Lufuno Maumela Tshikororo, 35, of 13 Sydney Drive, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 1998, in a car accident in Pietersburg, South Africa.
She was born April 22, 1963, in Sibasa, South Africa, the daughter of Bernard and Rebecca (Mokgakane) Maumela, who survive her in Sibasa. She is also survived by her husband, Mawela and her daughter, Thendo Lufuno, both of Essex Junction, and a special niece, Mpho Maumela of Sibasa, who lived with her aunt, uncle and cousin in Vermont for several years.
Additional survivors include her brother Tshifhiwa, his wife Modie, and their three children (including Mpho) of Sibasa, and her brother Hullsani and his wife Takalni of Johnannesburg, South Africa.
A member of the Lutheran Church in South Africa, Lufuno attended the Maranatha Christian Church in Williston.
Lufuno earned Bachelor´s degrees at the University of Fort Hare (1984) and the University of Venda (1986) and subsequently taught at the University of Venda and Vista University, all in South Africa. In August 1990, she came to Vermont to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Vermont (UVM) under the auspices of a United States Agency for International Development-sponsored program and was joined her by her husband and daughter shortly thereafter.
Lufuno earned a Master of Public Administration and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in psychology degrees from UVM in 1992, 1993, and 1994, respectively. Following receipt of her doctoral degree, she held positions at UVM in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the President´s Office and, most recently, the Continuing Education Division where Lufuno was the Academic Programs manager. She also taught courses at Trinity College.
Lufuno gave the world many gifts - most especially love, courage, and granite-solid determination to make it a better place for all.