Tajia Namyalo Mulindwa
August 24, 2002–January 18, 2022
It is with a heavy heart that the family announces the sudden passing of Tajia Mulindwa (pronounced "Tay-ja") in Ottawa. She was 19 years old.
Tajia is survived by her biological mother Erica Roach, her father Tim Mulindwa, her sister Acacia, her half-brothers Samuel and Olivier, as well as her stepmother Sara and her family. She also leaves behind several half-siblings on her mother's side, and grieving grandparents from both her biological and blended families.
Born in Ottawa, Tajia was a ray of sunshine who brought an abundance of joy to her parents, extended family and friends despite her short life. She was a recent graduate of l’École secondaire publique De La Salle in Ottawa (2020), where she was an accomplished touch football and basketball player, having competed on the senior girls’ touch football and basketball teams.
For six years, Tajia was also a proud and active member of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets in Ottawa (RCSCC Falkland), where she attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer 2nd class(CPO 2). She especially enjoyed cadet summer training during which time she worked as a staff cadet. Prior to that, she was a member of the Navy League of Canada for two years. Tajia had made a name for herself with her dedication and smiling personality, both within these organizations and with her employers. In fact, one of her employers awarded her in 2019 with "Best Customer Service" for her smile and polite disposition with customers.
Tajia, whose laugh was infectious, adored children and was an amazing big sister who loved to have fun with her sister Acacia and half-brothers Samuel and Olivier. A people person, Tajia loved to laugh and was well liked by her friends and peers who appreciated her listening skills and unconditional support. She dreamed of becoming famous and of being able to help and bring joy to people. Her friends will remember her as a loving and caring young woman.
For the past two years, Tajia had been dealing with mental illness with bravery and courage. This finally led her to take her own life just as it was beginning. Her devastated family members hold her dear in their hearts and hope that she rests in peace, far from what troubled her. The sorrow of her loved ones is matched only by the joy she brought to all those who had the good fortune of knowing her.
A celebration of Tajia’s life will be organized by her father, sister and stepmother this summer in Ottawa. In honour of beautiful Tajia’s memory, the family requests that any charitable donations be made to your favourite organizations.
If you or someone you know is in distress please call Crisis Services Canada @ 1-833-454-4566. Quebec residents can call 1-866-277-3553.
Je tiens à exprimer mes plus profondes et sincères condoléances à la famille Mulindwa durant cette période très difficile. Taija était un cadet exceptionnel avec un grand potentiel. Elle était devenue une gentille jeune femme avec une personnalité sociable et était une inspiration pour ses camarades. Elle nous manquera beaucoup.
Robert Lafrance
Ancien commandant
Corps des cadets de la Marine royale canadienne Falkland
Nos très sincères condoléances. Nous avons connu Tajia à Francojeunesse; elle était vite devenue une bonne amie de ma fille Isabelle. Tajia était toujours souriante et heureuse, et je garderai toujours un souvenir d'elle en train de rigoler sur le banc arrière de ma voiture avec ses amies.
J'aimerais vous offrir mes sincères condoléances autant à la belle-famille de Julie Mulindwa et à son mari, sa belle-mère, Sara Grenier et aux parents, ainsi qu'à la soeur, aux demi-frères de Tajia Mulindwa et aux familles.
I want to give my sincere condolences to the whole family.I remember signing up for cadets when I was 8 years old and tajia being there And us getting excited because are birthdays are a day apart. She was always smiling and giving her whole self to everything she did. To Tajia you will be missed and will always be loved.
Je vous porte dans mon coeur et dans mes pensées et vous offre mes plus sincères condoléances. C'est inconcevable de penser que ce beau sourire et cette chaleur humaine qui caractérisaient Tajia cachaient aussi un profond mal. Repose en paix chère Tajia et veille sur ta famille et tes amis.
Please accept my deepest condolences. I was a lucky person to have the opportunity to coach Tajia at the shooting stars. Tajia’a wonderful smile will always stay with me. Tajia was a beautiful person who I am grateful her path crossed mine. My you be at peace and watch over Acaia.
Please accept my deepest condolences at your loss. I met Tajia when I was volunteering as the Trainer for the Shooting Stars, and she would sometimes come to the practices to play basketball with her sister Acacia, my daughter Natasha, and the rest of the team. Like her sister she is a beautiful young woman with a beautiful smile, who was always so kind, friendly, and polite. It was obvious that both of the sisters were very well brought up. I hope that you will be able to take some comfort from your happy memories, and from the sincere wishes of the many people whose lives Tajia touched.
Acceptez notre sympathie, nous sommes de tout cœur avec vous. Cette maladie est ingrate, elle a injustement précipité le départ de Tajia et a emporté son brillant avenir. J'aimerais pouvoir apaiser votre douleur. Gros câlins a chacun d'entre vous, soyez forts et courageux ❤
I can hardly define the emotions and feelings that run through my head in these moments. I also can’t come close to imagining how this must feel for you guys (her family). However, all that I can now do is offer my deepest and most sincere condolences, and make myself available if I can be of any help whatever it may be. I send out my prayers to you all and wish you the best in this period of healing. May Tajia Rest In Peace and may God bless you all.
-Josias
My most heart felt condolences to you and everyone around you. I can only hope that you can get some comfort from each other and knowing that her memory will live on for generations to come.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love always
A donation was made in Tajia’s memory at the Youth Mental Health Canada to their Make Hope Happen program.
Dear Tajia, i find it very heartbreaking that you have left us without saying any goodbyes especially without any reconciliation between me and you although we had an dispute that never stopped me from seeing how good of a person you are and didn’t stop me from cheering for you when i saw you succeed or pursuing your passions ❤️ you always talked about how you wanted to have an impact in the world well you did had an amazing impact because although you left us your smile , joy, kindness is still present. I’m so grateful to have known you. You will stay in our prayers and before anything i just wanna say i sincerely apologize for anything that i had caused and happened between us . ❤️
Mes très sincère plus grande condoléances pour vous! J’ai connu Tajia depuis une très jeune âge et j’ai été tellement chanceuse d’être meilleure amie avec elle pendant plusieurs année. Tajia étais une personne tellement fidèle, sont sourire et même sont rire reste toujours en moi. Sa personnalité extraordinaire me marque pour tous mes jours! Tellement de mémoires avec elle. J’espère que vous trouverez du joie à travers ce mal incroyable…. LLTNM
Tajia, in high school you were my only friend, my best friend for dayssss! I want to thank you kindly for everything you’ve done for me and for the world. Your presence has marked many many people ❤️. You were the most kindest, most bravest, most loyal, most funny, most realist, most honest, most lovable person on this earth✨ May you watch over the ones who loved you as well as your family, may you guide us, may you give us motivation
It is with such a heavy heart and sadness that I must share in the grief of the loss of a beautiful young girl.
TAJIA and her sister Acacia, are my very first two granddaughters.
It is extremely difficult to find words after this tragic loss.
My thoughts are with everyone whose lives she touched.
Rest in eternal peace. ❤️
Fran Vandenberg
Gibsons, B.C.
Our dear sweet granddaughter Tajia has passed away and the only way we can deal with this loss is to think of a beautiful white rose because white roses represent purity, innocence, and youthfulness which is what we think of when remembering her.
We believe that grieving is symbolic of celebrating the life that they lived, and sharing the hope that they will step into something greater that is beyond the physical realm. This life is just one small stepping stone on a greater journey.
May her journey be a peaceful one that is filled with happiness and love.
Forever in our hearts!
Grandma and Grandpa
Our deepest condolences to you all. Tajia was a beautiful young lady, inside and out. It is difficult to find the words to express what a loss this is. Tajia will be remembered forever for her laughter and fun spirit. Please find comfort in each other, your family and your friends, and never hesitate to ask for help. Rest in peace Tajia!
Mes condoléances à toute la famille Mulindwa.
Elle était une jeune très sociable et toujours souriante. Repose en paix
Nous vous envoyons nos sincères condoléances, ma famille et moi.
Nous partageons votre douleur pour la perte soudaine de votre fille, et sœur.
Repose en paix , Tajia.
Tim and family,
My family and I stand with you in this difficult time as you try to process what happened. We send you our love and our support.
Know that you can count on us (just like the rest of your friends and family) for anything you need.
We believe in the saying “love conquers all” and I do feel that with time the love that still surrounds you will help you heal.
Dear Tim, chères Sara et Acacia, chers Samuel et Olivier,
Danielle et moi aimerions vous offrir nos plus grandes et plus sincères condoléances. On pense à vous pendant ces moments de difficultés inimaginables.
For us, Tajia was a member of our family. We remember the fun we had playing video games and board games with Tajia and Acacia during our Sunday night dinners while we lived in Ottawa as you all so selflessly accepted us into your family. Tajia was our niece and we loved her.
We hope that the many, many good moments, fun times and joyful memories shared with such a wonderful young woman bring a small amount of peace for you all.
Tajia, we can safely say after hearing so many heartwarming testimonials that you were a ray of sunshine that brightened up everyone’s day. We always looked forward to family gatherings to get the chance to check in and hear what you were up to. It truly was a pleasure to see you grow into such a fun-loving person. We hope that you have found peace.
On vous aime fort.
Sorry to know and learn of this! Extremely devastating , mat the good Lord comfort you all and stre g then you ! May your soul rip and spirit be in eternity.
Not a day goes by I don’t think of you , I was lucky to be by your side for the past 10 years, I’ll remember our time in the cadet programs together -// we will always be the iconic po duo , Rest In Peace my love
Just received this link and wanted to express once again my deep sympathy for your sad loss.
