Me and bunmi at a wedding 

"Happy birthday bunmi, to think I was going to surprise you on your birthday and call you to wish you a happy birthday. You always say Bose stop calling me on the 8th my birthday is the 7th and I was going to prove to you I remember today I set my alarm on my calendar to do so only that you are gone to heaven few days before today. Am short of words because words cannot express the pain I feel from losing you to heaven. I wish you were still here and I spent more time with you through your life struggles. I met bunmi 18 years ago and we became best of friends,I went on to nursing school and she went on to medical school before I got married and moved from New Jersey to Georgia. Bunmi was a very calm, smart, kind friend, always a good listener and a friend that give you a guilty check when u are doing something wrong. Very fun to be with and knows everything about anything. I love u and always remember you in my heart. I pray to God for your family to have strength to bear this loss. Sunre! Sunre! Ore mi."

Bose Okuwa-Folarin 

"BOOM BOOM, Happy birthday my dear. Love you infinity. Will miss your laughter and big smile. I am glad I saw you weeks ago on FaceTime. You will be forever missed.

My Dearest friend Bunmi Tapere. 

I write this with great sadness, a heavy heart over the unimaginable loss of a dear friend. Boom Boom was what I will call her when my phone rings and I hear her voice.

Over a decade ago, I had met Bunmi on the Regional train travelling from New Jersey to Washington DC. She was very friendly, kind, and warm to me on the train. We talked for hours on the train till we got to our final destination. That moment was an instant connection, we spoke like we had known each other for years.

I have watched Bunmi grow up into a respectable woman, achieved some of her aspirations. We have been through ups and down like any other friendship, but we always loved each other and I will forever cherish the good moments.

Bunmi is a selfless woman and extremely generous. I have not seen a person who is so caring continuously, always rendering assistance even if it was not warranted. She will take on people’s problems as her own and be so determined to solve them. She had a big heart and cherished whomever she loved.

She was extremely hardworking; self motivated and was very determined to be great in this world. I admire her willingness to conquer this world, her big dreams and relentless attitude to want to make a difference.

She is a hero to me, despite all the trials and tribulations she faced, she fought all the way to the very end. She was extremely brave despite her situation, she was to still determined to achieve her goals. She did not let the worst get the best of her or hinder her from living and being happy.

She loved God and committed herself to having a strong relationship with him. She would even invite me to church, call to pray with me and even offer her pastors to pray with me. She was always available when you need her and I love how despite in her circumstance, she still would smile, laugh, and have hope. 

It is unfortunate, that when I have a child, she would not meet her but I will most definitely tell her the great virtues her Aunty Bunmi possessed.

I will forever miss Boom Boom and she is irreplaceable. She is a tremendous loss to my family; she touched our lives in different ways. She is a Gem, I love her more like a sister. 
When I was crying with my mum, her words were… she has gone to rest; she is with God now and at peace. 

Bunmi, I love you and I thank God for bringing you into my life. I pray God gives your family the fortitude to bear your loss. You will forever remain in our hearts.
#Bunmigonetosoon #forevermissed #mayyoursoulrestinperfectpeace

Warmest regards,
Dr Teniade Sijuwade"