Penina Nyandwi

Ms. Penina Nyandwi died in the morning of August 9th, 2020 at the age of 64, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nyandwi was born on January 1st, 1956, in the Province of Bururi,Burundi,in the Central-East of Africa. Nyandwi was born to Bigoma Merchiol and Zidona,Madeline. She married her husband Samson Bagwendahafi in 1972, while still in Burundi. In 1972, she fled to Zaire because of civil war in Burundi. She moved to Rwanda in 1973 where she lived for many years. In 1994, another civil war started and caused Nyandwi and her husband to flee Rwanda seeking refuge, to Tanzania, where she hoped to be safe. She continued to struggle as a refuge in Tanzania where she lived for over 15 years.

She was blessed with 13 children,4 died 9 are still living. Butoyi Clement, Bukuru Antoinette,Ndikumana Florence, Ntakirutimana clementine, Hatangimana Rachel, Ndayiragije, Abel,Nduwimana Josephine, Ndayisaba Dani and Ndayikengurikiye Seth. She was also lucky with 30 grandchildren. Among those 30 grandchildren, 28 are still living and 2 died. She thanked God every day, every hour and every minute for everything she had I her life. Nyandwi was a wife, mother, grandmother, and friendly to many in our community.

Nyandwi and her family left refugee camp and came to Utah in 2007. She wanted to live a gospel life; she was able to fulfil that through the Seventh Days Adventists Church. Nyandwi was a mother of faith, and because of her faith and strong testimony about Jesus Christ, she continued to worship the Lord for the blessings she had in her live. Nyandwi lived an amazing life, but not without its difficulties.

Nyandwi has accomplished so much in her life. She wanted her children to live in safe country; she made that happen. She was a woman of hope who kept working hard even when life made it difficult for her. Nyandwi was a hard-working woman, who ran miles just to protect and provide for her family. She did not only feed her own family, she also fed friends and community members. She loved cooking in her life. She was great and super good for making Burundian traditional food. Many of us know well how she was very good at making Uburobe. We enjoyed her home-made food and we will miss that. She made sure that her children were fed and given all the necessities they needed. Nyandwi was a shining example in her family, friends and the community. She will be missed by many in the community. Rest In Peace, and we have faith that we will meet again.

Burial will be in the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 So Highland Dr., Salt Lake City on Saturday, August 22, 2020 in the care of Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home & Cremation Center.