Mamo Dula

Mamo Dula, 86, died September 27 at Landis Homes Retirement Community. He will be remembered for the irrepressible cheerfulness with which he lived a long and vibrant life of learning, service, and hospitality.

He was born July 9, 1940, in Shogo, a small town in western Ethiopia, the eldest of ten children born to Dula Lemessa and Tirfe Adamo. He was married for 59 years to Mary Ellen (Groff) Dula.

A childhood herdsman, Mamo continued his education at the Dresser Bible School and Nazareth Bible Academy, Mennonite mission schools in Nazareth, Ethiopia. After a year at Addis Ababa University, he continued his university studies at Goshen College (IN) and graduated from Temple University School of Pharmacy in 1975. He earned a Masters degree in health administration from the College of St Francis in 1991.

He worked as a pharmacist at St Joseph's Hospital (1975-1986) and at Masonic Village, where he was Director of Pharmacy for twenty years (1986-2006). He served on the board of Landis Homes Retirement Community for nine years, five of them as its Chair, and was named 2008 Trustee of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging.

For over 50 years he was an active member of Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, where he was on the pastoral team for several years. Throughout his life he maintained a close connection with the Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) in Ethiopia. He served for decades as a faithful member of the MKC-Link Board, working to advance the mission of MKC and its seminary. He played a foundational role in fundraising for the construction of the landmark MKC administration building in Addis Ababa. He and his family also extended continued support to the development of the Wellega MK College. He championed development projects across Ethiopia, working tirelessly to provide free eye glasses through the Meki Eye Care Project and education through the Birri and Antonio Foundation.

Mamo and Mary Ellen were among the founders and owners of The Blue Nile, Lancaster's first Ethiopian restaurant. They opened their home to countless members of the Ethiopian diaspora and were host parents to a steady stream of Ethiopian students. He made it a priority to return to Ethiopia annually for many consecutive years and after retirement he and Mary Ellen spent their winters there, staying rooted in the homeland he loved.

Mamo will be remembered for his love for nature, evident in his meticulously cared for flower gardens; his love of people, seen in their crowded Sunday dinner table; his love for his family both in the U.S. and in Ethiopia; and his love of God expressed in compassionate discipleship for all.

In addition to his wife, Mary Ellen, Mamo is survived by his sons Andrew (Michelle) of Lancaster, PA and Peter (Ilse Ackerman) of Harrisonburg, VA; four grandchildren, Maya, Mesa, Simon, and Nina; and siblings Kejele, Kenna, Shashitu, Denbele, and Galani.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughters, Elaine and Mamite, his sisters Wirkitu and Elfinesh, and brother, Dirriba.

A memorial service will be held on October 17 at 11:30 am at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Those desiring may send memorial contributions in Mamo's name to Meserete Kristos College/ Seminary Collage Fund.