A Tribute to Adé Ayo Moody
“Your life is made of two dates and a dash. Make the most of the dash.” – Linda Ellis
By Makiyah Moody
Adé Ayo Moody
Adé Ayo Moody, a member of the Harbor Care’s board of directors, was a passionate advocate who helped vulnerable people navigate to safety and supported his community. He is dearly missed.
Each summer is a bit melancholy for me towards the end of August, as August 21st marks the passing of my oldest brother, Adé Ayo Moody. Adé Ayo, which means “Our Crown Joy,” lit up any room he entered with his glowing smile, hilarious sense of humor, and signature dance moves. His heart was expansive, demonstrating compassion and concern for others even amid his own challenges with manic depression.
In recent years, the stigma associated with mental illness has diminished, yet much more work remains. Individuals living with mental illness are more than their condition; it’s important not to confuse one’s condition or life circumstance with their character. Our family has countless joy-filled memories of Adé that show the breadth of his love for others, the depth of his character, and the width of his sense of humor:
When I was six, I fell into a neighbor’s swimming pool. My arms flailed helplessly as I couldn’t swim. No sooner had the shock of being submerged hit me, Adé, 14, was in the pool pulling me to solid ground.
During summer vacations in Hampton, Virginia, Adé would call our Aunt Jackie pretending to confirm a takeout order that she hadn’t placed. Hours would go by until he revealed that he was the prankster.
As a lifelong learner, Adé liked taking on new challenges. Once he begged to cut his younger brother, Sy’s, hair back when high flat tops were in style. Adé promised to give Sy his new skateboard if he messed it up. Instead of a new skateboard, Sy got a nice bald spot on the top of his head. Always industrious, Adé turned it into a step in the flat top.
It was typical for teachers at the beginning of a school year to inquire which sibling who came before us we were more like. Adé was a class clown and could keep the laughter going.
Adé’s curiosity led him to an 18-month course at Sargent College at Boston University for individuals dealing with mental illness. At the graduation ceremony, the emcee asked if anyone would like to speak. Adé was the only one who went up to the podium and thanked the College for the opportunity to attend classes. His most memorable statement was, “I want to be the best that I can be.”
When Adé ran into folks in the community that needed help, he would always bring them to Harbor Homes’ attention to be helped. (Harbor Homes changed its name to Harbor Care in August 2020.)
Countless vulnerable members of the community have received services and supports due to the Adé Ayo Moody Memorial Fund since its inception.
As Adé navigated the highs and lows of a mental health rollercoaster, Harbor Care was a critical presence and companion on his journey towards wellbeing. The organization connected him to counselors and therapists and guided him through employment searches. At Harbor Care, Adé made lifelong friends, received mental health support, and housing assistance. For several years, he lived at Harbor Homes’ Maple Street group home, a caring environment that grounded him during challenging times. As a member of the agency’s board of directors, Adé was able to advocate for others and leverage his experiences through service.
Adé made the most of his dash and his legacy lives on through the Adé Ayo Moody Memorial Fund at Harbor Care which was established in 1999 to raise funds to advance Harbor Care’s mission. Peter Kelleher, executive director, has many years of fond memories of the annual celebrations of Adé’s life that were held at Nashua Baptist Church which included songs, fellowship, streamers, and tambourines.
To date, the fund has raised over $40,000. Please consider investing in and advancing the holistic work of Harbor Care to ensure that all people served receive integrated, personalized, end-to-end care, services, and supports that enable their paths to successful lives.