Cecilia Petu

Cecilia Petu or Mrs. Ashon-Cudjiw, known affectionately as Auntie Ceci or Old Lady, 75, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa at Unity Point Hospital. Born on April 6, 1950, in Aboso, Ghana. Auntie Ceci lived a full life of profound love, dedication, and service to her family and community.

Auntie Ceci's heart was drawn to healing, leading her to train as a nurse at Cape Coast Nursing Training School in Ghana. For over 40 years, she combined medical expertise with deep compassion, earning recognition as one of the best nurses at Cape Coast Central Hospital before retiring in 2010. Even in later years, former patients traveled far to thank her for the care that changed their lives. Never one to stop serving, she opened an over-the-counter chemical shop in Teterkesim, providing essential medicines and heartfelt advice. Her nurturing spirit extended beyond her profession, touching everyone around her.

Old Lady was crowned Queen Mother for the Anona Royal Family from the lineage of Nana Tekyi Mensah in Elmina, Ghana on July 1st 2023. Following the tradition of strong women ancestors before her, she embraced her role as matriarch with both grace and unwavering strength. Like the queen mothers of generations past, she worked hard to create opportunities for members of her royal lineage, while her wisdom fostered unity and kept the family connected.

A devoted Catholic, Auntie Ceci was a member of St. Joseph's Minor Basilica in Elmina, Ghana, where her faith shaped her life with honesty, fairness, and humility. She served with love in Mbaa Ku (Women's Fellowship) and Akoma Konkron (Sacred Heart), dedicating herself to God and her community. Through her unwavering faith and kindness, she uplifted those around her.

Old lady's greatest joy was being surrounded by family and friends. She cherished moments spent cooking, telling funny stories, and lighting up rooms with proverbs that brought everyone together. Whether traveling between her second home in Iowa and visiting loved ones in Texas, California, or Oregon, or sharing laughter in Ghana with friends and family, her presence was the center that held folks together. She created a uniquely international family legacy, weaving together the warmth of Ghana with the new connections she formed in Iowa, showing that family bonds could stretch across oceans without breaking. Auntie Ceci had an ability to connect with people of all walks of life. Her presence was a source of warmth, truth and happiness.

Our Old Lady leaves behind a legacy of love spread through generations. Her beloved husband John Ashon-Cudjiw remains her faithful companion even now.

The legacy of her wisdom and strength lives on in her children Andrews Emunah (wife Victoria), Justice Emunah (Brianne), Frank Emunah, Isaac Emunah (Natalia), Josephine Emunah (Paul), Adelaide Emunah (Solomon), Ebenezer Emunah (Freda), who carry her spirit in everything they do.

Her heart expanded into a circle of love for her stepchildren Albert Emunah, Emmanuel Emunah, Julius Emunah, Stephen Emunah, Stephanie Emunah, Bernard Ashon-Cudjiw, Joan Ashon-Cudjiw; Gertrude Ashon-Cudjiw, whom she embraced and created bonds that transcended traditional family lines.

Her grandchildren Julian (wife Andrea), Justice (Dashia), Justice Jr (Skylar), Celia, Elizabeth, Joseph Ben, Joseph Ben Jr., Christian, Anastasya, Benny, Adjoa Atta, Chara, Kwame Petu, Solomon Jr., Benjamin were the lights of her life, each one cherished with a special kind of love only a grandmother can give.

And in her great-grandchildren Aurora, Ne'Avaa, and Amaya, she found endless joy and glimpses of immortality, watching her family tree blossom into its newest branches.

Though they miss her deeply, each family member carries a piece of her remarkable spirit forward.

Waiting to welcome her home are her parents, Mary Akumanyi and Kwame Petu, who instilled in her faith and strength. Her beloved daughter, Frances Emunah, whom she missed every day, now embraces her once more. She is also reunited with her siblings, Nana Ama, Kobinah Akomfi, and Nana Banyin, completing the family circle that began long ago.

Auntie Ceci's legacy is one of truth, love and resilience. She believed deeply in working hard for the future generations of her family while creating memories that would last a lifetime. Her beautiful spirit touched countless lives.

Auntie Ceci, our old lady, was truly "everyone's mother."

A farewell service will be held on March 14th from 12:00 NOON to 2:00 PM at Simplify Funeral Home located at 4821 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. Burial is at Elm Grove Cemetery at 6505 Indianola Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320. Celebration of life will follow immediately after the burial at The Croatian Slavic Center at 6575 Indianola Ave., Des Moines, IA 50320, by the burial grounds.

A funeral service will be held in Elmina, Ghana on the weekend of May 30th 2025.

Auntie Ceci will be remembered as a beacon of love who brought joy where she went. Her soul rests in peace and her memory brings love and comfort to all of us.