Tributes to Anita
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Jakob Kern
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Anita was a mentor and inspiration to so many, including myself. She always said she would one day write a book with all the letters and e-mails I sent to family and friends from places like North Korea or Syria where I worked and lived. She responded to every single one and was usually the first, commented on my stories, encouraged me to write more and always asked excellent questions,
showing her ability to put events into the larger global context and reading it with her publisher eye. Her sharp mind, her excellent political knowledge and her deep care for everything humanitarian was a true inspiration for me to continue those blogs, and I found in her my most loyal reader and critic. Anita never managed to write that book, but when I eventually will do it, she will be my inspiration and my silent mentor. As she has been and will be for so many of us. May she rest in peace. Jakob Kern Son-in-law
John William Johnson
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This remembrance has been one of the hardest things I have ever written, which accounts for its lateness. I am 78 years old, and I first met Anita when she was the principal of the American embassy elementary school in Mogadishu in 1966: more than half my life ago.
She was one of the dearest and closest friends I have ever had, and I miss her very much indeed. She is a candle burning in my heart, a candle which will never burn out.
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Anita was, first of all, a close and caring friend, but she was also my academic colleague, and my publisher (Haan Pub). I was privileged to read her dissertation in progress, part of her requirements for her PhD. at the University of London (S.O.A.S.). We frequently met at conferences in various American and European countries. She came here to Bloomington, Indiana, for the opening of the Somali art show, Somalia in Word and Image in 1981. She once conscripted me into becoming the subscription representative for American members of the Anglo-Somali Society. I remember visiting her a number of times in her home in London and later in “Hove Actually,” as she referred to it.
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We had frequent SKYPE conversations about Somalia, her handsome family, and whatever else might came up. I remember having dinner one night with her and her son, and visiting her when her family was in Britain. I remember one night having dinner in a restaurant with John Drysdale, and at another wonderful time in one of her favorite restaurants in the City London near St. Paul’s Cathedral. So many memories!
I remember one day reading her blog and realized that we had something in common we had not known about for all those years we had known each other. During World War II, my father was captured by the Japanese on the island of Java, four days before my birth in 1942. He spent the entire war as a captive, working on the Rail Road of Death between Siam (Thailand) and Burma (Myanmar). Turns out, Anita’s brother was also captured by the Japanese and experience the same fate on the railroad where it is said for every trestle on the line, a captive died.
Finally, I remember the journey that was not to be. In 2019 she was to go with me and my wife to visit Glengarry in Scotland, the ancient home of my Scottish ancestor David MacDonnell. But she died before we could make the visit. Anita was like a sister to me, and I miss her so very much.
Rest in Peace, dear and wonderful friend!
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Photo 1981 Elisabeth Johnson and son George with Anita and Bertha
Nuredin Hagi
The Banaadiri people owe much, very much to this careful and passionate scholar of their history.
Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamoud Adam
RIP Mrs Anita mother of my cousins and wife of dear uncle Suleiman Mohamoud Adam
David
Missing you GRANDMA...Thank you for teaching me how to dance
Virginia Jama
To Anita, my legendary friend a source of knowledge and strength shared and valued by many. I met her in 1967 in Mogadishu where she shone, learned and shared with everyone that she met. Her experiences are now written in her publications and her legend will live forever.
Valerie
To Anita a formidable academic and intellectual of great recognition. Proud of her family.
Anita and I were of the same mind a day without politics is a day without purpose!
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Her optimistic and lively view on life was infectious, she was a woman who did not easily fit any stereotype. Anita lived her last days as she had lived her life- with affection and curiosity.
I do miss her and am proud to call her a friend. Best, Valerie
Ingeborg Vardøen
Hardly a day goes by without my thinking of her.
What brought us together was our connection to Somalia and her knowledge on the subject was always shared.
Anita was important to so many people, and she will be missed by many. Although our friendship was relatively short her departure has left a gap in my life.
Bless you, Anita, and thank you, I miss you, we all do!
Pippa, Freddie and Romilly
Fiona Howard
Anita was my neighbour and a wonderful friend, and we would often spend a happy while chatting. After our frequent travels we both cherished a big hug on our return.
Anita was always welcome in our home and my boys were very fond of her. She had a lovely gentle and inclusive nature and fitted in with every generation, interested in who everyone was.
This is a drawing my son Eddie did of her. I was very lucky to have Anita as my neighbour and I miss her in so many ways. Fiona x
Sara Adam
I miss saying “Mum” out loud,
I miss talking to you,
I miss the sound of your voice,
I miss your warm tight hugs,
I miss your presence and guidance to follow my dreams,
I miss your moral compass,
I miss your spirit for life, politics and justice,
I miss my role model and North Star,
I miss saying “love you Mum” and you saying “love you too Sara”
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Zeinab Adam
My mother was special
My mother's love was unconditional
She was the person I went to for advice and guidance
She was the person who knew when to comfort me without being asked
She was the person that encouraged me to discover art
She was always there for me
She was a second mother to my children
She inspired my passion in politics
She was my role model for advancing and upholding women’s rights
I can hear her say ‘life is what you make
of it’
I miss her bundles, though I am contented that she is always by my side.
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Love you mum
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Pauline Raymond
Roberta
I met Anita in the ‘80s and became part of the family for 16 years and friends for life. I liked her from the first meeting, her rectitude and uncompromising ideas and stands. She inspired me and I learned valued lessons from her. We shared intimate moments of fun as well as serious events. I was with Anita helping to set up a home office when New York’s Twin Towers were hit on Sept. 11 2001, an emotional experience where we felt a strong connection both being alone at that moment away from our own families. We shared a passion for the arts and the rights of human justice. In recent years I had lost contact somehow but her legacy and influence will remain with me forever. Thank you with love Roberta Colombo
Ian Hodgson
