By Doris Sialusunga, Lusaka CNCS

Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda, Archbishop of Lusaka, has urged Catholic Sisters and mourners to surrender Sr. Susan Nayame to God with faith following her death.

Archbishop Banda said Sr. Nayame, a member of the Daughters of the Redeemer, died at the age of 46, but the holy harvest of life is not measured by the number of years a person lives, but by the quality of their days and the steps they take to fulfil the hopes God places in them.

He was speaking during the requiem Mass for Sr. Nayame, who was laid to rest at the cemetery Flower Garden of Jesus the Redeemer at Mt Zion in Lusaka.

Sr. Nayame collapsed in the chapel on Friday, August 7, 2026, shortly after lighting a candle while leading prayers. She was taken to Teba Hospital, where she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels.

Sr. Florence Mpundu, who presented Sr. Nayame’s life history, said she subsequently went into a diabetic coma and suffered a stroke before she died at about 11:30 hours.

“The Lord gives; the Lord takes away. These two statements summarise the reason for our being together this moment,” Archbishop Banda said.

He said Sr. Nayame’s death could leave those close to her questioning why she did not tell them that she was unwell or give them an opportunity to help her.

“We may be grappling with questions; why didn’t she tell us that she was not too well? Why didn’t she give us the opportunity to help her out?” he said.

Archbishop Banda said such questions came from deep grief and could lead people to reflect on whether they could have recognised something or done more to help.

He said such thoughts only made people humble before the mystery of death.

“We can only be grateful for the gift of Sr. Susan’s life amongst us and naturally we are sad at her demise. Yet, we surrender her back to God,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head teacher at Ibenga Girls Secondary School, Andrew Mutale Chileshe, described Sr. Nayame as a friend, colleague and family member who embraced people regardless of their status.

“Sr. Susan, or Susu as we called you, how do I even begin to talk about you? Not only were you a religious sister, but you were also a friend and a colleague. You were a family to so many because that’s just who you were. You embraced people,” Mr. Chileshe said.

He said Sr. Nayame was energetic, outspoken and passionate about her work, adding that her work with girls at Ibenga left a lasting impression.

Mr. Chileshe said she remained connected to family members, friends and colleagues and regularly checked on them.

“I talked to you last Wednesday and I didn’t know that was going to be the last that I would talk to you. It’s just a day after and you are gone. Your sudden death has broken so many hearts,” he said.

Meanwhile, a family representative Jairos Siame thanked the Daughters of the Redeemer for giving Sr. Nayame a dignified send-off and supporting the family throughout the funeral.

Mr. Siame said the family was particularly comforted by the fact that Sr. Nayame died while serving in the chapel.

“We would like to thank the Superior General and her team and the entire congregation of the Daughters of the Redeemer for according Sister Susan such a wonderful send-off. Although the void that she has left cannot be filled, we are comforted to know that she lived and served God in a community that cares,” he said.

And Superior General of the Daughters of the Redeemer, Sr. Anastazia M’lauzi, also thanked the clergy, religious congregations, family, friends, committees and individuals who supported the funeral in a speech read on her behalf by Sr. Rose Nyondo.

The congregation also thanked the choirs, institutions and well-wishers who provided prayers, financial assistance, material support and messages of condolence.

Born in Chingola, Copperbelt Province, on September 17, 1980, Sr. Nayame was the fourth child in a family of seven.

She joined the Daughters of the Redeemer as an aspirant in 2010, became a postulant in 2011 and entered the Mount Zion Novitiate in 2012.

She made her first professional vows in 2014 and took her perpetual vows in 2022 at Chaisa Divine Mercy Parish.

Between 2020 and 2024, Sr. Nayame pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology with Education at Zambia Catholic University.

She served in several apostolates, including Chibombo Silent Virtues Community, Mount Zion Retreat Centre and Ibenga Mazzieri Community.

In May 2026, she was transferred to Our Lady’s Community, where she served as an ICT teacher at Our Lady’s School.