Visitor Guest Book

By Rita Tony-Udoh

location
Lagos, Nigeria
relationship
Niece

Today as I was going through my suitcase of traditional clothes looking for an outfit to wear to church Aunty I remembered you. I remembered how you lovingly packed that suitcase for me folding each piece neatly. I remember so much about you because you were always an integral part of my life from childhood even up till your very end.
I remember you as a teacher in my primary school hailing and cheering me on as I performed or won an award. I remember you holding my hands and dragging me through the streets of Enugu. I remember you at my wedding coming so late (as usual) from Enugu with my suitcase which had my wedding shoes long after the wedding service. I remember being angry with you but can anyone ever stay angry with you for long? I remember you coming to look after me after I had Kristin that is performing the traditional “Omugo” because my mother was away and couldn’t make it. I remember the sweetness and the disasters of that Omugo. I remember you so full of life as you bustled around my house cooking one special dish after another. I remember all the phone calls at my birthday which you never missed even to the very last one. I remember you in Boston through your illness bustling about the house insisting on doing things for yourself and keeping your room in Nwamaka’s house so neat and tidy. I remember sitting in your room watching Nigerian home videos (which I don’t normally watch) and talking into the night. Finally I remember bursting into tears the last time I saw you because you were looking so skinny and how you comforted me telling me you were actually feeling very well. Aunty I remember so much that it is hard to believe you are gone!
A few days to your death I dreamt of you looking so hale and hearty all dressed up in the latest fashion with your hair so full like in the old days. In that dream I had gone to the airport to receive you and you told me to keep on thanking God on your behalf because He had done His best for you. I woke up from that dream knowing that God was about to take you from us. I prayed so hard that God would allow you to make it back home so I can see you for one last time but God knows best.
I try to heed your advice and thank God because He has done His best in you. He has taken you to a place of no sorrow no heartaches no pain and no loneliness. Aunty’m I try so hard but who would again call me “The Gee”?
I love you my Aunty rest now in the bosom of the Lord and I thank God for you.

Your Gee

Rita Tony-Udoh

By Adaobi Mercy Nwerri

location
Enugu, Nigeria
relationship
Sister

It was on a cool breezy morning on the 20th day of Oktober 1942 after a drizzle. My father rushed in
from the General Hospital Enugu (the Coal City branch of now UNTH) and announced with glee the birth
of a baby girl. Neighbors and nearby friends rushed to our Colliery Quarters residence. There was much
jubilation. Our parents had lost three boys in succession. None survived to see the other. They were
Godwin Felix and John. Nonyem became a precious baby names started rolling in. My father named her
Comfort; mother named her Nonyelum (nonyem for short); my brother named her Edith - a rich gift; I
simply called her 'Baby'.
She went to two primary schools - St. Peter's School Coal Camp Enugu and C.M.S. School Warri. She
was admitted into the Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls' Secondary School Elelenwa in Port Harcourt
- one of the star and prestigious schools in the then Eastern Region. After she went to the Queens' School
Enugu to do her 'A' Levels. Then the Civil war broke out and she served at the Fuel Directorate.
At the end of the war she taught at the All Saints School (now Ekulu Primary School Enugu). Shortly
she met her future husband Dr. Chibuzo Nwachuku of the UNTH Enugu. Soon after the couple moved
to live in the USA. There the marriage was blessed with two lovely children Chioma and Chibuzo
Jr.who were loved and always clad in the childrens' latest wears of the season. They had so many dresses
that occasionally the surplus was returned to the dress stores money claimed and used in purchasing
some newer styles. For Dr. Chibuzo it was white shirts for the summer and nothing but white. Nonyem
would go shopping for white shirts and kept them spotless - no rings around the collar or cuffs. She was
also meticulous about her wardrobe. Her sitting room was so well decorated in green monotone from
curtain to chairs to table runners and rugs to the admiration of many. She filled her flower vases and pots
with vibrant colors that complemented her and her guests. In this way she expressed her creativity -
blending pure fresh uplifting and exciting colors. They returned to Nigeria in 1984. She lost her
husband in 1995 - a sad event.
Nonyem was a good cook she found joy in cooking. She cooked with so much excitement that she would
want you to be excited too. One of the dishes she enjoyed cooking and teaching was casserole - delicious!
She loved her family relations and friends and she had quite a handful. She never owed a visit. They
meant so much to her and they loved her too. She was simply generous. She committed her life to her
Christian faith. When she felt that something was lacking during one of her visits to Nigeria she quickly
prepared herself and was enrolled into the prestigious 'Mother's Union' Church of Nigeria (Anglican
Communion). The Mother's Union is a Christian organization which promotes the well being of families
worldwide.
Nonyem takes a final painful exit.
Baby with joy excitement and great expectations I made your bridal dress the best I could. I never
thought that I would also make your 'shroud'. Dreadful sorrow! Late on the evening of the 6th day of
Oktober 2009 I phoned France and got Chioma. I told her to put the phone on Nonyem's ear. I could hear
her drawing long breaths. I spoke to her believing she could hear me: "Nonyem. This is your sister. I love
you. Your family loves you. Your friends love you. It is well with you. It is well with you...I sobbed and
faded away. The next morning - 7th Oktober 2009 thirteen days away from her birthday the painful
message came that she had passed on. What a painful exit! May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord
and may his perpetual light shine upon you. Adieu my father's Comfort adieu my mother's Nonyem
adieu my brother's Edith adieu my Baby. Adieu! Adieu!! Adieu!!!
Mercy Adaobi Nwerri (Ene)

By Rita Tony-Udoh

location
Lagos
relationship
Niece

Today as I was going through my suitcase of traditional clothes looking for an outfit to wear to church Aunty I remembered you. I remembered how you lovingly packed that suitcase for me folding each piece neatly. I remember so much about you because you were always an integral part of my life from childhood even up till your very end.
I remember you as a teacher in my primary school hailing and cheering me on as I performed or won an award. I remember you holding my hands and dragging me through the streets of Enugu. I remember you at my wedding coming so late (as usual) from Enugu with my suitcase which had my wedding shoes long after the wedding service. I remember being angry with you but can anyone ever stay angry with you for long? I remember you coming to look after me after I had Kristin that is performing the traditional “Omugo” because my mother was away and couldn’t make it. I remember the sweetness and the disasters of that Omugo. I remember you so full of life as you bustled around my house cooking one special dish after another. I remember all the phone calls at my birthday which you never missed even to the very last one. I remember you in Boston through your illness bustling about the house insisting on doing things for yourself and keeping your room in Nwamaka’s house so neat and tidy. I remember sitting in your room watching Nigerian home videos (which I don’t normally watch) and talking into the night. Finally I remember bursting into tears the last time I saw you because you were looking so skinny and how you comforted me telling me you were actually feeling very well. Aunty I remember so much that it is hard to believe you are gone!
A few days to your death I dreamt of you looking so hale and hearty all dressed up in the latest fashion with your hair so full like in the old days. In that dream I had gone to the airport to receive you and you told me to keep on thanking God on your behalf because He had done His best for you. I woke up from that dream knowing that God was about to take you from us. I prayed so hard that God would allow you to make it back home so I can see you for one last time but God knows best.
I try to heed your advice and thank God because He has done His best in you. He has taken you to a place of no sorrow no heartaches no pain and no loneliness. Aunty’m I try so hard but who would again call me “The Gee”?
I love you my Aunty rest now in the bosom of the Lord and I thank God for you.

Your Gee

Rita Tony-Udoh

By Stella Mbubaegbu _ CBE

location
UK
relationship
Niece

Snug in your arms
Racing with the wind
Singing out of tune
Holding you tight, I’m dancing on your feet
Loved unconditionally

Ada ogalanya! Ada ogalanya!
The main, the main! The main, the main! I am here.

Growing up with you
The adventures and the confidences
The love and the laughter, the joy and the tears
Singing in harmony
Sharing ups and downs
Love for ‘Brother’ and ‘Sister’ overflowing and binding tight.

Fiercely protective, fighting for your own
Sister, aunt, mother, friend
Generous in plenty, generous in want
Loving unconditionally, loved unconditionally in return.

Ada ogalanya! Ada ogalanya!
The main, the main! The main, the main! I am here.

Restlessly searching, reaching for more
Betrayed and seemingly abandoned, yet hopeful for a brighter day.

Was it only a year ago you said to me ‘you have to be strong’?
Here I am now
Holding you in my heart; Learning to let you go
The main, the main! The main, the main! .... I am here.
Rasping breath, painful breath
Hush my sister, I am here. Do not fret.
Softly, softly, gently, feel my embrace
Feel my love, surrounding you....now you are snug in my arms
I would if I could waltz you on my feet
Sing you a lullaby without tears, if I could.

Hush my sister, my lovely one, do not fear – be at peace
Listen for the coming of the One who loves you most...............
Lord would you meet her in that space unknown to us where she lingers
Would you return her to us, please? Please?
Lord let your will be done.
Would you take her by the hand and let her see your face?
Would you take her hand and ease her passage?
Your will is done.

The main, the main! The main, the main! I am here.
Silence
The main, the main! The main, the main!
Silence

Holding you always in my heart
Letting you go
Loving you unconditionally
It is well.



And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of this is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 13

Stella Ngozi Mbubaegbu CBE

By Chinemerem Mbubaegbu

location
UK
relationship
Great Niece

To My Aunty,

I was your Chi-Mama and you were my Aunty Chi-Mama. You were the definition of an aunt – full of love and care for us, your great-nieces. We will miss your loveliness, your warm voice over the phone. We hope that you are resting in peace, free of pain, free of suffering and with Our Lord.

We love you.

Chinemerem

By Gloria Ene

location
Kaduna, Nigeria
relationship
Niece

Beloved Aunty Nonyem. That sounds just about right because you were a much loved aunt. A very special aunt from as far back as my childhood memories go.

Do you remember at No. 8 Ridgeway the day when all of us kids ran out of the house and towards the gate screaming "Auntie Nonyem is here" and you got bit by the dog Freckles. He must have been thoroughly confused by all the screaming and running by his little friends and you to have done that because he was generally a very friendly canine. You'd never have agreed with that of course your fear of dogs was legendary. As legendary as your fear of the injections you had to take as a result of that bite!

I remember you carrying me on your back when my little legs got tired after I'd insisted on going "walk-about" with you to visit friends in the neighbourhood. I really enjoyed you introducing me as your first god-child and the sweets that came with each introduction. My first real holiday away from home was at your house in Obunofia. I remember it so vividly even though I must have been all of 5 years old!

My memories of you are so rich and full. You coming home from work with the latest record hit and teaching us the latest dance steps. Fela's "chop & quench" JB's "sex machine" and the others we experienced them all with you in those fun filled '70's at Nnaji Street. The frenzy of your wedding preparations when you cried bitterly because you'd lost your voice and couldn't sing Christmas carols with the rest of us. The excitement of your visit to Nigeria from the United States in augustus 1979 with Chioma and Junior and the shared grief of your visit later that year over Daddy (your Brother)

My first wrapper was a gift from you. My graduation present from you was another first too! I remember how you became Auntie Chimama to all your great nieces and great nephews starting from Chine. You were pretty special to each and every one of them too. Nana will hurt when I tell her that her Auntie Chimama is gone.

I won't have space to recount all the songs you taught me. You encouraged me to learn new songs using tonic sol-fa. You'd teach me the treble of a song then we'd learn the alto and then we'd learn the descant. I wonder why we never got to tenor and bass. Meibe we would have got there if death hadn't stolen you away.
As our people sing in that funeral dirge "the death that killed you Auntie Nonyem is a thief". It stole your health; it stole your loving caring and overgenerous heart. None of us will forget your typical "Do you like this? Take it then." as you gave out your things. It stole that too. It stole your joy in people your laughter - usually generously mixed up with tears. It stole your life and all the good times I imagined we would still have with you.

I want to believe though that it didn't steal your singing. I want to believe that you are right there in heaven doing your thing and even teaching the angels a thing or two. Meibe if I could focus on that it wouldn't hurt so much that you are gone at this time and in this manner. I miss you Auntie Nons everything that was you. I really did love you Auntie with the pimples warts and all because I know you loved me the same with my pimples warts carbuncles and all.

"Good night my lovely Auntie Nonyem
Sleep on and take your rest."

Your I'oyi (Gloria)
Niece