In Memory of Peninah Musula

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Peninah Musula. People close to her have shared memories and tributes:

It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we honor the memory of our dear colleague and friend, Peninah Musula.  On behalf of IU House Family, I would like to pay tribute to Peninah's remarkable contributions and the mark she left on all of us. Peninah joined the IU house family more than 30 years ago, and during her tenure, she embodied dedication, loyalty, and unwavering commitment.  For the many years she has been an invaluable member of our team and her presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with her.

Peninah's passion for her work was evident in every task. She was cheerful, kind, and compassionate and was not only a respected colleague but also a dear friend to many.  The IU House guests, and long-term faculty and team leads consider her as part of the fabric of IU house and have benefitted from her hard work and caring personality.  She will certainly be missed!

Peninah’s contributions to our organization extends far beyond the professional accomplishments. She touched the lives of those around her in different ways including through her singing talent. We remember her as someone who brought a positive and infectious energy to our workplace with an infectious smile and optimistic outlook. 

As we mourn the loss, let us also celebrate her life and the legacy. To the family and friends, we offer our deepest condolences. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we are here to provide any support you may need.

—John Oguda,

Managing Director, IIGH -K

The news of Penina’s passing saddens us. Few people will ever understand the tremendous foundational contribution she made to the partnership and the success AMPATH has enjoyed globally.  Of course, she not only contributed to building the foundation, she also helped build the rest of the “structure” over the ensuing three decades. As I think about the thousands of Hoosiers and AMPATH Consortium members that have come through IU House, Peninah has fed every last one of them. She is one of the unheralded heroes who has been critical for the success of all that we have accomplished together. We will remember Penina for her kindness, meekness (Blessed are the meek!), and generosity. She showed her love for our immediate family and our greater IU family in so many ways. We are grateful for her and all the good that she did.  

——Lea Anne and Bob Einterz

We were always grateful Lea Anne and Bob Einterz chose Penina to be the cook for the IU House.

In the early years we shared many hours with her in the kitchen learning many things together such as how to pasteurize milk without having it overflow each time it came to a boil (just as we turned our backs, of course).  I’m not sure we ever discovered how to completely clean the milk off the stovetop.

There was a lot of laughter in the kitchen.  One of my favorite memories was when Penina first made our favorite Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake’s icing alone.  She combined all the dry ingredients and turned on the electric mixer which sprayed confectioner’s sugar all over her face making her the whitest person in the room!

Penina always had music around her.  Her choir often would rehearse in her room so their gospel songs of praise served as a background as we washed dishes after evening meals.

We shared in Penina’s wedding.  The IU Toyota went after the bride at 8 AM that morning; however, we got our first lesson in Kenyan timing when the wedding really started several hours later.  Nona Mumia helped us carefully calculate what we needed to feed her estimated 400 guests, but when we cut the first piece of cake, we learned that Kenyans make a little bit of cake go a LONG way by cutting each of the individual servings into many more.

During the 2007/8 clashes, Penina helped oversee our kitchen that fed those who sought refuge in IU House.  Each evening she led us all in song at the communal prayer meetings in the dining room as our guests from tribes clashing outside the gate gathered together simply as a Kenyan family.

We watched Penina’s children grow.  Abednego is now an engineer in West Virginia.  Jesse has moved his family to Nairobi.  Naomi, her youngest, married next to Dr. Kibosia’s son, and Leah married this past year.  We are sure their families will miss their mother and grandmother.

Penina watched the IU-Moi collaboration grow into AMPATH involving many schools.  Many people fell in love with her and even helped her build a home in Kakamega, her original home, but she still kept her roots in Eldoret at her church and with the IU-AMPATH program.

.Penina was the last of the four original employees (Yusuf, driver; Michael, guard; Bob, gardener/handyman) still at IU House, so her passing marks the end of an era.

—Joe and Sarah Ellen Mamlin

The death of Peninah Musula came to me as a total shock and I am trying to come to terms with the passing of a legend at Indiana University House. Peninah was an inspirational figure to everyone who ever had the pleasure and a chance to interact with her. She was also a true maverick and her passion and creativity which were evident in every dish she created. She had a wicked sense of humour but her standards and work ethic were second to none. Ms Peninah was committed to improving processes at the kitchen and always supporting everyone on the team without hesitation. She had a gift of innovative thinking, a visionary spirit, and the unwavering patience required to successfully lead a meaningful stay here at IU House

In addition, to her devotion to her work, Peninah always found time for her colleagues, her friends, and her family–especially her grandchild. Having worked with Peninah closely over the last twelve years, I learned much about her love for her family. They were never far from her thoughts in everything she did.

How does one express the amazing essence and spirit of Peninah, her selfless generosity, uncompromising belief in God, and unwavering commitment to family and friends? Words, even the very best of words, cannot pay tribute or truly capture the sense of loss that we feel. Ms. Peninah always preached through her gospel songs which has touched many people across the globe. The loss is there–tangible and real within everyone–but Peninah exemplified life, love, laughter, and an irrepressible belief and faith in seeing the best in everything, never losing hope.

And so, today we not only honor her by profoundly feeling and expressing our loss, but also by remembering Peninah as an amazing Chef who has played a unique and special role in all of our lives. I wish you farewell in your journey to eternity Peninah and you will be in our hearts and memories. It was a privilege for us to have been a part of your IU House life. Although much too short, hers was a life well lived!

—Nahashon Kimutai

Peninah has worked for IU since 1990. She will greatly be remembered for her food, kind wisdom, melody voice, captivating laughter. I worked with Peninah for 23 years.  We are deeply saddened by her demise.

—Dunia

Peninah was more than simply my older sister, she was also like a mother to me. She helped me get my current job. I have lost a special member of my family. God is not to be blamed because it is His doing and according to His will. I pray that she may Rest in Peace.

--Robert (her brother)

Peninah has been like a parent to me ever since I started working at IUH and even before that. She had encouraged me to look for jobs and to be patient, especially when I applied to IUH. We got along really well. She frequently offered me advice. She was a straightforward person who valued humility, respect and honesty. Her demise was a shock to me and the entire IUH family. I shall really miss her. I send my condolences to the family, friends, coworkers, and the entire community. God bless and keep her family, whom she has left behind. Rest in Eternal Peace Peninah. Amen.

--Silas

I have a history with Peninah. We shared a church and have remained close ever since. We sang songs that have inspired me while we were not at work. She welcomed me as a new employee at IUH even before I started working there, she was a kind person to me. She took care of all of us. She treated all of us with kindness. She was everyone's friend at work and always promoted mutual respect and teamwork. I will remember her for her kindness, honesty, words of wisdom, and for the love she showed us. She is someone I will genuinely miss singing with and as a friend. I believe it by God's plan and will. I pray that God my Rest her Soul in eternal peace. Amen.

--Kavere

To every one of us, Peninah served as a mother. She was like a second mother to me. She was a fantastic cook with remarkable talents. She was a lovely and straightforward individual. She was someone I liked because she never let me stray. She corrected me when she felt I was wrong, just like I was her daughter. I will miss her dearly."

--Julie

I've known Peninah before working at Indiana University (House), and up until God took her, we were working well together. She had a great sense of humour. She enjoyed connecting with others and got along well with all of us. She made jokes with everyone and, of course, wished them well. She never said ill will towards anyone. She was incredibly knowledgeable, understanding, and respectful. I pray that God will provide her soul eternal peace.

--Gabriel

So vividly, I remember her calling me ‘Mtoto wetu’ (our child) for a greeting. She would probably be humming or singing when I got to the kitchen, ever singing Peninah! I would turn to her to get IU House history many times and she would dramatically narrate.

Oh, how I will you miss you mum! How I will miss your positive vibes. Even when unwell you had unwavering faith that you would be well--that you would be better--that you would be healthier. Indeed, you got better and healthier and stronger. Then you rested! Sincerely, it is hard for me, probably even harder for the people who knew you longer and I can’t imagine what it is for your family! I remain comforted that you got better, healthier and stronger. And now you get to rest! Rest in peace! I will miss you mtoto wetu!

-- Allylah