Arzeymah Hildagard VanLandingham Raqib

Arzeymah (Hildagard VanLandingham) Raqib was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on January 10th, 1943. She was the beloved and only daughter of Henry Vanlandingham and Ida Mary (Barton) VanLandingham. Soon after her birth, her father was drafted by the US Army to fight in WWII. The family relocated to Buffalo, New York in 1945. Arzeymah Raqib Attended Bennett Highschool, graduated with her bachelors in Education from the State University at Buffalo New York, and later received her Masters in Education from Canisus College also located  in Buffalo New York. Most of her younger years were spent around family in the kitchen and garden. She learned to cook traditional and family recipes passed down from her Jamaican grandmother. She developed a love  for cooking and gardening while using these recipes and fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden.  As a teenager she was tasked to take care of your younger bother while her mother and aunts worked a nurse. Her devotion and dedication to her family started at an early age and never diminished. While in college these principles allowed her to cultivate a passion for people, justice and equality for all. She rode buses with black and white students into the south to protest Jim Crow Laws. She was fortunate to be on the lawn listening to Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream “speech. She didn’t stop there. She set up a Voters registration drive, using our house to field calls and answer questions. She joined the rainbow Coalition and helped bring Rev. Jessie Jackson Sr. to Ithaca New York to campaign during his run for President of the United States in 1988. She worked as a counselor at  Displaced Homemakers.  An agency for mothers and families in need providing housing clothing , food and other assistance. She became a director at Southside Community Center in Ithaca new York. A community center helping families in need. In 1990 she picked up her family and went to the place she called home. Buffalo New York. The became a Buffalo Public School Teacher specializing in Math. There she and her husband Malik Raib raised their children, hanif, Atiya Musa and Lisa until he passed away In 2002. Her dedication to her children and grandchildren was unwavering. Even as a busy school teacher and a mother, she found time for her community and others., She was a lover music history art and gardening. She often visited festivals and concerts nationwide including the Caribana in Toronto, Canada. She retired from the school district in 2010. She continued to pursue this passion after retirement and began traveling around the world. She went to Maastricht, Holland many times with our family to visit with her sister Els marc Sonja,  marciano and delano. She went to Paris France, Rome Italy London England and fulfilled her long-life dream of going to Africia as well. Although her permanent residence was in buffalo, she lived in Ocala, Florida with her daughter most of the time. Especially, during the winters as she loved the sun.  While there she attended the mosque and church with her daughter. She enjoyed spending time with our extended family and friends. Even with her walker, she attended ball games, award ceremonies, cook outs, family holidays and reunions, and going to the beach. She spent her last days doing what she loved , reading, writing , researching, gardening, eating good food, and being in the sun. Most of all, she spent time with Malik. Preceed by her death  is Her father Henry Vanlandingham . her mother Ida Mary Vanlandingham, her brother Phillip Vanlandingham (Penny Vanlandingham), her sister Els  Geijselaers, her husband Malik Raqib, her son Musa Raqib and her daughter Elizabeth Rivera. She is survived by her son Hanif Raqib and her daughter Atiya Raqib( Larry Williams). Her grandchildren Musa Raqib, Nisa Raqib, Antonia Anderson, Malik Raqib, Khamani Kerny, Rylan Krepp, Keyonna rivera , teyonna rivera( johnny walker) Teara rivera (marquel davissmith ),  and marquis Rivera.  Her great grand children Chosen Raqib, Keon Rivera, Angelo Favors,  Johnny rivera , Jayden rivera, jet walker , Mila Walker , Mya rivera -smith , myla rivera- smith and Reign Rivera. Nieces Sonja Geijselaers( Marciano and Delano Geijselaears) and Lavina Gonzalez-Brown. Along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She also survived by her dear friends James and Betty Fomby, Denise Lee and the entire Lee family, Donna Habeb, Cila-Faye Wright and the entire Harshey Family, Victoria Baldwin and her entire family, the entire Williams Family, Paulette Brewer and the entire Brewer Family and all of our Ocala Family.

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