"Slowly, gradually, she detached herself, breathing less and less, fainter and fainter; then she was off and free, like a dry leaf from the tree, floating down and away. Life they say is a gift of God. Now that He wants it back, no one has the right to complain. Rest in peace mom!!

 Rest in perfect peace Mother Theresa!!! "

Theresa Afrifa Aning.   Reflections:  By Freddie Nicco-Annan.            March 08, 2013

I planned to read this tribute in person on Friday evening,
March 08, 2013 in Rochester, MN.

Our flight cancellations and subsequent delays from
Baltimore, MD. did not make that possible.

This is the abridged version.

My wife, Becky, and I, met  Francis and Theresa in 1974, young students
fresh from Ghana, pursuing our college dreams  in Washington, DC.

That was the beginning of an endearing and enduring
friendship.

For all of us, she opened a window in her life for LOVE and uncommon valor. She fought her
protracted  illness with a spirit that only few possess.

When they visited our home in Gaithersburg, Maryland,  two years ago, her spirit was rock-solid. Her laughter
and smile flowed naturally. The only sign of ill-health was when she got up to
walk.

She constantly referred to her 'High Performance Mercedes
Benz'. It took me quite a while to perceive that the 'High Performance Mercedes
Benz' was her simple black walker.

That was her immense sense of humor in the midst of
terrifying terminal illness.

I want that rare edition 'Mercedes'.

Theresa, our princess, our good friend, chin up!! Your
maker calls!! WALK ON and say 'HERE I AM'.

To Francis, Ama and Yaw, I leave you with the words of
the old Hymn: 'IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL'.

When peace, live a
river, attendeth my way

When sorrows, like
stream billows roll

Whatever my lot,
thou has taught me to say

IT IS WELL IT IS
WELL WITH MY SOUL

Have your eternal  rest. Da yie.

To the family of Theresa Afrifa Aning - I was saddened to hear of Theresa's passing from my colleague here in Waseca, Sam Baidoo. We have met before when you viisited Sam and family.  My sympathies and prayers  to Francis, Amma, Yaw, and Joseph for your loss. I know that Theresa had been struggling with her health for sometime.  My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Hugh

Dear Francis, Amma and Yaw,

I am so sorry to hear about Theresa's passing. I have thought of her often over the years that we have been out of touch. Her warmth and vitality has been something that I think about often.

I remember coming into town and Lee Oatey-Crouse and I knocked on your door to see if you might be home. We were a big group of children, including my niece from Estonia. What a welcome we got from her and you all. It was like a party. What others might have seen as an imposition, she and you all were so welcoming.

Connecting with people was so important to her and she was so good at it. I miss her, and am so very sad to hear of her passing. May her memory be a blessing to you all.

I will be there on Saturday.

Much love,
Susan Tarm
(& Michael, Nikol, Mari-Ann, Anneliis and my niece, Inger)

Francis,

The living smile of Theresa is with us always!   I am sorry to hear of the loss on earth but she is looking over all of those she loved.   

Rich Hartmann

richardhartmann@aim.com is my e-mail!

507-254-3548 is my phone

Francis, Amma, Yaw, and Joseph,

We are so sorry for your loss.  You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Ellen, John, Amanda, Dustin & Lisa Harford

Dear Amma and family,

Mrs. Theresa Aning is and always will be a wonderful, loving and spiritually strong woman.   I will always admire and honor her strength and determination to attend her daughter's wedding filled with joy and laughter.  My condolences.

Francis,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  May Theresa forever rest in peace in the Lord's company.  

Dear Fancis, Yaw, and Amna,

My heartfelt condolences to you all during this amazingly difficult time. Your wife and mother was a remarkable, beautiful woman whom I remember well. I met you all during my first year teaching and I  felt drawn to your family as I had recently returned from Africa where I'd served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I loved that I could learn about Ghana from you and share a love for and a sort of connection to Africa with you--even with my African dog, Peach. :)

Francis, you may not remember, but you wrote my very first recommendation at the end of that first year of teaching. I still have and cherish it. Thank you.

I have been thinking of you all daily and am sending you prayers and my love.

Sincerely,

Chan (Floyd) Whatley

Francis and family -

Blessings to each of you and to dear Theresa as she now rests in peace.  May her spirit live on in the many cherished memories you have of her.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Curt, Jane & Paul Hale

Francis:

We are all sadden for untimely loss of our beloved sister and your dearly wife.  May God bless you and your family in this difficult time.

Jur Kucha

You and your family are in my prayers.  May God give you the gift of "peace that passeth all understanding" at this time in your life.

To Frank and Family:

The Anning family deeply regrets the passing of Theresa Aning.  Our condolence and prayers are with you.  May the good Lord comfort Frank and family in this difficult time.  May the good Lord give the spirit of Theresa Aning eternal rest and peace. 

Shalom

Dear Francis, Amma & Yaw,

I have such wonderful memories of Theresa!  My fondest memory is gardening with Theresa.  For several Spring seasons we would rent what looked like a heavy-duty lawn mower and prepare both of our yards for the spring flowers.  I recall that the lawnmower was leading us rather than the other way around.  I recall us looking at farms and patches of land where we dreamed of our own wonderful garden.  On one of our prairie rides we came across a friendly horse who showed us much kind attention - Theresa loved it!  She talked about Ghana and how one day she would return. She showed me the home she wanted to purchase in Ghana and shared with me some of the daily chores the women their performed. 

She shared with me after her breast cancer diagnosis that when it was time for her to leave that she would look down upon us and say in effect; don't worry about me, I'm happy here. And of course she said that with her bright, beaming smile.  Among so many wonderful memories of kindess and hospitality, I thank God for allowing me to know her.

May God bless you and keep you!

Debbie

Dear Francis, Amma, and Yaw,

I am deeply sorry for your lost of a devoted and lovely wife, endearing mother and best friend. Theresa will be missed by all and I will definitely miss her radiating smile.  During this time , may God give you all the strength to endure. (Phil. 4:13)  For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me.

Tawanda

Dear Amma:

I only met Ms. Aning once, at yours and Drew's wedding. I will always remember her the way that she was that day - joyful and full of love. My prayer for you, Drew and your family is for comfort and strength during the coming days, weeks and months.

-Miska

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Aning family. Losing someone so young is so very hard. She will well with the Lord and smiling just as she is on her picture. I hope that you find comfort that her soul is free and well.

Francis, Amma, and Yaw,

Praying so much for your family right now! My heart is so sad and breaking for you all. Although you've lost such a kind, sweet and STRONG wife and mother, I'm praying you find comfort knowing she is whole and healthy again in the arms of her Father. I wish I could be there to celebrate her life with you this weekend.  "Now is your time of grief but you WILL see her again one day and you will rejoice and no one can take away that joy!" John 16:22...  

Love you all,

Carly

Francis,

God blessed you with a wonderful partner and family, plus a lifetime of pleasant memories. We know that every time you think of Theresa a smile is generated on your face. Because the both of you cared for each other and the wonderful family she provided. The blessing there is that her family has grown into mature adults which graced her presence before she passed. Theresa brought nothing but love, peace and joy to those who knew her. And we know why you always had a smile on your face.

What a blessing. We share in your sorrow and we all benefited from her presence.

My prayers go out to your family.  I enjoyed the many years I knew and worked with Theresa, and she's been greatly missed.  I am truly blessed to have known her.

Theresa opened her friendship, kindness, and love to me and my family.  Overtime we became as close as sisters can be.  My family became her family.  Her family became ours.

• Theresa will remain in our hearts and thoughts forever (Keith).
• Theresa is not gone; she just moved to her new home in heaven.  I am sure my mom and Theresa are good friends by now.  She is always in heart (Elizabeth).
• My Aning family, I will be keeping Theresa in my thoughts (Clint).
• Please receive our condolences.  We will continue to pray for her.  Theresa fought long and hard (Sam).
• Love and sympathy to the Aning family.  I am sure Theresa is in heaven and that she and my mom will be good friends (Sandy-sister in Guatemala).
• My sympathies to the Aning family; so sorry for your loss.  I will keep Theresa in my prayers.  Theresa has a special place in heaven (Sandra-niece in Houston, TX).

Hi Mr. Francis and her dearest children and friends:

I am very sorry to see Theresa has passes away. Unfortunately I am not going to be able to attend her funeral as I don't live in MN now.

Mr. Francis, I just want to send my condolences to you and your family on the loss of our dear friend. You will be in my prayers.

God Bless,

Selam

Uncle Francis, Ama, and Yaw. Please accpet our condolences. may the Lord God Almighty give your strength during this difficult time. Aunty Theresa was a woman with a good heart who was always willing to do good to anybody she comes across. She was a mother to most of us in the Ghanaian Community in Rochester and no words can describe her kindness, guidance, and care he offered to us, especially our family. May the Lord grant her eternal peace in heaven.

Dear Francis and Family,

I am so deeply saddened to learn of Theresa's passing.  May her soul rest peacefully in the Kingdom of Heaven.  May God comfort you and your family, and may your memories of her live on through you. 

Peace be with you,

Brenda Schiltz (From AIT course)

Francis and family,

I was so sorry to hear of Theresa's passing.  She was a wonderful lady and I know all of us at the support group will miss her and you!  I will remember her in my prayers and you as well.

Francis, My heart is saddened by your loss but I am so glad you and your children could be with her in her passing.  You and your family are being carried close to my heart and are definitely in my prayers.  best wishes to you all, your friend always (connected forever through AIT), many hugs to you and your children, Nancy

I am so sorry to hear of Theresa's passing. Her sweet spirit will be missed and we are fortunate to have known her. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers.

Dear Francis, Amma and Yaw,

May Theresa's Memory Be Eternal.

with love - Mariuca, Loredana and Dan Jerghiuta

Francis, Amma and Yaw,

I am saddened to hear of Theresa's passing. She was a vibrant, caring and wonderful woman. I am thankful for the
time spent on the soccer field getting to know you all. I hope you are able to find comfort and peace in your memories of Theresa as a wife, mother and friend.

Sincerely,

Heather (Fairclough) Weber

Francis, I am very sad to hear that Theresa passed away.  I first met her walking along the Douglas trail where she went for quick walks and would later see her walking in the neighborhood.  I enjoyed her smile and admired her courage.  Please know that I am thinking of you and your family and share your sorrow.

Steve Miller

Dear Francis and family,

I was so sorry to read of your loss of your dear Theresa.  I've thought of you often since our time in the AIT class.  I know you will miss her even though your struggles have been long and hard.

God's peace and love be with you!

Francis, I'm so sorry to hear about Theresa.  I did not know either of you well but certainly I know you are both good people and good spirits.  I wish you and your children peace and strength.

Dear Francis, Amma, Yaw,

I pray that God's peace will be with all of you.  I will always think of Sister Theresa with fondness as she was one of the nicest people I have known.  I know that she was a great mother and wife, too.  As you move through your grief and sorrow, know that we are remembering you and honoring the memory Theresa.

You have my deepest sympathy on your loss.  Please do let me know if I can help you in anyway.

Barbara Porter

Francis, Amma and Yaw, you are in our thoughts and prayers in the face of this great loss.   The Good Lord will soothe your pain, give you the strenght to bear this loss and preserve the beautiful memory of the great times Theresa shared with you.   We pray Theresa rest peacefully in the arms of the Almighty Father.    No more pain for her now as she rests.  She was a wonderful, beautiful human being.  She had a heart of gold.  It is well with you, and the Good Lord will buoy your spirits.  Please stay strong.  With Lots of Love.  Daniel Dogo-Esekie

My love to Francis, Amma, Drew,   Yaw and friends and family of Theresa. Theresa will always be a valued friend. Her spirit will live on. She was a master gardener who laughed and helped me as I learned from her, in so many ways. She will be dearly missed.

Love, Lee, James, Annica and Metta