Lynell Marchese Zogbo Memorial Page & Funeral Virtual Guestbook

Thank you so much for inviting me to join you all for the beautiful service for Lynell. It was so moving and so much 'Lynell'. For me she was the most amazing linguist and encourager. I first met her soon after arriving in 1982 and she was still helping me by editing my draft of a practical grammar in 2019-2020. I will always be indebted to her! She loved Africa and her people and fought so hard and long against the - mostly 'hidden' -disadvantage they have suffered with regard to their linguistic heritage. This is what so inspired me, from when she first presented her Godié grammar in 1984 and stayed with me ever since. She has left a unique heritage!

Lynell has been a cherished friend for decades, since we were students at the University of Bordeaux in 1968-69. I will miss our talks and emails and the joy or our in-person reunions over the years. John and I feel deep sympathy for Georges, Wané and Kaligbeu and her beloved grandchildren.

I am a colleague friend of Katrine’s. I attended the ceremony and, although I never met her myself, I really got a sense of how lovely she was and how much she touched the lives of so many people around the world. I am sure she will be sorely missed given the impact of her presence in your lives. I have no doubt that the ramifications of her absence will long be felt. Peace to her loved ones.

Lynell was (unknown to me) my external examiner for my PhD. She was amazing with her pages and pages of enthusiastic comments and suggestsions. I later 'met' her when I contacted her for one of her papers, and she identified herself as having been my examiner. We then met at a Bible Translation conference in Dallas soon after, and as someone said, we were 'soul sisters'. So began our thinking and planning together which culminated in the Ruth (trauma-healing) workshop with 30 ladies in Daloa. Lynell is a very special friend, and mentor, whose memory I treasure. And grateful thanks to both Lynell and Georges for their great hospitality to me when I visited them in both Daloa and Abidjan. I look forward to special times with Lynell in heaven, if I can get through the crowd around her!

When my husband and I arrived in Cote d’Ivoire in 1973, Lynell was among the SIL members who had preceded us. She was an important figure in those unforgettable first years. After a few years, she left SIL and later returned to Cote d’Ivoire with the Bible Society, but was always available, always a friend. There’s nothing I can add about Lynell that hasn’t already been said. She was able to do so much—consulting, technical writing, etc.—without intimidating anyone with her brilliance. Dear Lynell, May you rest in peace. We miss you. The world is a lesser place without you. Till we meet again, Nancy

Georges & Lynell, with young Kalingbeu, and pregnant with Wane, were seated close to me on a British Airways flight from Abidjan to London in the Fall of 1989. Conversation easily flowed when we learned that we were all missionaries in Cote d'Ivoire. Lynell's feet were cold, even using the socks that BA provided, and London's temperature was low. I had 2 pairs of hosiery in my carry-on bag, for my eventual arrival in Denver. I gave her a pair. She was so thankful. We exchanged Cote d'Ivoire contact information with each other, and said we'd get back in touch when all of us had returned to RCI. A few years later our paths crossed in Abidjan when Lynell was working at ABCI. In 2005(?) I moved from the west side of Abidjan to a neighborhood not far from George & Lynell's. There were times when we had the noon meal or dinner together in our homes or restaurants. And, as my interest in Moringa grew, Georges planted a Moringa shoot in the back yard of our Mission House, and it provided us with nutritious leaf sauce and tea for years. In March 2010, 4 of us missionaries in Abidjan: Lynell, Cindy, [a senior moment; I'm sorry I forgot who the 3rd sister was], and I, went by Cindy's car to THRUST's women's retreat in Elmina, Ghana in March 2010. That time refreshed and revived us individually, and the travel to and from Ghana drew us closer to each other. Near the end of August, 2011, I moved from Abidjan to my present home and work at WEC Intl's USA base north of Philadelphia, PA. Lynell & Georges were able to attend a "going-away" gathering I hosted (photo attached) before my departure. When I went through circumstantial depression after I moved from Cote d'Ivoire [I regret having made the decision to leave my African "family" and home.], Lynell was one who encouraged me through my grieving. Lynell had work-related meetings in Philadelphia in Sep 2012. My colleagues Liz & Dan and I had the joy of Lynell's stay with us after her meetings. I thank God for Lynell

It was a privilege to know, and be known, by Lynell. I will miss her kind and compassionate spirit, and her beautiful smile. Some of the last words she shared with our support group were that she had been blessed with a wonderful life. She, too, was a blessing. Continued prayers for the family, and for all who knew and loved her.

She is with the Lord now. Make sure you get there to. Joy and blessings she would want us to have.

I lived Lynell for her dedication to Bible translation and to the people of go to war and for her empathy and caring of her friends I was in a Bible study with her for many years and Albi Jeanne, and I also knew her as a colleague in SSA it’s hard to believe that she’s gone, but her work and her memory will live on for so many years in what she’s written and what she’s done for people and for the language, groups of devoir and for the many life she’s touched and the translators that she’s in consult and consultants that she’s trained well done, good and faithful servant, and friend

With Immense Sorrow, I say goodbye for now to my beloved Mother, the best mother a daughter could ask for. I will miss her steadfast presence, support and comfort in my life. Love you forever Mom, Wané Jeanne.