[col. writ. 10/9/11] ©'11 Mumia Abu-Jamal She was born Aug. 25, 1947, a daughter of a Southerner, but a Philadelphian to her bones. Born into a family of all brothers toughened her, as demonstrated in her teen years, when I saw her knock a boyfriend over a metal railing. He seemed more shocked than hurt (but it's possible he hid his pain to protect his male ego). Back then, she was called 'Penny' for her dark, coppery skin, and her bright, dazzling smile. She was a dancer of modern dance, and of course boogied under the influence of The Rhythm n' Blues era which featured acts like the Supremes, the Temptations and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. She was a good student, and while a young woman she earned her rating to become a registered nurse. She became the mother of Vernon and Jabari. In 1996 she met and married noted Black nationalist scholar, author and Reverend, Ishakamusa Barashango, who introduced her to a world of new knowledge on a wealth of subjects. She helped him run The Temple of The Black Messiah, a spiritual home for a growing Black Nationalist community in Philadelphia. She worked as a youth counselor and ran a Rites of Passage program for young, troubled Black girls. She loved her People, her children and grandchildren, and her brothers. Lydia Umyeml Barashango succumbed to breast cancer just days after her 64th birthday. She will be lovingly remembered forever, not only by this brother, but by many other brothers-and sisters. (c) '11 maj Lydia Barashango Reception October 22 noon to 4pm.H and H Catering 2036 E. Haines StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19138(215) 424-2703 Lydia Barashango, 64; nurse, sister of Mumia Abu Jamal Lydia Barashango, 64, a nurse and social worker who was the sister of Mumia Abu Jamal, died Wednesday, Sept. 29, in Maryland after a long battle with breast cancer. Mrs. Barashango was a strong defender of her younger brother, Mumia Abu-Jamal, 57. The former Philadelphia radio reporter and Black Panther who was born, Wesley Cook, was convicted and sentenced to death by a jury in 1982 for the 1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. On Dec. 9, 1981, Officer Faulkner was conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle belonging to William Cook, Abu-Jamal's younger brother. During the traffic stop, Abu-Jamal's taxi was parked across the street. Shots were fired and both Abu-Jamal and Faulkner were wounded. Faulkner died. Police arrived on the scene and arrested Abu-Jamal, who was found with a shoulder holster, a revolver and spent cartridges in his revolver. He was later charged with first degree murder. Supporters and opponents disagree on the appropriateness of the death penalty, whether Abu-Jamal was guilty or whether he received a fair trial. Mrs. Barashango was interviewed in 2000 for an A&E documentary about the case. She said the day after the shooting she didn't recognize Abu-Jamal at the hospital because he had been "brutalized" by police. When she him if he was all right, he told her, "I'm innocent. I'm innocent." In 1999, Mrs. Barashango participated in a march around City Hall in Philadelphia with 10,000 of her brother's supporters, many waving "Free Mumia" signs. She told the crowd, "This rally takes our struggle to a whole new level." We aren't playing anymore. We are demanding a new trial." Mrs. Barashango was married to Ishakamusa Barashango, a minister and African American scholar. He died in 2004. According to friends, she had recently been living in Baltimore. Arrangements for services in Baltimore and Philadelphia are pending. Send our brotha some LOVE and LIGHT at:Mumia Abu-JamalAM 8335 SCI-Greene 175 Progress DriveWaynesburg, PA 15370