In Memory of Betsy Rukunyu(1960 - 2018)
- Name
- Betsy Rukunyu
- Spouse
- Philippe Namvula
- Children
- Inhaa, Jayon, Mihwa
- Birth Date
- July 3, 1960
- Blessing Date
- August 25, 1992
- Ascension Date
- August 2, 2018
Our beloved and precious wife, mother, and sister, Betsy Rukunyu, ascended into the spirit world on Thursday, August 2, 2018 after a long battle with cancer, one month after her 58th birthday.
Betsy was born to Eliezari Rukunyu and Ednance Bayomba in Bushenyi District, Uganda and was one of nine sisters and five brothers. Her favorite things to do growing up were to read and play outside.
Betsy had a love for nature that she received from her mother which developed into a fondness for gardening. She would spend time growing many different things, such as strawberries, tomatoes, and Aloe Vera.
She attended Burunga Primary school, Mary Hills Secondary School, and went to Caltech Academy for college and received a teaching degree.
Betsy was introduced to the Unification Movement in 1983. As a faithful church member, Betsy did missionary work, CARP, fundraising and much more during her time in Uganda. Following her international blessing with 30,000 couples on the 25th of August in 1992, Betsy moved to The Democratic Republic of Congo, to join her husband Philippe.
While in the DRC, Betsy and Philippe had their first child, InHaa in 1995. Three years later, they had their second child, Jayon. In 1999, the family left Congo after war broke out and relocated to a refugee camp in Cameroon. During this time, their faith and determination helped them endure their many hardships, eventually arriving in Tucson Arizona, on July 20, 2000. A year after their arrival, their youngest child, Mihwa Rebekah was born. Betsy gave her daughters unconditional love, guidance, support and continued to push them to succeed.
In 2008, Betsy went back to school to get a degree as a Dental Hygienist. She graduated in 2010. That same year, she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. She had a lumpectomy performed, but the cancer returned in 2013. She then pursued natural treatment which was successful until late 2016, when the cancer returned again. In January of 2018, she began chemotherapy treatment but by February, she entered hospice.
Her husband, daughters, and friends took especially good care of her during the time she was ill.
In her new country, Betsy formed many deep and loving friendships. She had friends who came from many different cultural backgrounds. Betsy saw the potential in everyone and everything she came across. She was a best friend, an inspiration, a guidance counselor, and a role model.
Betsy was understanding. She had a glowing personality, a big heart, radiating confidence, an unwavering strength, an infectious smile, and could make anyone laugh. We can still feel her energy all around us. She will always have an everlasting presence in our lives. She leaves a legacy of love, faith, sincerity, and strength.
Betsy will be buried in Mbarare, Uganda in her family cemetery.
Donations can be made to the GoFundMe page: gf.me/u/kdzmkd or checks may be sent to:
Inhaa Namvula
6427 E Calle Mercurio, Tucson AZ 85710.
Seonghwa Information
Seonghwa Ceremony
Saturday, August 11, 2:00 PM
Angel Valley Funeral Home
2545 N Tucson Blvd,
Tucson, AZ 85716
Reception to follow
Wonjeon Ceremony
Date to be announced.
Mbarare, Uganda, Africa
- Time
- 2:00 PM
- Date
- Saturday, August 11, 2018
- Location
- Angel Valley Funeral Home: 2545 N Tucson Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716
Beverley Tidwell
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Betsy has raised 3 beautiful daughters. “You know them by their fruit”. Many blessings to Betsy’s family.
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Glenda Lambert
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I will surely miss Betsy! She was a caring, faithful and determined sister.
My heart goes out to her husband Phillipe and her precious daughters.
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Glenda Lambert
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I will surely miss Betsy!
She was a caring, faithful and determined sister. My heart and prayers are with Philippe and her precious daughters.
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Kate Pugnoli
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Safe travels to your true home sister Betsy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Jean Gomis
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Condolences to the Family. Thanks Betsy for your hard work and sacrifice.
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Susan Schroeder
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I only met Betsy once when I lived in Marana, AZ at a church dinner. I didn’t know who she was, but she welcomed me as if I were an old friend.
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Jacques Marion
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Cher Namvula
Ton épouse travaillera avec toi et tes enfants à partir du monde spirituel. Que votre vie puisse éclairer ceux qui vous entourent, et contribuer au développement de l’Afrique Céleste qui se lève aujourd’hui!
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Manuel Perry III
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God’s Daughters are the Most Precious in All of Creation for they show God’s True Nature…A Mother’s Love!!! There is none more precious than this in All of Creation! Aju. Now travel to your H. Father and embrace Him there as you have your Children here. He will Love it as He has You my Wonderful Sister! Victory is Yours for Eternity…..
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Regine Massika
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Maman Betsy paix à ton âme,je ne vous êtes pas connu,mais vu que nous avions la bénédiction ensemble en 1992 et que vous étiez béni à mon de la RDC et surtout maintenant je fréquente beaucoup l’Ouganda à passant chaque a Mbarara ,directement je sens que j’a perdu une sœur,une mère un membre de ma famille.Seulement avec l’amour Vrai ,nous prions pour la bonne transition de ton esprit dans le monde spirituel,Que Notre Père t’acceuille auprès de lui.Aju
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