It is with deep grief that we announce the passing of MARTHE PEDANOU on February 18, at the age of 91.

A beloved mother of 3: two daughters Mathilde and Marie Louise and one son Jean-Luc.  Marthe was a grandmother to Jada-Marie. 

She was a quiet, shy thoughtful and wise woman.  Her soft voice and gentle laughter will be missed by all who knew her.

Marthe lived an extraordinary life. An African woman, she was born in Benin, where she was educated at primary & secondary schools administered by Catholic nuns.  She traveled to Senegal and France, not just for her graduate studies but for her career as a nurse and a midwife.

She ended up in America after her marriage.  Her children became her focus. She served the West African community here in New York with joy.  Joy because she was able to immerse herself in the culture of her home country and, as we say today find her roots again.

The West African community misses her.  Above all, her family misses her, and we will keep her memory alive with cherished anecdotes of our time together.

She is at peace now and has found all her brothers and sisters whose tracks she had lost a long time ago.