Jan 15, 1951 – Nov. 27, 2022
Age 71 years
Hope Olayinka Atitebi was born on 15th January 1951 to Cecil Taiwo Nelson-Cole and Emily Abosede Nelson-Cole at Massey Children Hospital Lagos Island and was the first child of her parents. Her father was a Federal Civil Servant while her mother worked at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital. She was named ‘Hope’ after her Paternal Grandmother Hope Sarah Nelson-Cole. She spent her early formative years and education in the Ita-Balogun area of Lagos Island before moving to the Ebute-Metta. She attended the Anglican Girls Primary School, Broad Street, Lagos. After her primary education, she attended Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode from 1962 – 1967, Hope Olayinka worked briefly at Lagos City Council (present day City Hall) after finishing her secondary education. She proceeded to the United Kingdom to study Music Education at the St. Nicholas Montessori College.
She returned to Nigeria and started her illustrious career in Education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Staff School. It was while working at the UNILAG Staff School she met her husband Johnson Abimbola Atitebi through a mutual friend who made the introduction. After working at UNILAG Staff School for a brief period, she moved to St. Saviors School Ebute-Metta. While at St. Saviors she had the continuous urge in her heart to start her own Nursey and Primary School. In January 1987 her vision was birthed, and Prime Dayspring Nursery and Primary School (A Pre School & K – 6) was established. The first set of students were welcomed to Prime Dayspring over 35 years ago. The school which continues to this day and has outlived her, is a testament to her tenacity, determination, her unwavering sense of duty and deep commitment to that vision. She was a very hands-on Educationist and Proprietress.
Hope Olayinka Atitebi’s union with Johnson Abimbola Atitebi was blessed with many children and grandchildren. She also lived a long, fruitful, and adventurous life with her husband, as they had the privilege of traveling far and wide. In the early 90’s they toured the Far East with friends. They visited Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to name a few. She also traveled extensively around Europe and the United States, and this gave her a proper perspective of the world we live in. As a teacher and educationist, she never failed to use these opportunities to learn about new cultures and cuisine. Hope Olayinka also had green hands, with her love for flowers and the environment. All the homes she lived in had her signature of beautiful indoor and outdoor plants which she cared and groomed meticulously.
Hope Olayinka Atitebi was very fiery and was known to always speak her mind. She was very welcoming and had a large heart, hence her reason to become a teacher/educationist. She was very fond of little children, and she was the life of the party around the little ones. She was never the type to shy away from the energy or challenges they threw at her. As much as she played with them, she was also very strict and got the name ‘Hope Warden’ from her disciplinary nature. Hope liked to dance and go to parties and at the same time had a balance walk with God.
She was spiritual and served God with her heart. She was very active in whatever church or congregation she found herself in. In the last few years, she was dedicated to building a new parish within her Anglican (Episcopal) Communion in Nigeria. Her commitment to the growth and development of Saint John’s Anglican Church, was a prime example of her deep sense of duty which characterized most of her adult life. It was as though she was on a mission to dedicate those years as a service to God, the church and humanity.
She would be thoroughly missed by all those who had any type of relationship with her. She would like to be remembered as a joyous, generous, and open-hearted person. She was a wonderful wife, sweet mother, humble sister, and loyal friend to all those who had the rare privilege of having her in their life. She died peacefully surrounded by her family knowing fully well that she had achieved God’s purpose for her on earth. Wherever she maybe, she is looking on at us as we celebrate an eventful and beautiful life.
She is survived by her husband, siblings, children, grandchildren, aunties, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws, and friends.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the Atitebi family.
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