Biography
Biography
Mrs. Victoria Akuah Adade was born on the 18th November 1942.
She was born to parents Mr. Kweku George Daniel Simpson Hammond and Mrs. Frances Claire Hammond who both lived in Sierra Leone. Her father’s parents were from Ghana and Sierra Leone and her mother’s parents were from Sierra Leone. They had 7 children, being 6 girls and 1 boy, where Mrs. Adade was the oldest, followed by Dorothea, late Wilhemina, late Alexander, Frances, Juliette, and Juliana. She has 2 older stepsisters from her father’s side – Mrs. Austina Coker and Mrs. Claudia Oluwole.
In her early years, she was a member of the Sierra Leone Girl Guides, attended the St. Joseph’s Convent in Sierra Leone and later attended the Catholic Girls Teachers Training College in Kenema, Sierra Leone. From there she went on to teach at St. Joseph’s Convent Elementary where she had previously studied, she remained a proud alumnus and reconnected with the school community in The UK.
Biography
On the day of her 23rd birthday in 1965 Mrs. Victoria packed her bags and the following day left Freetown, Sierra Leone for London; not knowing the generational impact of this brave decision. The following month she married her childhood sweetheart, Mr. Samuel Kweku Adade whom she had previously met in Sierra Leone. He had travelled by moped from Ghana to Sierra Leone and courted her by writing letters to both herself and her siblings to express his devout love. They remained happily married for 48 years until his passing in September 2013.
Mr. and Mrs. Adade had 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls; however, they unfortunately lost a baby son. The children are Kweku, Kwame, Kensema, Kwesi, late Kwabena (Theophilus) and Akuah.
Mrs. Adade considered herself a disciplinarian and in her own words said, “I am strict, and I don’t joke, and I don’t mess around”. Mrs. Adade possessed a truly unique character, her matriarchal tough exterior partnered with her omnibenevolent interior equipped her to be the perfect no nonsense yet eternally loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Biography
Mr. Adade returned to Ghana to establish a business, but the distance did not stop them from speaking every day. They then decided that it would be best for the whole family to relocate and live in Ghana in 1977. Her strong character and resilient attitude enabled her to cope well in a land that was foreign to her. She had to learn the culture, support her husband, stand up for her children and in so doing gained the respect of her in-laws. Of course, she made lots of friends along the way. The family returned to England in 1979 due to unrest in the country.
Education was of utmost importance to Ms. Victoria and she completed several catering, teaching and I.T courses, primarily at Carshalton College, England. It was here where she obtained City and Guilds catering qualifications, it is truly remarkable how she found the time to achieve this with 5 children and working full-time. But that is what our mother was, remarkable.
Biography
Amongst other jobs, she was a staff chef at Croydon General Hospital, and a Senior Chef de Partie at Selsdon Park Hotel. However, to us she was our doctor, lawyer, teacher, caterer, taxi driver and of course number one chef! Her exceptional cooking which will forever be missed.
Over 30 years ago, Mrs. Adade was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to undergo major surgery. Thankfully the surgery was successful and in 1992 she was discharged from Atkinson Morley Hospital. She remained resilient throughout her recovery period and many people were unaware of the extent of her illness. She spent this difficult recovery time putting her children through school and university – a true testament of her character and goodwill.
She was extremely passionate towards her family both near and far and helped to fund the rebuilding of her family home in Freetown, Sierra Leone. She never forgot all that they had done for her, as well as her sisters, brother, children, and other relatives both from her mother and father’s side including those in Ghana. She would offer her time, money and prayers for those experiencing hardships and was constantly helping people, ready to give whatever she had; her generosity knew no bounds. Upon news of her passing the outpour of love from around the world from countries such as Switzerland to Sierra Leone; Jamaica to Germany truly highlights this.
Biography
Being a very religious person, Mrs. Adade regularly attended church and often met with her benevolent Bible study group. She enjoyed reading, discussing and eventually even quoting the scriptures. Praying was very important to her; she took her faith and relationship with God very seriously and encouraged all to do the same.
Being a very religious person, Mrs. Adade regularly attended church and often met with her benevolent Bible study group. She enjoyed reading, discussing and eventually even quoting the scriptures. Praying was very important to her; she took her faith and relationship with God very seriously and encouraged all to do the same.
In her later life she turned to fitness to provide additional social and health benefits. She danced, swam and more recently attended F45 – the high intensity circuit class, where she was awarded medals and certifications for her fitness improvements. Mrs. Adade kept up with the times and had a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok account. She often took selfies and enjoyed sending voice notes to loved ones, we will treasure these forever.
She has left behind 5 children, 16 grandchildren and a great granddaughter who will greatly miss her as she was the linchpin of the family. She was one of the strongest, most generous, kindest, most loving people that you ever could meet. We gained so much from her with an upbringing that was second to none, from discipline to life lessons, to religious faith. With her passing, such a void will simply not be able to be filled. We know that God is in control and that she is in his hands now and may she rest in perfect everlasting peace!
Upon Mrs. Adade’s passing, her bible remained open on the book of proverbs, the first reading of today’s mass. This section of the bible recounts “wisdoms for life”, it seems as though she still continues to teach us today.
