2021 -- H 6223

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LC002659

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF CECELIA MAKOR

PREMY

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Blazejewski, Biah, Williams, Ranglin-Vassell,
Fogarty, Donovan, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, and McGaw

     Date Introduced: April 13, 2021

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Cecelia Makor Premy was born in 1945 in Liberia to Suah and Nema

Makor. She later met Peace Corps volunteer Stan Premy and they were married in 1970; and

     WHEREAS, When Cecelia and her husband moved to Providence in 1971, she became

one of the first native Liberians to settle in the city. After establishing herself in Rhode Island, she

began the process of bringing her extended family members to the United States. She is widely

credited for being at least partly responsible for the large Liberian presence in Providence; and

     WHEREAS, Cecelia would make Rhode Island history once again when she opened the

first African restaurant in Providence, Cecelia’s West African Restaurant. She became an

institution in the city, introducing delectable Liberian cuisine and West African culture to many

within the metropolitan region. Cecelia’s was also the first establishment to host a Reggae night

in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Cecelia also had a long and distinguished career as an IPA at the John

Pastore Medical Center in Cranston, where she was beloved by her co-workers, superiors, and the

people she served. She was a tireless worker who made a positive difference in the lives of all the

people she encountered; and

     WHEREAS, Cecelia was an expert in African Traditional Dance and was awarded a

grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to teach African dance. After retiring in 2010, she started

the Makor Dancing Feet Culture Troop to introduce Liberian culture and dance to Rhode Island.

The Troop consisted of neighborhood children, including her nieces and nephews, and they had a

major impact on the local arts scene, performing at the Providence Performing Arts Center,

appearing at the International Day festivities at RISD and Brown University, performing for the

former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and even danced in a major motion picture

starring Wesley Snipes; and

     WHEREAS, Cecelia Makor Premy leaves behind her daughters, Mona and Marjay

Abourjeily, and sons, William, Nicolas and Michael Abourjeily, and Samuel Paye, her brother

Alfred Makor, sisters Lucelia Watler and Sarah Abourjeily. She was preceded in death by her

daughter Sylvia Premy, brothers Dolo Makor, John Makor, Frank Makor Sr., James Makor,

Francis Makor, Sr., Paye-Paye Makor, Cammue Bomono Makor, Benjamin Makor, Kollie Suah

Owah, Arthur Makor, and Paye Makor, and sisters Lorpu Menlikia-Makor, Nowai Koliwoe

Makor, Kebeh Monopeli Cooper, Gormah Makor, Torwon Labanue and Mai Makor Diggs. She

also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and

     WHEREAS, Cecelia was a gifted story-teller who loved to laugh, smile, wear bright

outfits, and make others happy. She was an adventurous world traveler who made friends across

the globe. Most importantly, she was devoted to her family and friends and will be long-

remembered for her many years of exemplary service to the community and those in need of

assistance; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses its deepest condolences to the Makor Premy Family on the passing of Cecelia Makor

Premy; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Alfred W. Makor, Lucelia Watler, Sarah

Abourjeily, Mona Abourjeily, Marjay Abourjeily, William Abourjeily, Nicolas Abourjeily,

Michael Abourjeily, and Samuel S. Paye.

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LC002659

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