Mackasmiel, Orpah Akeyo

Orpah Akeyo Mackasmiel of Blacksburg, Va., and Kenya, died on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at the Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, Va., (USA) after a long battle against end-stage renal disease that was preceded by diabetes and high blood pressure. Born in Kisumu, Kenya, on July 30, 1959, to Mr. Malaki Obaje Iro and Hellen Achieng’ Otugha, Orpah was an excellent student, a great mother, a loving wife and a talented cook. She received her education in Nyakach and Sega Girls’ High Schools in Kisumu District. She proceeded to train as a secretary at the CICT in Kisumu town. In Kenya she worked as a secretary in Bukura Institute of Agriculture and the Provincial Director of Agriculture Headquarter in Nakuru Town, Rift Valley Province. Orpah joined her husband, Lucas Mackasmiel, in the USA and has been in the country till her passing. While in the United States, she trained as a certified nursing assistant/caregiver and worked in a number of retirement communities centers before her medical condition made it impossible to engage in regular employment. However, she privately continued to foster community togetherness as well as friendship among several cultures/peoples around Blacksburg. She was a devoted church attendant, a born-again Christian, and an avid lover of all people she interacted with, without regard to age or race. Orpah Mackasmiel is survived by her husband, Lucas; her sons, Benjamin (Ben) popularly known as “Chief,” and George; and a daughter, Catherine (Cathy). The Funeral Service will be held from 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at McCoy Funeral Home Chapel, Blacksburg, Va. (USA). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mackasmiel family children’s account at Bank of America (A/C #435023214105). Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.