Alefech (Adey) Haile Michael

Woizero Alefech Haile-Michael

“Anything is possible.” That is what W/o Alefech Haile-Michael used to say and believed about life. Known as Adey to those who knew her best, she was born on November 23, 1913 in Asmara, Eritrea, one of eleven children born to Belata Haile Michael and W/o Dehab Ekubit. Her father was a businessman and her mother a homemaker.

Like her father, Adey skillfully ran a successful business. Like her mother, she was married at an early age and raised an equally large family: W/o Abeba, Commander Tekie, Ato Fidel, Major Michael, Saba, Sophia, Rezene, Hailu, Senait, Lula and Dawit. The tumultuous end of World War II forced Adey and her family to move from Asmara to Addis Ababa where she again established her independence by running the family farm. In addition to her husband and children, Adey’s house was home to many other relatives whom she raised as her own.

Her life was again turned upside down during Ethiopia’s political upheaval and her husband’s subsequent death. Adey was now the head of our family and she had an incredible task ahead of her - to raise and protect her family in what must have seemed like an impossible situation. And yet through it all, she never ceased to laugh and to enjoy herself. She understood all too well how short life could be. She never complained. Ever. She prayed fervently so that the dreams of others could come true and toasted our accomplishments. She exalted with each new grandchild’s birth, none more excitedly than the last born, because Solomon was the namesake of her beloved husband.

It was this fierce devotion to life that carried her through many obstacles, including a forced move to the United States and the death of her youngest daughter. Hers was a life punctuated by intense happiness and equally intense heartbreak. Few would question her joy for living and even fewer could hope to lead a life with as much promise fulfilled as she did.

Adey passed away on May 13, 2010 of natural causes at a seasoned age of 97, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her 10 children, 27 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.

In her honor, the family invites you all to join us in the celebration of her life. Adey would prefer it that way.