Obituaries

Mary A. Fornah, 71

April 19, 2021

Mary A. Fornah, 71, of Lancaster, passed away at her residence on April 19, 2021, surrounded by her family.

Born in Gbendembu, Sierra Leone, she was the daughter of the late Alie and Nenneh Fornah.

Mary earned a BS in Special Education from Norfolk State University and worked for 39 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Lancaster General Hospital, until her retirement in 2017.

She attended First United Methodist Church in Lancaster.
Mary was a member of the Pilot Club of Lancaster, enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her son, Joe A. Nuni, Jr., married to Melanie Nuni of Emeryville, CA; her grandchildren Elijah and Joy Nuni; her siblings Kama, George, Sam, and Martha Fornah, Bomporo Karoma, and Kandeh Farrey and her companion, Wayne Cooke. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Fornah.

Services will be held Saturday, May 29th at 11 AM at First United Methodist Church, 29 E Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Visitation will be held from 10 AM until time of service.

Please make contributions in Mary’s memory to Foster The Bay, 1172 Murphy Ave., Suite 130, San Jose, CA 95131 fosterthebay.org.

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Condolences to the Family

May 28, 2021

Joe & Family,
I pray for your comfort and peace during this time. I am sorry for your loss. 
Massa

May 20, 2021

Dear Joe Jr.
With a deep sense of regret, I wish to express my heartfelt condolence over the passing away of your elegant mother. Those of us who have gone through a similar process do understand how pained you feel, but I pray that you will be courageous as she would want you to be if she were here.
On behalf of your “Pujehun District” family, please accept our sincere condolence for this loss! No one can replace her place but Almighty can comfort your heart! May her soul rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to you, wife, and our grandchildren in CA!
Your uncle,
John Ansu Kaikai
Warrenton, Virginia

May 20, 2021

Joe the Lord is your  strength, Aunty Mary may you continue  to leave in glory, you inspired  me a lot ,you strengthen  my faith,you made me realize  that death is an appointment no one will escape  it and  I should  not be afraid  of..You were an inspiration. May God Almighty grant you  eternity  as you told me that  you have forgiven everyone that hurts you May God  have mercy on your soul  May God’s glory  shine on you in heaven  till we  meet in glory 🙏Fatmata J Sesay 

May 20, 2021

My deepest condolences to you Joe and the entire family.
Thomas P. Sowa

May 11, 2021

To Mary’s Family,
How very sad we are lossing Mary. She was My mother Marge Thomas’s very good friend for many years and she became part of our family. We loved Mary’s kind, gentle way. We will never forget her. 
With heart felt sympathy,
Paige and Darren Klase
  

May 01, 2021

To Mary’s beloved family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Mary was an amazing woman. We worked together for many years and I distinctly remember her beautiful smile and contagious laugh. Such a kind soul to her patients, coworkers and everyone she met. She will certainly be missed. Prayers for comfort during this difficult time.Janice Marlett

May 01, 2021

Joe and family,
So sorry for your loss! Mary was a wonderful person. It was so much pleasure to work with her. So many memories. We laughed and giggled and worked hard together. I will miss your phone calls, text messages, and your prayers to Jesus to bless me good health. Joe you will always be in my thoughts.  Sheetal Gade

May 01, 2021

Joe and family, 
My deepest condolences during this difficult time.  I had the pleasure of working with Mary on 6East at the hospital! She was a beautiful woman with a matching soul. One thing I will always remember is how much she enjoyed pineapples from SKH. I saw her 10 years after I had left the hospital and she still remembered me and spoke about those pineapples. I always sent her a Christmas card just to let her know I always remembered her. So glad to have known Mary! She touched many lives with her smile, laugh and frankness! Prayers and thoughts! 
 

May 01, 2021

Mary was one of my mother’s best friends for over 30 years, and I will remember her kindness and compassion always.

April 28, 2021

Dear Joe,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of your amazing mother. We so wish we could have seen you again. Your mother was very proud of you and your accompishments. She loved you very much.  We are from Saint Andrews Church in Lancaster. We remember you and your mother well when you were a young boy attending there. We love the charity that your mother chose. Blessing to you and your family
David and Wilma McCann

April 27, 2021

Dear Joe and family, my name is Jackie and I worked with Mary on 6 east at LGH for about 6 years. She was like a mother figure to me. She taught me everything I needed to learn as a nurses aid. I could always come to her with my issues and ask for advice and she always told me to toughen up that we lived in a cold world. Boy did she leave an imprint in my heart forever! May the Lord bring you comfort and may she rest in heaven until we meet again.
     Love
Jackie, Julio Arianny & Sawyer 

April 27, 2021

Dear Joe, I remember first meeting Mary at church here in Lancaster in the fall of 1977. Throughout the years we would run into each other every so often such as at Central Market here in downtown Lancaster. At some point we talked and realized we lived one block from each other. I am on North Reservoir Street and she was on East Frederick Street. Then I rent a cabin in northern Pennsylvania which belongs to friends of mine. A couple years ago I saw Mary and I had rented the cabin so I invited her. She joined my friends, Doris and Eleanor in my car. Other friends met us at the cabin. We had a wonderful time. Mary always smiled and was a positive person with a strong faith in the Lord Jesus. Thinking and praying for you as I remember Mary.  Keith Hanneman 

April 26, 2021

 
My dear Aunty Mary was a wonderful, lovely, caring and kindhearted person, who always put other people’s need first, her family means every thing to her.  She was a light at the end of a tunnel,  courageous, positive minded and a strong woman with great faith. We are deeply saddened but we appreciate and thank God for her life.  My favourite Aunty, my best friend, my mum,  my mentor, words cannot express how much i loved  you and miss you. You have gone to be with the Lord , but your sweet memories will for ever be with me. 
Rest in peace my beautiful and beloved Aunty Mary Ann Fornah. Love you.
 

April 26, 2021

Dear Joe
Mary Fornah was a great aunt,sister and loved personality  that lit the room with her beautiful  smiles. She was a courageous,and embodiment  of strength, grace and love.
Her faith and positive  words at all times strengthens each and every person she comes across. She was loved by all.
Auntie Mary as she was fondly call was a kind woman.She cares so deeply for her siblings and always come to their aid whenever things are going off the hook. She was the “Favourite Aunty” that was loved by her nieces ,nephews and in-laws.
We are deeply saddened but we are also grateful  for a life well spent. Her faith was stronger till the end and that brings great Joy as we know you are resting peaceful. 
Aunty,you will always  be loved even when you are gone.Your memories  are indelible and we are grateful to God for sharing  our lives with you.
I love you so so much.
Joe,be strong knowing  fully well that mum is in heaven smiling down at you. Mum was always proud of you and spoke highly of you.
We love you Joe and our heart goes out to you and melanie and the kids.
Rest on Auntie,Till we meet again in Paradise. 
Forever yours
Lucy 

April 26, 2021

Dear Joe and family.
We are so sorry to read of the passing of your mother. We had kept in touch all these years with cards at Christmas. She sent us a note in January telling us she had been ill and was receiving treatments. We had been praying for her recovery and are so sorry that that was not to be. We had so many fun times with Mary when you and Matt were playing football. When we think of Mary we will remember Mary’s sweet nature and radiant smile. 
With heartfelt sympathy,
Pat and Rick Harnish

April 26, 2021

Condolences to the Fornah family
Kenny & Suzanne Myers     Kegel’s Produce 

April 25, 2021

Joe, I worked with your mom for many years on 5 East. She was a great worker and truly cared about those she worked with. We worked hard but also had a lot of fun, in part because of your mom. She was always excited when any of us had babies and in fact, actually met my first baby before my mom and dad did! Anytime she’d see any of my 3 kids when I’d visit 5 East, she’d scoop them up and walk away with them. And especially important, please know she was so proud of you throughout all of your accomplishments.
Monika Noll

April 25, 2021

Dear Joe,
I had the great pleasure of meeting your mom at the hospital many years ago. She was such a kind person with such presence and grace!
 I told her I knew her son and what a fine person he was. And of course she was so proud! I can see why you are such an amazing young man after meeting your mother. 
God bless you at this time Joe!
Mrs. Thomas (Katie’s Mom)

April 25, 2021

Dear Joe and family, we are so sorry for your loss of sweet Mary. Mother, grandmother, sister, Auntie and to we Wallers friend of 30 + years and neighbor for 26 of those years. God bless you all in your sorry but we do not grieve as those who have no hope! We know Mary trusted in Jesus so that gives peace and hope. Love, John and Peg Waller and family

April 25, 2021

Dear Joe,
As soon as I saw this photo in the newspaper, I knew this was your beloved mom. I am so sorry to hear of her passing and I pray you and your family feel peace at this time, and know her memory will live on through you and your children. 
Lots of love to you now and always,
Rachel Brumbach (Gainer)

April 25, 2021

Mary you made work fun with our shared stories and funny cell phone videos. I will miss our phone calls and text messages. Joe so sorry for your family. She was a wonderful person. Lana Magargle 

April 23, 2021

Dear Joe and family,
I was saddened to learn of your mother’s passing.  She was a super great person and loved you dearly.  May she Rest In Peace.
Love,
Mary Lynn DiPaolo

Visitation
Saturday, May 29, 2021
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
First United Methodist Church
29 E Walnut St.
Lancaster, PA
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Services
Saturday, May 29, 2021
11:00 AM
First United Methodist Church
29 E Walnut St.
Lancaster, PA
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
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