Lovingly known as “Sister Mary”
30 March 1955 — 23 August 2023 · aged 68
Kenyatta National Hospital nurse who held the hands of thousands on the night shift
Nairobi, Kenya Born in Kathiani, Machakos County Resting at Family farm, KangundoIt is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Sister MARY NDUKU MUTISO, retired Night Sister at Kenyatta National Hospital, on 23rd August 2023 at Nairobi Hospital. Wife of Lt. Col. (Rtd) Daniel Muthama Mutiso; mother to Kyalo, Ndinda and Mwende; mother-in-law to Winnie and Joseph; grandmother to eight. Family and friends meet daily at the family home in Kangundo at 5.00 pm. Cortege leaves Lee Funeral Home on Friday 1st September at 7.00 am for a funeral service at AIC Kangundo Church, followed by burial at the family farm. M-Pesa Paybill 370455, Account MARY. Rest in peace, Sister.
The night shift at Kenyatta National Hospital begins at eight and ends at seven, and for thirty-two years Sister Mary Nduku Mutiso made it feel shorter for everyone around her. She carried a small flask of warm porridge for patients who could not sleep, learnt the name of every relative in the corridor, and had a way of laying her hand on a frightened forehead that doctors claimed worked better than any sedative.
She was born in Kathiani in March 1955 and trained as a nurse at Machakos School of Nursing before joining KNH in 1978. She worked in the surgical and burns wards, and later as night sister in charge of the paediatric ward. Colleagues remember her calm during emergencies, her insistence on handwashing long before anyone made it fashionable, and the way she taught junior nurses to say goodnight to each patient by name.
In 1978 she married Daniel Muthama Mutiso, a young army officer, and for forty-five years she ran a household that moved between barracks and Nairobi estates with the same efficiency she brought to her ward. She raised three children, welcomed dozens of relatives in need of a bed, and still found time to sing alto in the AIC Kangundo choir each December when the family returned home.
After retiring in 2010 she moved to the family farm in Kangundo and set up a small free clinic on the veranda for neighbours who could not travel to Machakos. She also grew the finest sukuma wiki in the village and mentored three young nurses from the area. After a long illness borne with remarkable grace, she died at Nairobi Hospital on 23 August 2023.
She is survived by her husband Daniel, their children Kyalo, Ndinda and Mwende, and eight grandchildren.
“Say goodnight to every patient by name.”
Friday, 1 September 2023 at 07:00 UTC
Add to calendarComing together to honour Mary and support the family.
Funeral arrangements and the annual remembrance at the family farm.
Annual remembrance gathering at the Kangundo farm each August
Contact: Ndinda Mutiso Mwangangi
$0 raised through this committee
No fundraising target set.
Colleagues who contributed to the family and a bursary for nursing students in her name.
Paediatric ward, KNH, last Friday of each month
Contact: Dr. Lucy Wambui Kamau
$0 raised of $1,162.79
Choir, catering and fellowship during the mourning period.
Church hall, Wednesdays 2.00 pm
Contact: Mama Rhoda Mwikali
$0 raised of $465.12
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Certificate in Nursing
Machakos School of Nursing1974 – 1977 · Machakos
Qualified as an Enrolled Nurse.
Nurse, later Night Sister, Paediatric Ward
Kenyatta National Hospital1978 – 2010 · Nairobi
Served thirty-two years in surgical, burns and paediatric wards.
Married Daniel Muthama Mutiso
1978 – 2023 · Machakos
A marriage of forty-five years.
Veranda clinic founder
Kangundo Community2011 – 2023 · Kangundo
Offered free first aid and health advice to neighbours.
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Also remembered on Evermore
Mary is survived by
5 people have shared a memory of Mary.
Knew Mary? Share a memory with the family and everyone who loved them.
Sign in to write a tributeNeighbour, Kangundo
She treated my wife's fever on that veranda at midnight and refused a thank-you. We have named our daughter Mary after her. May the Lord reward her many kindnesses.
Former junior nurse, now in Manchester
She taught me to say goodnight to patients by name. I now work in a hospital in Manchester and say it every night in my own language. It makes frightened people smile.
Husband
In forty-five years she ironed my uniform every morning and never complained about the postings. She was my commanding officer in everything that mattered. I will see you soon, Mary.
AIC Kangundo
Her alto line held the whole Kangundo choir together. She also ran a clinic on her veranda for years and charged nothing. We have lost a nurse, a singer and a saint.
Paediatric consultant, Kenyatta National Hospital
Sister Mary taught me, a young intern, to kneel by a child's bed before I examined them. She said fear should never look down at a patient. I still kneel. Thank you, Sister.
