Bintu Kandeh

A cherished wife, adored mother, and valued friend, Bintu Kandeh passed away on September 3, 2023 at 60 years old in Delaware, OH. Bintu’s faith in God, deep and infinite love for her husband Mohamed Kandeh and their three children, and compassion, kindness, and service to others has left an impression on the hearts and minds of all that have been blessed to know and experience her.

Bintu was born on Sunday, March 17, 1963 in Bo, Sierra Leone, West Africa to the late Haja Jenebu Sillah and the late Alhaji Mohamed Sillah. She enjoyed spending time with her family and soon arose as the natural peacemaker led by her kind and gentle spirit and ability to make people smile and be at ease.

Studious and conscientious from her youth, Bintu excelled in school attending Queen of the Rosary School for Girls and the Freetown Secondary School for Girls. Ambitious, determined, and detail oriented, after immigrating to the United States and early experiences working in banking, Bintu pursued and earned her Associates degree in Applied Science with a focus in Business Administration from the Reading Area Community College and obtained additional certifications throughout her career. Though humble and gracious about her achievements, Bintu’s nearly 30 years of comprehensive banking experience enabled her to be a respected and highly valued subject matter expert. During her 22 year tenure with JPMorgan Chase, she held many roles and was instrumental in the Paycheck Protection Program’s (PPP) Forgiveness program, where she helped Small Business Owners obtain funding for employee paychecks during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Her work team says, “Bintu was a beautiful soul both inside and out and saw the best in everyone she came in contact with. Bintu was without a doubt one of the best people to work with because she was so dedicated and committed to everything she did. She was super helpful and kind and always had a smile on her face.”   

That same kind and nurturing smile made Bintu a staple and valued member in the Sierra Leonean community in the United States and specifically, Columbus, Ohio. From comforting others during their time of need with her presence, delicious food, and a bounty of prayers, to lighting up a room and filling it with her calming and regal presence, Bintu was the essence of a friend, mentor, and loving guide. As a mother, Bintu’s love and care for her children truly knew no bounds. Loving, prayerful, supportive, nurturing, caring, patient, funny, compassionate, encouraging, and attentive only begin to tell how incredible a mother she was and the influence she left on her children. For her children, Bintu modeled unconditional love and the importance of using their God-given gifts, talents, and abilities to be in service to others, lessons she always recalled learning from her late mother. Through her appreciation, commitment, and infinite love for their father, she also demonstrated and instilled in her children the power of partnership, trust, communication, and gratitude.

In her personal time, Bintu was a gifted creative with an eye for design, altruistic, and a mentor to many. Recently, she took on the new hobby of repurposing and staining wood furniture.  She enjoyed volunteering, interior decorating, and using her renowned culinary talents to host family and friends at her home with Mohamed. 

Bintu and Mohamed Kandeh’s legacy is lovingly continued by their three children, Jaia Kaikai, Zainab Kandeh, and Mohamed-Lamin Kandeh; their grandson Jaia Mohamed-Alusine Kaikai; Bintu’s mother-in-law, Haja Memuna Daramy; Bintu’s 10 surviving siblings, Mohamed’s seven surviving siblings, and extended family. 

Amazing Grace

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

Services will take place on September 23rd at 9:00 a.m. EST at Worthington Christian Church. Flowers can be sent to the church ahead of the services and/or in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made directly to the family via Ever Loved.