A Tribute of My Friend and Mom by Lady Mary Anyaibe.
5 min read
Dear mom,
I am happy to have you as my mom. You were the most caring, loving and observing mom, one can ever have. Thanks mom. You did fantastic job raising us . You had nine children altogether. You had 5 before we left Jos and four later. I was young when saw you cry non-stop when your child, late Fidelia chiarnaka died at one year old in 1962. It was difficult for me to console you as young as I was then. You were a full- time house wife. As the co-founder of Ambassador Bakery, you made sure that the family and workers were properly fed.
Mom, I cannot put all in writing, but you were the reason I have such a good value for life. the greatest event you were excellent at was Christmas. By November you have purchased materials for Christmas. It was a time to show off our outfits, shoes etc. You always encouraged us to visit families and neighbors. You always said that I should have been a headmistress if I had gone to school. I was one of the best students at our Lady of Fatima Elementary School Jos, because of your encouragement. I deeply appreciated your advice. I say thanks.
You were the best ever. Your love for clean environment, you made sure the house was clean always. Our late Dad, Chief Jerome Iwuala Offorji never ate anybody’s cooking but yours. Even, you never allowed us to serve him but yourself.
You told me that you were the last born of late Dede Cyril Nworji of Umulolo, Ugbele. You told me that you were taking care of your late sister’s children, when our Dad saw you and decided that he would marry you. The marriage yielded 9 children, out of which seven are living today. We thank God for giving you such wonderful, hard working children. (Challenges will come but God is in control). Your marriage with our late dad, chef Jerome offorji lasted 30years before he passed away. We still miss him very much.
What a strong man he was and a family community man too. Mom thanks for all your guidance, love, care and benevolences. We are celebrating your life.
We were learning since we had limited house helpers. Most of them were busy with their assignment in the bread industry. You treated all as yours. As I can remember, most of them were from different villagers in Umuaka. Thanks for all your love, care and teachings.
June 1966, we left Jos due to instability in Nigeria. I was very young but could remember you introducing us to your Brother, Dede Cyril Nworji. He was the best Uncle and best brother we ever had. Our late Dad was also fond of him. He always calls his Igbo name with respect and love. You were good with teachings about family.
At home in the village you accommodated our family and friends. You always prepared meals in the evenings as they would visit. You taught me that friendship and families are important. You were home till 1977 when our late Dad established his business after the war in Jos.
January 1978, you had the last baby. May 23, 1978, you fell sick and waited for miracle to have you healed but God has been in control.
I remember in Jos, you struggled to speak English over the phone. It was funny. All you were saying over and over was “Hello, Onye ne kwu”. The English man in Kerfarchan was not understanding. He reported to Dad. It was funny. He was the flour supplier. I laughed and laughed. You were funny mom in more ways than one. I enjoyed you calling me Baby Nwa. You gave each of us a special name.
I always cherished the advice you gave me about marriage. You asked me to pray for a good husband. When the Anyaibes came you asked me to pray for a good husband and the prayer worked.
When my husband visited home June 1975, you advised me that I was not married yet till I was taken to church for marriage.
Thanks for the advice. This is 49 years of knowing each other. God is good he blessed us with 4 children mom- three men and one woman-2 grandsons and one granddaughter.
We all waited for you to be healed to visit us. It never happened. We continued to love and cherish your care, protection, love, advice and teaching us to be good children.
We thank God for the care you received from Edith on your last 3 months on earth by Lolo Cecilia Ojinnaka. May our good God bless them.
We did the best we could for you as your children. I was taking care of you from May 1978 to January 1979. My siblings tried, we cannot thank our late Dad enough, who devoted his energy trying to get you healed, and God was in control.
After all these years, you were finally called to glory on February 25th 2021. You tried and you were an angel. You have guided us and we are what we are because of your care.
Mom you were a good caring, excellent, loving, compassionate mom. You lived on through the efforts of your children in the family and community in general. We love and continue to love because you loved. A seed produces the same seed planted. We took after your giving to the world because you and Dad said “yes it is good to give without asking for return”.
Mom, you were called home to glory at God’s time not man. The world is not perfect, the community is not perfect, family is not perfect but God is always perfect. We love you but God is always perfect. We love you but God loves you the most. Rest in perfect peace till we meet again.
You did your job extraordinary as a wife and mother. One day I will write a book about you mom. I briefed in this tribute about you. Let the world, family, and community see you in us helping the needy. Rest in perfect peace. Do not worry about us. We are in God’s hand and not man. Greet Dad for me.
Your number 1 Daughter.
Nneoma Lady Princess Anyaibe
