Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.
Obituary
Julianah Abimbola Dada (Nee Oyelese), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and much-loved community member passed away peacefully on May 19th, 2024. Simply known as “ Mommy Dada”, she was loved by many in the US, Nigeria, and worldwide.
Mommy Dada left us with a legacy of unselfish love, evident in how she treated everyone, especially children, as her own. She was unfailingly generous to all and always had treats for the children at church, giving them something to look forward to.
Mrs. Julianah Abimbola Dada was born on July 8th, 1940 to the family of Elder and Mrs. Johnson Oyeshola Oyelese in Erunmu, Oyo State, Nigeria. Her early education started at the Seventh Day Adventist Primary School in Erunmu in 1946, followed by her secondary modern school education in Erunmu, where she graduated with honors in December 1959. She then attended Iwo Road Local Government Teacher Training College in Ibadan from January 1960 to December 1961. As a certified teacher in 1962, she discovered that after a few months teaching was not for her, and she gained admission to the highly competitive government preliminary ministry of education program at Eleyele, Ibadan. This was followed by enrollment into the advanced nursing education program at Adeoyo Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated with honors as a Registered Nurse in January 1966.
In December of 1966, she was engaged to her childhood friend and lifelong love, Mr. Samson Abidoye Dada, whom she would marry a year later. In June 1967, she came to the US where she married Samson Abidoye Dada on December 31, 1967, at the Seventh Day Adventist First Church in Washington D.C.
Her family moved to New York in 1971, where she worked for the City Hospital Corporation for several years and also Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, among others. She attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management in 1976. Mrs. Dada worked in several fields of nursing as a staff nurse and nursing supervisor, but her preferred field and passion was geriatric care where she provided compassionate care to the elderly population. She was also featured in the Official Gazette Extraordinary newspaper on July 12, 1971, as part of the list of RNs kept by the Nursing Council for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Her marriage was blessed with four children Ayotunde Dada, Folashade Dada, Olajide Dada, and Iyabo Ariyo, and 8 grandchildren Omolara Dada, Temilola Dada, Damisi Arowosegbe, Anjola Arowosegbe, Toriola Dada, Monisola Dada, Moyosore Ariyo, and Mayokun Ariyo. Mommy Dada was also blessed with many more children at her home church Calvary First Nigerian SDA Church in Brooklyn, NY. She faithfully served as a Deaconess, Sabbath School teacher and choir member. Above all, she was spiritually blessed and devoted to the almighty Lord in all things and served him faithfully, raised her children and grandchildren to serve the Lord, and showed unconditional love, generosity, and kindness to all. She will be greatly missed, but we look forward to reuniting with her on the beautiful resurrection morning where we will part no more.
She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and siblings, Mrs. Esther Ogungbensan and Elder Wole Oyelese.
A Service of Songs will be held July 24th, 2024 in Ibadan, Nigeria and her memorial and burial will be held July 25th in Ayede, Nigeria.
We ask everyone to honor Mommy Dada’s legacy by showing kindness to others. Through the many lives she touched and the values she upheld and lived by, let us strive to follow her example and build our legacies of compassion making this world a little brighter and more loving.
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Dr. Oyenike Kilanko neè Oyedijo
Mommy was a true proverb 31 woman and a mother who is OVERLY protective of EVERYONE connected to her. She will be greatly missed. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen!
Daddy, Ayo, Shade, Jide and Iyabo, be comforted by the hope of resurrection, on that great getting up morning. 🙏🏽❤️
Lots of love from the Apatas.
Mummy, as I always call her, was a very selfless, hardworking, generous and enterprising lady.
Mummy played a very vital role in the lives of many of us, both in the Spiritual and secular setting.
Spiritually, Mummy was one of the founding members of the Nigerian Seventh Day Adventist Church in Brooklyn New York.
From the onset, she played many roles:
The Sabbath School Supretendent and Director for many years.
The Women and Personal Ministry Leader for many years.
A strong foundation member of the Choir.
She was the sponsor of the Children Department for many years.
Mummy introduced many into the business world.
She was a member of many manufacturing Out-Lets, with direct access to Wholesales and Distributorship opportunities. She introduced so many of us into the Business world.
Mummy lived an exemplary life, worthy of emulation. Serving God and humanity with all her life. Bringing so many into God's Fold.
We thank God for Mummy's life and the family God blessed her with and dedication, devotion and commitment in raising them.
Mummy will be greatly missed. We love you so much, but God loves you more.
Sleep on Mummy until the Resurrection Morning.
Ademola Adeniji.
For the entire Adeniji Family,
Home and abroad.
Thanks Mummy for the purposeful life-giving relationship.
Neither Akin or myself knew you when we arrived New York in the 70s. But my Sister ln - law, Mrs. Elizabeth Yemi Oyedijo knew you enough to ask you to be the Chairlady of our wedding reception. Mummy! Since January 18th, 1975, you loved Akin and l with passion. We are really grateful to you for making our wedding so unforgettable. You valued the God-given talents in me, and you chose me to lead one of your children's engagement's ceremony.
You were a force for good things through out your life.
We thank God for your kind-hearted personality.
Sleep on Desrest till we meet to part no more.
From Nike Akin-Tugbiyele
Mummy had a unique gift for making everyone feel like family. Her home was always open, a sanctuary of warmth and comfort where anyone could find a listening ear, a hot meal, and a heart full of understanding. She embodied the essence of unconditional love, treating each person with the same care and devotion as if they were her own child.
Mummy taught us the true meaning of generosity, not just through her words but through her actions. She gave without expecting anything in return, finding joy in the happiness of others. Whether it was a simple act like bringing snacks after church service or a grand gesture, her love knew no bounds and reached far and wide. She was a pillar of strength, always putting others' needs before her own, and yet she never lost her gentle spirit or her boundless enthusiasm for life.
Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched.
As we say our final goodbyes, let us celebrate the incredible woman she was and the profound impact she had on our lives. Let us carry forward her legacy by embracing the qualities she exemplified: kindness, generosity, and an open heart.
Sleep well, dear Mummy. You were a mother to everyone, and your love will forever be etched in our hearts. Thank you for gracing our lives with your presence. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
-Esther Adeniji
You were such a kind and loving child of God, always ready to give and help as needed.
You embrassed my family as soon as we met at Calvary 1st Nigerian S D A Church. With you around, no sad moment. My children never forget you.
Our consolation is that we shall meet again on the ressurection morning.
Sleep on mummy.
Moji Adediran for the family.
I'm privileged to know our mother. We always called her mummy Dada.
Mummy, Julianah Dada, had a very large heart. She cared for people no matter where they are from.
This is a woman that didn't want anyone to suffer beside her. He loved people and wasn't afraid to say things as they were. She was a woman of integrity and worthy of emulation. Mummy Dada was a founding member of the First Nigeria Calvary SDA Church. She held various positions in the Church till her retirement when she moved with daddy to another state where the children were. My husband and her came from the same village; and that made me special to her.
I referred to her early on as the Dorcas of our generation. Mama was an RN Supervisor and she was a business woman. Mama was always giving clothes to new and old members of our church. I’m a recipient of this favor. These were not old clothes but new, part of what she was selling.
It is interesting to note she gave it according to our tastes. She was very special to all members of the first Nigeria Calvary Church.
Mummy Julianah Dada had finished her course and though we will miss her, but on resurrection morning we will meet again.
Darling Mummy Dada, I say “Good night”.
Caroline Adeniran.
Mummy Dada is the name we all called you!
Yours was a life well spent.
You were a beacon of kindness, strength and love. You touched so many lives with your selfless and countless acts of kindness, always giving and never expecting any favors in return.
You were an epitome of sheer excellence, an encourager, a fashionista, and a dedicated Christian. We miss you a lot. Adieu mama! See you on the resurrection morning. Love,
Elder Richard & Mrs. Lydia Akobi
We thank God for the life of Mama Julianah Dada on this earth!!
She was one of a kind a true Woman of substance and of virtue. She was loving caring kind and very affectionate!!
Mama Dada You were Epitome of
Sincerity! Integrity!! Love!! Peace!Accountability, Courageous and Generosity. Grandma was lover of Children and Caring Mother. Who will always be missed by Many Children at Calvary 1st Nigeria Seventh Day Adventist Church Here in New-York (USA) Especially My own Children: They all missed the Special bags they got every Sabbath, Mama Dada, You stood by my family! You were my Benefactor, my trainer to whom, I owed a lot of gratitude. More Words are not enough to express
How much you cared and loved Us
You lived your life to the fullest
Wined and Dined with the Nobles!!
Rest on Grandma. We missed you
But we know you are Resting at the Bosom of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Where we shall
Meet to part no more
Family tree
Oyelese
