Cecilia Emily Daisie, 73, of Accra, Ghana and Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on 21st August, 2024 in Jacksonville.
Cecilia, born on 7th April 1951 to James Ato Bentil and Angelina Esi Yacobah Williams in Cape Coast, Ghana, was a source of boundless joy and laughter. Cecilia graduated from the Social Advance Institute (Accra, Ghana) in 1969 with a Typist Grade II certificate. After graduation, she went on to work as Principal Private Secretary at the then Ministry of Economic Affairs. Following a long stint in public affairs, she worked in the erstwhile NKF (a Dutch communications company) before gaining employment with the United Africa Company (UAC) Ghana, now Unilever Ghana Ltd, where she rose to become the personal assistant of the then chairman, Ishmael Yamson.
In 1975, Cecilia married Dalton Dovi-Dotse and the two went on to have a child, a boy named Dela, in 1977. Following the sad passing of Dalton, she met and married Samuel Daisie, an economist working at the Ministry of Economic Affairs. They married and began a blended family of their two sons, James Ebo Daisie and Dela Dovi-Dotse. In 1985 and 1986, they welcomed two girls, Linda Aba, and Angela Esi Daisie.
Cecilia and Sam were married for 39 years and throughout their marriage, supported several members in and out of their extended family. In 2006, following her retirement, Cecilia emigrated to the United States to join her sons James and Dela, and subsequently obtained her citizenship, splitting her time between her two home countries.
Cecilia was an avid cook, obsessive cleaner and champion of all that is hard work. Throughout her career as a civil servant and well into her tenure in the private sector, she attempted multiple side hustles, one of which, a poultry business started in 1995, saw her being awarded the National Farmer’s Day celebration of Ghana’s Best Poultry Farmer on a Small Scale in 1996.
A confirmed Catholic, Cecilia fellowshipped at St Thomas Moore Catholic Church, Achimota Accra until 1992 when she moved to Cantonments, Accra and began her fellowship with the Christ the King Catholic Parish. She also fellowshipped at the Power Victory Chapel (PVC) Grace Temple, where she touched many lives. Her faith in God sustained her throughout her life, and during her battle with cancer, which eventually took her life in August of 2024.
Cecilia is survived by her husband Samuel, sons; James and Dela, daughters; Aba Daisie and Angela Daisie Mantey Gyan, her daughters in law; April Dovi-Dotse and Kate Coker-Daisie, son in law Kwame Mantey Gyan, and grandchildren; Dominique K. Lawson, Ayanna J. Dovi-Dotse, Dalton D. K. Dovi-Dotse, Kennedy A. Daisie, Devin D.K. Dovi-Dotse and Kemuel K. Daisie.
One week Memorial service will be held 12:15pm on Wednesday August 28, 2024 at the Christ the King Catholic Church, Accra Ghana. A brief viewing and Burial service will be held at 10am EST (2pm GMT) on Saturday September 7 on the grounds of Evergreen Cemetery 4535 Main Street Jacksonville, Florida 32206.
A Thanksgiving Service will be held at 10:30am GMT on Sunday October 6, 2024 at the Christ the King Catholic Church, followed by a repast at the Church Hall.
All friends and sympathisers are cordially invited.