Date of Birth: April 20th, 1928
Date of Death: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
Parents: Fitzherbert Lashley (RIP) and Iris Lashley (nee Harvey) (RIP)
Husband: George Robert Wilson Onaba
Date Married: June 14th, 1958
Siblings: Lisle, Lance, Lynnette, Lurlynn, Lyris, Leroy, and Laurice
Children: Garvin, Wayne, George (RIP), and Sylvan
Grandchildren: Nicholas (RIP), Adrian, Elijah, and Elliana
Great-grandchildren: Kendon and Zeus
School/Universities attended:
Bishops Anstey High School, Trinidad & Tobago, circa 1935 to 1945
Work History
Imperial Tropical College of Agriculture (now the University of the West Indies), St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago (circa 1957/58)
Local Government (Soroti, 1962)
Interests and favorite Hobbies
- Church (All Saints Church)
- Horticulture
- Volunteering
- Sewing
- Baking
- Collecting spoons and stamps
TIMELINE: LURLYNN PHYLLIS “DO IT NOW” ONABA
Lurlynn Phyllis Onaba was born Lurlynn Phyllis Lashley on April 20, 1928, in Belmont, Trinidad and Tobago, to Fitzherbert and Iris Lashley (née Harvey), and was the fourth of seven children, all of whom are deceased.
1928-58: Trinidad and Tobago, the beginning.
Life in Trinidad and Tobago was happy and full of joy, smiles, and laughter. Lurlynn went to nursery, primary, and secondary school, played cricket (a bit of a tomboy), enjoyed family and friend outings to the beach, and played netball for the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
In later years (1958 to be exact), whilst working at the Imperial College of Agriculture, she met one George Robert Wilson Onaba from Uganda. They got married on June 14th, 1958, and set sail for Uganda via the United Kingdom.
She and George welcomed four sons into the world: Garvin (1959), Wayne (1961), George (1963 [RIP]), and Sylvan (1965).
1958-71: Uganda, the early years.
Upon arriving in Uganda, Lurlynn joined the All Saints Church, where she sang in the choir (regular and senior) well into her 80s. All Saints Church was her spiritual home, the foundation of her life in Uganda, the source of all her deep and loving friendships. Here, she met Camille Aliker and Esther Kalimuzo very early on (1959/1960), later, Freda Rutega, Ida Wanandeya, and Adelina Lubogo (RIP). The friendship and closeness they developed up until her death defied normal convention, so deep and thick. Other similar friendships developed over the years; these two were the rock, the foundation.
As an agricultural officer, husband George moved around a lot – Masaka, Soroti, Serere, and Entebbe. Whilst in Soroti working for the District Commissioner, Lurlynn was instrumental in raising the Uganda flag at midnight on October 8th, 1962, ushering in Uganda’s independence.
Lurlynn was a horticulturalist, loved flowers, cross-bred roses, the African Violet was one of her favourites, loved orchids, and participated in horticultural shows at Lugogo Stadium. Lurlynn was also passionate about charity work, particularly the plight of abandoned children. She volunteered at Sanyu Babies Home and counseled the terminally ill. Took her children to school, picked them up. Her lavender Anglia was legendary. She had a signature horn sequence to let them know she had arrived for pickup.
1978-95: Life as an expat.
In 1978, due to the unsettling situation in Uganda, Lurlynn and George left Uganda and began life as expatriates in Washington, DC, USA, where husband George had gotten a job with the World Bank. The two years in Washington, DC were quite challenging, but in true Lurlynn style, she made the most of it – church, new friends (the Zegges), old friends (the Bigirwenkyas and the Nkojos), her trademark smile, and a magnetic, approachable personality, making it easy for her to navigate any and all the challenges that came her way. “Can’t” was not a word that existed in her vocabulary; there was always a way, just try harder, one more time, keep pushing, moving forward. Always had a story to tell, a laugh to share.
In 1980, husband George went to work for the Food and Agriculture Organization (United Nations) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Same formula, made friends and connected easily, life was good, manageable. Sons George and Sylvan went with them; Garvin and Wayne remained in Virginia, USA.
In 1981, husband George went to work for the African Development Bank in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast. Same formula for success. Lurlynn and George spent x years in Abidjan before being posted to Harare, Zimbabwe (still with the African Development Bank). Same formula for success, but much richer and deeper than in Addis and Abidjan, stories of care, interest, concern, assistance abound.
In 1984, Lurlynn and George, still with the African Development Bank, were posted to Harare, Zimbabwe, where they “officially retired” in 1990, but remained until 1995. In 1990, Uganda was still an unsafe, unstable country. Returning home immediately was not the wisest choice – political unrest, violence, multiple governments, the Luweero “Bush War,” and economic devastation.
1995-2025: Resettling in Uganda.
Taking a bold step, a new phase, a life twist, Lurlynn and George returned to Uganda. This phase was a reconnection, a full circle change. Lurlynn reconnected with All Saints Church, her old friends, and making new friends. The success formula was very much in play and more powerful, more magnetic than ever. Husband George was just along for the ride.
Soon after returning to Uganda, Lurlynn joined the International Women’s Organisation (IWO), a significant event for women (and their families) adjusting to life in Uganda. Lurlynn was there to assist, making life easier, more enjoyable, and fulfilling. She also joined the Gardening Club, she so loved her flowers.
Over time, as the years advanced, Lurlynn sang for the Senior Choir of All Saints Church as well as participating in its Senior Fellowship. Her love for God and fellowship was so strong.
In 2018, Lurlynn was appointed a Lay Canon with All Saints Church, marking the pinnacle of her spiritual career. Lurlynn was honoured to serve God.
Life Philosophy:
“Do It Now.” Why put off for tomorrow what you can do today? (She could be intense sometimes; a sense of urgency.)
Keep moving, do(ing) something, no time to sit.
“Talk to people, you never know.”
Keep trying, no such word as “can’t.”
Care, concern for others – check on people.
Not crying over spilled milk.
“Please” and “Thank You.”
Hobbies:
- Baking (famous for her banana bread and wedding cakes – was flown to Tanzania and Guyana to make wedding cakes for close family friends).
- Horticulture (she loved her flowers, the African Violet, orchids in particular)
- Spoon collection (over 300 spoons; featured in a newspaper article)
- Stamp collection
- Sewing (a teacher to many)
Intense likes:
- Pepper sauce – it was pepper sauce and something
- Loved her glass of wine at the end of the day
- Sweet tooth – ice cream, cake, Snickers, mints
- Oxtail
- Cashew nuts
- Khevda – mixed, spicy nuts
- Crackers and cheese – Monacos
There will be a Funeral Service at All Saints Cathedral- Nakasero on Friday, 19th September 2025 starting at 09:00am.
There will be another vigil at their ancestral home in Omatakiria on Saturday, 20th September 2025.
Burial will take place at their ancestral home in Omatakiria on Sunday, 21st September 2025 at 10:00am.
Informed are; Relatives, Friends and In-laws.
MAY HER SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
In Lieu of Wreaths, the Family requests that you make contributions to Sanyu Babies Home whose cause she was most passionate about.
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