biography
Early Life
Vivian Constance Aku Nassar Gyapong was born to Alfred Nassar and Mary Abdallah-Nassar (both of blessed memory) on September 25th, 1946 in Lome, Togo. She was baptized at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lome-Togo, two months later.
Vivian lived with her parents in Lome, until the sudden death of her father, when she was only 20 months old. Thereafter, her mother took her to Keta, where she attended Kindergarten. At age 5, her aunt, the late Helen Adzo Abdallah took her to Accra to live with her, and their mother, Theodora Tamakloe of blessed memory. She initially attended Additrom School. After a year, Vivian was enrolled at St. Joseph Catholic School in Adabraka for her primary education.
Education
In 1958, Vivian gained admission to Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) College in Cape Coast for her secondary education, two terms of which were at the Winneba Secondary School. She completed the final part of her secondary education at the St. Mary’s Abbey, in Mill Hill, London.
Following her secondary education, she decided to pursue a nursing career. For this, she studied at the Isle of Thanet District Hospital, Margate-Ramsgate in Kent. She went further to study Theatre Nursing and Midwifery at Hollow Essex and Forest Gate.
Professional Life
Vivian worked as a State Registered Nurse (SRN) and State Certified Midwife (SCM) in both private and public hospitals in the United Kingdom, rising to the rank of Nursing Sister.
Family Life
In the early 1970’s Vivian met Dr. Samuel Kofi Gyapong (of blessed memory), who was on holiday in the U.K. from Germany. In time they fell in love, which culminated in their marriage in the U.K. on June 21, 1975. Hereafter she moved to join him in Germany.
Vivian and her children relocated to Ghana in December 1982. With her children having no proficiency in the English language, and her desire to secure their well-being, especially after school, she chose not to pursue her profession as a nurse, and rather set up a small retail shop in Asylum-Down, which she gave the name SAMTAM (coined from the names of two of her children, Sammi and Tamara). Her shop, one of the best known in the community at the time, offered a wide range of basic necessities such as provisions, clothing, school supplies, and hot meals.
On moving to Adenta with her children in 1994, Vivian opened a second shop at her new home. Although the shop in Adenta was also named SAMTAM, the locals referred to her shop as “Obroni Store”, and many of the neighbors simply called her “Maame Obroni.” After about 2 years, the shop in Asylum-Down was permanently shut, as the commute and daily oversight became challenging.
Vivian operated her shop in Adenta while her children pursued their professions abroad. She stayed in constant contact with them and they visited each other regularly.
In her later years, the children recommended that she retire from operating the shop as it was becoming more and more difficult to manage on her own. Following this, she spent more time with her children and grandchildren in Ghana, Germany, and the USA. She also committed more of her time to societies and associations she affiliated with, as well as extended family members. This brought her a lot of joy and comfort.
In July 2021, in spite of the difficulties around COVID19, she visited her daughter and family in the United States of America for a period of 6 months, where she celebrated her 75th birthday.
Hobbies and Social Life
Vivian had always enjoyed handwork. Over the years she did embroidery, glazing, crocheting, knitting, baking, and much more.
Later she was fanatic about word searches, and crossword puzzles, to the extent that her children could barely keep up with stocking her with new booklets.
She loved playing ludo and oware with family and friends, and in the quiet of the evening, she loved watching Nigerian movies with folk around her.
Vivian was very social and as such belonged to many societies and associations, and traveled to a lot of events and funerals, a circumstance which earned her the well-meant nickname ‘funeral contractor.’ She loved family and was actively involved in the Abdallah, Nassar, Tamakloe, and allied Families.
Just like her late mother, Mary Abdallah Nassar, Vivian loved taking care of those around her, be it family, friends, neighbors, or complete strangers. She always had some food or something to drink for anyone who walked through her doors. You could not visit her without eating, and on many occasions leave with extras to take home.
Religious Life
Vivian was a devout Christian and Catholic, who kept her faith and raised her children in the ways of the Lord. Her regular places of worship progressed from the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, to St. Kizito Catholic Church, Nima, and then Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Adenta.
During her days at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Vivian supported her children’s participation in the Knights of the Altar, Children’s Solidarity of Mary and Catholic Youth Organization.
Vivian was part of the Nurses’ League and also served on the Parish Council at St. Kizito Catholic Church for quite a while.
She belonged to the Christian Mothers Society, and was member patron of the St. Raphael Borborbor Group, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Adenta.
For three decades Vivian was a member of the Christian Love Thy Neighbour Society, rising to the rank of 'Hadada ga'.
Health and Farewell
Vivian experienced a few health challenges over the past two years, spending varying periods of time in the hospital, however recovering each time, and returning to her normal life. On June 6, 2022, she had to be admitted to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge, Accra), where she sadly passed away a week later, on June 13, 2022.
Her sudden departure was a big blow to her children, grandchildren, family and friends, and all who knew her, at home and abroad. However, we take comfort knowing that the Lord embraced her and that she will be given a beautiful resting place with Him.
Sister Vivian, as many fondly called you, may angels lead you to paradise and grant you eternal rest with your maker, who you have served faithfully all your life.
Dzudzor le nutifafa me.
Vivian Constance Aku Nassar Gyapong
September 25 1946 - June 13 2022
