Simegnish Hunegnaw

Simegnish Hunegnaw lived a life that mattered.

Simegnish was born in Harer province in Ethiopia in 1943. While continuing her education in Asmara, she met Berhane Hunegnaw. They were soon married in a beautiful, elaborate ceremony. Not long after, they welcomed their first son, Samson, into their family.

While working at the Ethiopian Ministry of Customs, Berhane obtained a green card for permanent residency in the United States, and the young family made the bold move to New York City. Where Simegnish would attend NYU, raise their family, and build a better life. That kind of move takes courage. Real courage. The kind of courage that defines a life before most people even understand what sacrifice looks like.

After a few years, the family relocated to Brooklyn where David was born. For a time, they lived across Long Island, before making the move to Dayton, Ohio. Everywhere she lived, Simegnish brought the same things with her: intelligence, discipline, faith, warmth, and an ability to make people feel cared for.

Simegnish spent decades working at Wright State University in Computer Services, building a career through consistency, hard work, and quiet excellence. She was never interested in noise or attention. She just showed up, did the work, and did it well. That was her way.

But her real work, at least to those who knew her best, went far beyond a job title.

Simegnish spent years helping Ethiopian families in Dayton get settled, get stable, and get supported. Housing, financing, guidance, connection. Whatever needed to happen, she tried to help make it happen. She understood what it meant to start over in a new place, and she never forgot that. She didn’t just build a life for her family. She helped build a path for others too.

That same spirit helped lead to the creation of St. Gabriel Ethiopian Church, which has become an important spiritual and cultural home for so many people. That legacy means a lot because it says everything about who Simegnish was. She believed in faith. She believed in community.

She believed people should help each other.

And then there was her food.

Simeghnish could cook. Really cook. Ethiopian food made by her was not just food, it was love, pride, memory, and home all at once. And yes, she loved her injera. She loved it right up until her very last days. That detail says so much about her. Strong in who she was. Connected to where she came from. Fully herself until the end.

Simegnish was everyone’s Mom. A force. A steady one. A generous one. A woman who gave more than she ever asked for. A woman who helped build family, community, and belonging wherever she went. Simegnish Hunegnaw was deeply loved, and she will never be forgotten.

Simegnish was preceded in death by her husband, Berhane Hunegnaw, in 2014. She is survived by sons, Samson Hunegnaw and David (Cari) Hunegnaw; and sisters, Elenne (Tekeste) Abraham and Kongit Mosissa.

All are invited to gather on Sunday, May 10, at Debre Hail St. Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (300 Maryland Ave, Dayton, OH) beginning at 8:00am. Remebrances will be delivered from 9:00-10:00am, with funeral service from 10:00-11:00am. Immediately following the church service, mourners will travel in procession to Woodland Cemetery, where Simegnish will be laid to rest.

A memorial fund has been established in memory of Simegnish Hunegnaw to assist members of the church in times of need. This fund is meant to carry forward her spirit of compassion, generosity, and community by offering practical help to those facing difficult moments. Learn more or contribute to the memorial fund at www.simegnish.com