able to create a superb meal with such ease and grace. Mealtimes with you were more than just food, they were moments of joy and togetherness that we all looked forward to.

Your talents didn’t end in the kitchen. I remember when you were in secondary school, so clearly the beautiful kitenge dresses you made for yourself and Wacuka, and the cowrie shell bead necklaces that added such a unique touch. I was little then but thought you both looked regal and beautiful in them! You had a remarkable eye for fashion, and over the years, you continued to create stunning outfits whenever time allowed. You combined fashion and elegance so effortlessly, always expressing your style with warmth and authenticity. You shall forever be missed my beloved sister.

Tribute to My Beloved Sister, Akinyi

My beloved sister, what can I say? Where do I even begin?

Oh, Akinyi Nyathiwa…
You loved me deeply, cared for me so selflessly.
How could I ever forget?

From our childhood days, you were always a gentle and loving soul, a quiet strength in the background of our lives.
When I needed help, you came forward without hesitation.
You stood by me and helped me become the person I am today. I love you, love you, love you with all my heart.

There are things too deep for words, moments that only God knows and understands; His grace in our lives, His love shown through you.

You were patient and kind, A confidant, a sister, A true and loyal friend.

Even when I was reckless and was charging around like a bull in a China shop, you remained calm, steady, even humorous.
You made me laugh when I needed it most.
We found joy in small things, like our evening calls, you tucked under your duvet, warmth in your voice as we giggled and shared the last laugh before sleep crept in.

I will miss those moments.
I will miss you.

In your final days,
You never complained.
You carried it all with quiet dignity and unwavering faith.
You loved Jesus deeply.
You shared His love with me through prayer and scripture (especially Psalms 91),
Teaching me to invite Him in, no matter the season or sorrow.

Akinyi mama,
My sister, my heart, only God knows how much I will miss you
Until we meet again. 🕯️

Mary, since the day we met, you were a friend, a mum, and an angel. You changed my life by employing me, and the way you loved my children felt like we’ve known each other for far too long. You changed me and showed me how to love people, as You portrayed love to all you met. You told me that from now on, I’m your child. I remember all that we’ve met together, some whom I didn’t think I’d meet.
I was your shadow always beside you.

I’ll never forget you, me, and my children. I remember, before you went abroad, you wished I’d pick you up on your way back at the airport. But God wished to have you sooner. I wish that Heaven had visiting hours, so I could just swing by and ask for your advice. And Deeply, I pray to live the way you lived. I will open up my heart❤️, and everyone will know exactly who you are.
This is not goodbye; it is just “till we meet again.” Mary, rest in peace. 🙏🌹❤️

From the very start of my life you were there as my big sister. I will remember the stories you told me of how I was when I was a child. The times you called to share a laugh (especially how you held on to the fridge when the wind was blowing the tent away), when you invited me to enjoy the lovely meals you cooked, how you corrected me when I was wrong and held me when I was sad, how you protected me when I was weak and rejoiced with me when I was happy. I will forever cherish the memories we shared. I Love you big sis and miss you deeply
Your little sister ❤️Jannet.