Maurice Olwali

MAURICE OLWALI Sunrise: 9/07/1960 – Sunset: 10/01/2021 It is with humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the promotion to glory of Maurice Olwali. Son of the late Shujaa Rev Zablon Cuthbert Olwali and Rev. Ethne Kendeli Olwali. Brother of Flora Wekesa, the late Joan Anyoso, Violet Wambiya, Ronald Omulindi, the late Khachina and Oliver Olwali. Friend to everyone he met and always with a smile on his face. Maurice Olwali was born 9/1/1960 to Shujaa Rev Zablon Cuthbert Olwali and Rev. Ethne Kendeli Olwali. He was one of seven children born to his parents. Maurice was intelligent and competed to attend high school at a boarding school in Kenya. He also competed to be allowed to attend college in the United States. He arrived in New York and did not even understand the currency, so he just hoped that people would be honest. He spent the night in a bus station where a nice security guard watched over him. The next day he boarded a bus headed to Evansville, Indiana. He had a host family and attended the University of Evansville. Later he switched to the University of Southern Indiana and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1989. He went on to get a master’s degree from USI in 1991. Maurice worked for Job Corps in Henderson Kentucky. In 2004, he was looking for a new job and after speaking to a friend, he applied at Central Library. For over 23 years Maurice was a beloved member of the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library staff and worked in the Popular Materials Department until his recent passing. He always had a smile for everyone, weather colleague or customer, and his amiable personality made him well-loved by many. He went above and beyond for customers, and shared a cheerful "good morning" to all, always using their name. He had a quiet strength that made him a valued team member, and he worked to stay up-to-date on film history in order to better serve library users. Maurice contributed and participated in many events and programs hosted by the library including representing Kenya in the Holiday parade, giving tours of the Giant Map of Africa to children and adults, sharing stories from his childhood in Kenya at the library’s Culture night, and singing Silent Night in Swahili at Holiday Harmony. Maurice loved Colts football and would go to games in Indianapolis when his schedule allowed. He appreciated good food and was a regular at many local restaurants. He was a great friend to multiple generations of families and his laugh could make a person smile on their darkest day. He was unique, caring, and kind. Maurice always saw the best in people and would give compliments freely. His thoughtful insights will now be cherished memories of time spent with him. His joy for life and his passion for his job will be remembered with fondness. Though his light in this world has been extinguished, we will carry the light he shared with us all forever. He will be missed by the staff and customers at the library as well as his many friends.