Maureen-Julie Mankhwala Kampondeni

Maureen-Julie Mankhwala Kampondeni, aged 66, died peacefully at her home in Granger, Indiana, on Sunday, August 10, 2025, after a long and gallant bout with renal disease and the effects of a stroke. 

A native of Thyolo District in the Republic of Malawi, Maureen was born on July 10, 1959 at Malamulo Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Thyolo, Malawi to Luckwell Richard Mankhwala and Evelyn Tsoka, both of whom preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her husband, Benjamin Douglas Kampondeni; her twin sister, Jennifer; and her brothers, Ephraim, Clifford Chidengu, Dyson, and Tabu. She is survived by two daughters, TaMara (Scott) Correira and Mwayi-Wanu Kampondeni; two sons, Sean-Tsanzo Kampondeni and Chinsinsi Benjamin Kampondeni, a sister, Roselyn Mankhwala; as well as six grandchildren: Arabella, Gabriel, Jordan, Malakai, Eliana, and Silas.

Maureen earned her High School Diploma from Stella Maris Secondary School; Diploma in Secretarial Studies from Soche Technical College; and a Diploma in Theology and Missions from Wings of Eagles Bible College; all located in Blantyre, Malawi. However, Maureen’s greatest pursuit in life was her relationship with Jesus Christ. She trusted him, loved him, worshiped him, served him, and proclaimed him! Consequently, many people came to know Christ through her, some through her testimony, some through her way of life, and some through her self-less generosity to those in need, all of which she did consistently wherever she lived, whether inMalawi, Bahrain, or the United States. Throughout her journey of faith in Christ, she made sure to be part of a faith community, the Niles Malawian Seventh Day Adventist Church being the last that she belonged to, because she enjoyed studying God’s Word, singing hymns, and praying together with God’s people. 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 9am Eastern Time at First Presbyterian Church at 333 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, Indiana 46601, followed by a burial ceremony at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park at 375 W. Cleveland Rd, Granger, Indiana 46530. Meanwhile, friends and family in Malawi will gather on the same day at the Mankhwala Residence in Thyolo, Malawi, where the funeral service in the US will be live-streamed, starting at 3pm Central African Time. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Maureen’s honor to Love For Malawi (www.LoveForMalawi.org) or to Friends of Maureen (https://gofund.me/928e3c12), being the two charitable organizations formed in 2021 and 2023, respectively, to continue her legacy of giving, or to the Niles Malawian Seventh Day Adventist Church where she was a member (via Cash App: $michianamalawiSDA).