Final respects were paid to two lives intertwined by family and fate, Obaapayin Salomey Adjoa and Mr. John Henry Assabill , on August 9, 2025. What was meant to be a farewell for Obaapanyin Adjoa became a dual memorial when her son-in-law, a pillar of the community, passed away suddenly during the funeral arrangements.
Obaapanyin Salomey Adjoa, the beloved mother of Gladys Assabill, was honored alongside her son-in-law, Mr. Henry Assabill. Their lives were celebrated in a poignant service at Leak & Sons Funeral Home, followed by a vibrant traditional funeral at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, 6330 W. 127th St., Palos Heights, IL 60463.
The day was marked by a powerful convergence of grief and gratitude, celebrating a life rooted in tradition and another defined by transformative leadership.
A memorable moment came when the emcee called all the Chicago area chiefs and queens to the dance floor, creating a beautiful tableau of unity and cultural pride.
The President of the Ghana National Council (GNC), Mr. Kassim Abubakari, along with his Vice President, Dr. Eunice Cromwell, past Presidents of the GNC, and Council Members, presented a generous monetary gift to the grieving family.
Reverend Dr. Kofi Noonoo of the Ghanaian Council of Churches led a solemn yet stirring memorial service, offering words of comfort and a call to continue the legacies of the departed. The service honored both Obaapanyin Salomey Adjoa and Mr. Assabill, celebrating their profound impact on the communities they lived.
Mr. John Henry Assabill, who served as GNC President from 2008 to 2014, was known for his visionary leadership and commitment to community empowerment. His legacy, along with that of Obaapayin Salomey Adjoa, lives on in the traditions they upheld and the communities they cherished. The day was not just a farewell, but a powerful declaration that their stories will be etched into the collective memory of a community that knows how to mourn with dignity and celebrate with soul.
Sankofaonline
