Ya Agie needed to rest and was called back home a year ago.
May we all continue to hold her precious memories for a life well lived.
May God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
May we continue to salute her courage and celebrate her achievements.
Rest in peace dear loved one.
Signed: Dr. Samuel Yisa Rumala (uncle)
(For the family)
hmmmm,my sister the bond of my family,i always call you my treasure. My closet family member ever,i was still hoping for a miracle to happen. me saying i will miss you is an understatement. I love you so much till the day i will die i won't stop loving you. Really want to make heaven just to see your beautiful face again, i hope you will recognise me and i can't wait to ask God the so many questions i have for him. MY Treasure,the back bone of the entire house,i don't know how we will live without you, please beg God to give us the strenght to live knowing we won't see you soon...................Regards to dad for me,I love you sister.
My Beloved Ya Agie from Nnagi Ladi
I thank God for many reasons especially for life well spent before your departure from this world. The memories we have shared will never fade away. Your life was not about catching up, but it was about staying one step ahead. Ya Agie, as l always called you. I will miss your gentle soft voice, smile, deep caring and generosity. Your simplicity of spirit was so compelling that I can hear your skillful voice. You are someone special we can't replace. You also left a great vacuum being one of few women in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
In June of 2015, before I made a surprise visit to your brother, Ya-Saba’s wedding; your quick response to my email kept all the arrangements, including ordering of souvenirs and my trip to Nigeria smooth sailing. You were a great daughter anyone would love to have in their family, but your life was caught short.
I also remember during my last visit to Nigeria in March of 2016, when you went to the market to buy all my native food provisions and other items to take with me to New York. Furthermore, during all my visits to Nigeria, l will call and say "SURPRISE" and you will always respond on the other side of the phone "Nnagi, Oh, we are not expecting you" then I will say "it is a surprise". You will immediately tell me "Nnagi, I am on my way to see you". You came right away without waiting for the end of the day.
Saying goodbye is never easy, it's the hardest thing to do, but what hurts even more is not having the chance to see you on your last day. You will always be missed and l know you are resting in a better place where you do not have to go through pain. Keep resting until we meet again.
Mrs Florence Yisa-Rumala (Nnagi Ladi)
My dearest sister, you were the first closest sister I have ever had. We shared so many things with each other. In our early days, we shared the same room and much laughter. Later on in life, when you moved into your house, I recall visiting your home sleeping in your room and the conversations we had until very late in the night during those visits. I even remember us staying on the phone for 4 or 5 hours straight to everyone's surprise. They all wondered, what could we be talking about for that long? I recall the special dishes you prepared including the pounded yam.
We were the two Bodis (you were Bodi senior) and I was Bodi junior. I learned so much from your wisdom and creativity from the early days of our youth. We shared much laughter, tears, food, and also prayer moments together. You were always checking on me to see if there were additional items I needed. I still have the many items and my cherished net sponges that you gave me. I have refused to leave it anywhere. It oftentimes comes to the room with me next to my belongings. Your last message to me on whatsapp was “Amen, you too” Yagie, it is well with your soul. Though my heart has been left with a void, I still hear your voice in my mind. I recall when we saw in Canada, I was so happy to see you and also meet your colleagues as we explored various sites, went to the buffet restaurant, and had our first limousine ride after some bargaining. I recall after the ride, the limo driver conveniently mentioned tax to hike up the price and we continued with another round of bargaining. I also recall the crucial role you played in the matchmaking endeavors and the laughter we shared through the process. There were many shared moments.
I admired your heart, your giving, your concern for others, your advice, your sense of style with Nigerian fashion. I learned about the latest Nigerian styles from you and I am grateful for the many styles that you sewed for me.
I recall when we were younger as you were in secondary school and I was in primary school and the various experiences you informed me about in the boarding school. I also remember our many trips to the market and going from stall to stall looking for our shoe size because we both inherited grandma’s big feet. As well as the shea butter that we purchased from the market. Fast forward, I remembered the visits to your house, our late night conversations, and our excursion to the park on Christmas day for a picnic with your special fried rice.
You will be missed until we see again.
With love,
your sister, Bodi
To my Dearest YaAgie,
Words cannot explain your sudden departure. This is one of my earliest memories of you: Some mornings, you took me to elementary school and picked me up afterwards. On our way back, we sometimes stopped by a local vendor to buy some yam porridge, ground nuts (i.e. peanuts), or other small items as I love to eat. Those times were especially challenging for me as I did not understand or know how to speak the local language, and I think no one could understand the words coming out of my mouth either. It was a great time spent with you, resulting in good family bonding too! You were a big sister that showed love, support, care and compassion to me and all your siblings and extended siblings. I will certainly miss you!
In your loving memory,
Yisa
Dr. Yisa Rumala, Jr.
