Sunday (12/06/2022) Indonesian diaspora communities from several states in America, such as Chicago, New Hampshire, New York, and others gathered to pay their last respects and pray together for the passing of Rev. Cootje Zakka Latuperissa in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia on May 21, 2022.
A joint prayer was held at Christian Life Church, 496 Kensington Rd, Berlin, Connecticut 06037. Present at the joint prayer were Father Donald Mawuntu, Treasurer of the GPDI Regional Assembly on the East Coast from New Hampshire, a colleague of Hanny Pongoh. Hanny is the Vice President of GPDI on the East Coast.
Rev.. Cootje Zakka is the biological mother of Debby Zakka or stephen Hanny Pongoh’s in-laws. Debby and Hanny Pongoh are a pair of diaspora activists in Connecticut, mainly to welcome Indonesian cultural performance events, such as the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, Christmas Together, and Halal Bihalal after Eid al-Fitr.
The joint prayer event was held face-to-face and online at the Christian Life Church in the city of Berlin, led directly by Father Rev. Scott Shemeth with a sermon that touched the hearts and minds of the audience, accompanied by several sacred songs, as an expression of prayer and love from the family and relatives of the sons and daughters of the Deceased, and was supplemented by the reading of the Rev’s curriculum vitae (obituary). Cootje Zakka Latuperissa by Stephen Hanny Pongoh, and closed with a banquet and set on the Indonesian plus American menu.
Deceased Rev. Cootje Zakka Latuperissa was born in Palopo, South Sulawesi and died at the age of 80 due to illness on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Bahtera Mas Hospital, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.
The deceased had studied and studied at Hasanuddin University makassar, was married by Rev. Steckman Zakka in 1964. Later, the pair of lovers of the religion migrated and lived forever in the city of Kendari, becoming servants and figures of the Christian religion. The deceased had three children, and seven grandchildren.
Debby Zakka-Pongoh, the second daughter of the Deceased, expressed her deep sorrow for her beloved mother: “Mama or Oma is our example, her children and grandchildren, almost her entire life is devoted to educating children, studying, being active in the organization of the Communion of the Church, and helping her husband serve the Congregation in the Pentecostal Church of Kendari.
We’re sure Mama or Oma is back in God’s lap, getting an airy, light-filled, fragrant place there.” Amen.
