"One love, one heart, and one destiny" ~ B. Marley
Donation protected
Chimwemwe Mphande Obituary
After a heroic battle against cancer, Chimwemwe Mphande took his final breath and departed this world on February 3, 2024. He transitioned surrounded by his immediate family and the final touch he felt holding his hand was that of his loving mother.
Born in Malosa, Malawi in 1974, “Chim” was the second oldest of five children born to Mary and Lupenga Mphande. Chimwemwe lived up to the meaning of his name which translates from Chichewa to 'happiness and joy'.
In 1986 he and his family came to the United States and lived in Austin, Texas. In 1989, Chimwemwe and his family moved to Columbus, Ohio. After graduating from Hilliard High School, he attended the Ohio State University for a while majoring in architecture. He continued to be a life-long learner and committed his career to working for NetJets in Columbus for twenty years.
Chimwemwe had the gift of never meeting a stranger. Even as a child, he welcomed hundreds into his heart with his bright smile and engaging conversations. He could make friends instantly and make them feel as if they had known each other for years. He was passionate about so many things that could hold you in conversations about everything from camping to reggae music to astrophysics to Aston Villa F.C. Chim had a “green thumb” – turning something that was once wilted into a blooming wonder. He often dreamt of his home in Malawi – walking along the red dirt roads in the Embangweni and Thoza villages and swimming in Lake Malawi. The project he was most proud of was planting a forest of fruit trees in Thoza, the Mphande village, for many generations to come to enjoy.
Chimwemwe leaves a legacy of love with his parents, Mary (Zimba) Mphande and Lupenga Mphande, his two brothers Mangisani (Tawanna Mphande) and Tichafa and two sisters Leya and Tamaliyapo (Jared Buerger), along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also had a myriad of devoted friends and colleagues. He joins the legacies of his grandparents, Winston & Ethel Zimba and Notice & Tamaliyapo Longwe Mphande.
In addition to the expert care he received from physicians and hospital staff at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Mangi, Leya, Tamaliyapo, and their mother, Mary, were his devoted caregivers. He had the gift of leading with love and took tremendous care of his family and friends. He was the Godfather to four children that he loved deeply. Chim always brought joy to any room he was in, had a great curiosity and appreciation of the world, and took pride in supporting his many friends and family members.
“Chim was simply a gift to all of us.”
– the Mphande family
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chimwemwe Mphande, please visit floral store.
Services
VISITATION
Friday
February 9, 2024
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Egan - Ryan Central Chapel (East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio)
VISITATION
Saturday
February 10, 2024
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Broad Street Presbyterian Church
760 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday
February 10, 2024
10:00 AM
Broad Street Presbyterian Church
760 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
COMMENCEMENT & REFRESHMENTS
Saturday
February 10, 2024
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Broad Street Presbyterian Church
760 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
RESTING PLACE
Saturday
February 10, 2024
12:00 PM
Green Lawn Cemetery Columbus
1000 Greenlawn avenue
Columbus, OH 43223
Send Flowers to Chimwemwe's Resting Place
Guaranteed delivery before the Resting Place begins
Donations
Lifecare Alliance
1699 W Mound St,, Columbus OH 43223
Organizer and beneficiary
Tesfaldet Woldemichael
Organizer
Columbus, OH
Mary Mphande
Beneficiary