Obituary for Helen Mavis McHatta (Luvanda)
Mrs. Helen Mavis McHatta, age 73, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at Capital Region Medical Center.
Helen was born on April 14, 1947, in Makete, Tanzania, the daughter of Judas Thomas Luvanda and Anyikye Kusiluka. On January 9, 1972, she was married in Tanzania to Rashid McHatta, who preceded her in death on November 10, 2012.
After graduating from Loleza Girls High school in 1966, Helen went on to study for a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics at Nairobi University in 1970 and a Bachelor of Education degree from Bristol University, England, in 1978. She also earned a Master's degree in Education from Howard University, USA ,1981. For 37 years, Helen served as the Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education. She also served as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Chairperson of National Committee for Promotion and Consumption Vitamin A Rich Fruits and Vegetables. In 1980, Helen founded the Tanzania Home Economics Association and became the Secretary-General of Home Economics Association for Africa. Helen was involved in various organizations to include Women and Aids in Africa. Helen was an avid churchgoer and a member of Msasani Lutheran Church, Tanzania, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Helen enjoyed traveling; she traveled to 47 countries. Her favorite trips include taking her grandchildren to England and going to Hawaii and Cancun with her late husband. She frequently returned home to Tanzania once she made a home for herself in the USA. No matter where she went, she always came back with great gifts for family and friends. Helen was a very talented cook, and everything that she made was delicious and filled with love. She had an extensive collection of clothing and jewelry, never leaving the house without being put together. Helen valued her education and instilled this trait into her family, teaching them the value of education. Most of all, Helen was a hardworking, passionate figure of strength who never waned in her support or loved for her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, a fantastic and wonderful mother, an exceptional mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. Helen will be most remembered for her elegance, generosity, and constant mission to make the world a better place. Helen dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. She excelled at helping her children, and all her family and friends and made it her mission to improve the lives of others.
Survivors include: three children, Sipho McHatta of Leicester, England, Upendo Linda McHatta of Jefferson City, Mo., and Amani McHatta of Jefferson City, Mo ; one sibling, Ezelina Njobelo of Mbeya, Tanzania; five grandchildren, Helen McHatta, Siobhan McHatta, Izyan Mangosongo, Amani McHatta, Jr.,Kevin McHatta; daughter in laws Christine and Matildah Mchatta , many nephews and nieces and lifelong best friend, Vicky Mushi.
Helen was preceded in death by: her loving husband; her parents; and three siblings.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. The general public is welcome to attend the visitation while following social distancing guidelines. Please stay 6 feet apart and avoid close contact. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to wear masks or other personal protective equipment while in attendance.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with The Reverend Sam Powell officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 11:45 a.m. for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Helen was born on April 14, 1947, in Makete, Tanzania, the daughter of Judas Thomas Luvanda and Anyikye Kusiluka. On January 9, 1972, she was married in Tanzania to Rashid McHatta, who preceded her in death on November 10, 2012.
After graduating from Loleza Girls High school in 1966, Helen went on to study for a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics at Nairobi University in 1970 and a Bachelor of Education degree from Bristol University, England, in 1978. She also earned a Master's degree in Education from Howard University, USA ,1981. For 37 years, Helen served as the Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education. She also served as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Chairperson of National Committee for Promotion and Consumption Vitamin A Rich Fruits and Vegetables. In 1980, Helen founded the Tanzania Home Economics Association and became the Secretary-General of Home Economics Association for Africa. Helen was involved in various organizations to include Women and Aids in Africa. Helen was an avid churchgoer and a member of Msasani Lutheran Church, Tanzania, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Helen enjoyed traveling; she traveled to 47 countries. Her favorite trips include taking her grandchildren to England and going to Hawaii and Cancun with her late husband. She frequently returned home to Tanzania once she made a home for herself in the USA. No matter where she went, she always came back with great gifts for family and friends. Helen was a very talented cook, and everything that she made was delicious and filled with love. She had an extensive collection of clothing and jewelry, never leaving the house without being put together. Helen valued her education and instilled this trait into her family, teaching them the value of education. Most of all, Helen was a hardworking, passionate figure of strength who never waned in her support or loved for her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, a fantastic and wonderful mother, an exceptional mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. Helen will be most remembered for her elegance, generosity, and constant mission to make the world a better place. Helen dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. She excelled at helping her children, and all her family and friends and made it her mission to improve the lives of others.
Survivors include: three children, Sipho McHatta of Leicester, England, Upendo Linda McHatta of Jefferson City, Mo., and Amani McHatta of Jefferson City, Mo ; one sibling, Ezelina Njobelo of Mbeya, Tanzania; five grandchildren, Helen McHatta, Siobhan McHatta, Izyan Mangosongo, Amani McHatta, Jr.,Kevin McHatta; daughter in laws Christine and Matildah Mchatta , many nephews and nieces and lifelong best friend, Vicky Mushi.
Helen was preceded in death by: her loving husband; her parents; and three siblings.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. The general public is welcome to attend the visitation while following social distancing guidelines. Please stay 6 feet apart and avoid close contact. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to wear masks or other personal protective equipment while in attendance.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with The Reverend Sam Powell officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 11:45 a.m. for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.