Obituary of Roman Deme Dugassa

Roman Dame Sakilu Dugassa passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2022, at 9:10 AM in her home, in Mississauga, surrounded by her loving family members. She was just 53 years old.  

Roman Dame, also known as Rome or Galatake to her close friends and loved ones. She was born to her father Dame Sakilu and her mother Sehee Wulatu on May 18th, 1968 in the Jaldu district of Oromia, in Ethiopia. She attended elementary school in Jaldu, where she led the girls volleyball team and played representing her school and district.   She then attended Kolfee Comprehensive Secondary School in Finfinne, or Addis Ababa. After completing high school, she enrolled at Winget College and receiving a diploma in Secretary Sciences. 

In 1991, she left Ethiopia to Nairobi, Kenya as a refugee. While in Kenya, she officially got engaged with her future husband, Begna Dugassa. During her time in Kenya, she was an active member among the Oromo refugees in the country and church choir. In 1993, she joined Begna in Canada, and in the same year  was married ceremonially in Toronto.

In Canada, while perusing her ESL school, she actively participated in the Oromo Church and led the church choir for many years.  After successfully completing her ESL class, she joined George Brown College in Toronto. Within her two years of studies, she successfully completed three diploma programs, Hotel Management, Culinary Management and Food and Beverage Management.  She worked in different capacities at the Hospital for Sick Children, Credit Valley Hospital, Sheraton Hotel and Toronto Pearson International Airport. In addition, to working in hospitality and tourism and health care industry, she developed her own personal digital business from the ground up.

A few years her family moved to Mississauga, she made Praise Cathedral Church her home church.  Roman was a devoted Christian. She drew from the biblical story of The Good Samaritan and the Oromo concepts of carrying for children and she founded a Orphanage  organization named SWDS. This acronym stands for her beautiful parents  Sehee Wulatu & Deme Sakilu. In 2018 and 2019, she travelled to Jaldu and provided school supplies and clothing to over 20 impoverished children.  In addition, she provided money for transportations for poor students who have difficulties traveling to study in University, providing them the means to attend school. If the brain cancer did not stop her she would have expand her support to the children and provided them breakfast.  

Roman was well connected with many people of different cultural groups in the world. She was  popular among Oromo refugees, spread all over the world. There were times when she receive calls from refugees at 2:00 AM and prayed for them and offered advice. She is known and respected for her deep devotion to her Christian faith. Most of her prayer notes says “Waqayyo biyya keenyaa miladhuu- please God turn your face and look at our country; dhigaa dhangala’u dhabi- stop the spilling of blood, himimman ummata keenyaa qorsii - wipe away tears from the eyes of our people. 

Roman is the biological mother of three beautiful children: her sons Ebbasa and Galaan, and her daughter Hiree.  She is also a supportive mother and primary care giver to over 20 impoverished children in Jaldu .  By her faith and by raising many children who would take over the projects, Roman won over death. Because in Oromo worldview, “one can win over death having/raising children.”

Capacity limits have been reduced by 50% for indoor funeral services and visitations. 

Restrictions that will remain in place are:

Masks and/or face coverings are required. 

Physical distancing of 2 metres (6 ft.) between people.

COVID signage will be present at the entrance and around the facility so that guests can self-assess.

Contact tracing will continue.

75 ppl maximum in the chapel.

50% capacity in viewing suites.

Important Note:  Cemetery can restrict capacity limits as they deem necessary.  They are permitted to be stricter with numbers and we must comply.