This memorial website was created in memory and honour of a dearly beloved and accomplished woman of valour, Pastor Dr. Debbie Antonza II, 46, born on April 9, 1968 and transited to eternal glory on October 31, 2014. She remains forever treasured in our thoughts.
Tributes
Leave a tributeWe still miss you, it’s still surreal how events get one caught up but memories remain ever fresh.
We still miss you Aunty Debbie.
You’re resting with our Lord till we all meet again.
Rest on Ma - you will be forever missed only this side of eternity, we will soon meet to part no more.
You are cherished.
Constantly remembering her relentless encouragement and beaming smiles.
Rest on daughter of Zion.
We will all meet again at the feet of our Lord Jesus on the resurrection.
Rest on in the bosom of our Lord till the day of Glory dear Aunty.
How do you say goodbye? How do you move on from someone who had been a part of your life for over 20 years. Hmmmm you left precisely two days shy of our 22nd wedding anniversary.
It happened so suddenly, without any anticipation. Definitely, unexpectedly. So saying goodbye was kinda forced....mechanical .... Spontaneous.
I still can remember it so vividly, as if it was last week. I came a bit late to the hospital that morning cos I over slept...a peaceful, deep sleep...from the Lord I guess. Lol.
The look in your eyes when I came in was like...I have been waiting for you...!!! Less than an hour later, you had left.
How can someone say goodbye at such dramatic exit. The next week was like a dream...so many activities, so many tears, so many fears...plenty drama...lol. How can I say goodbye to such a private person like you Debbie. You loved and cherished your privacy. Yes, you were public in your service but very private in your person. So here was I joining in this great celebration of life...with multitudes each mourning you in their own different ways...Thanks for friends and family.
Well, the realities of your departure have stared me in the face for the past 3 years. Life changed. I can't even describe it..but most of it is for good woo...I now can do many things on my own...things I took for granted because you were there...my helpmate...my wingman. But some aspects are hard. Like that nagging feeling of loss...separation...amputation.
I know that you have gone to a better place, I have no doubt you are very happy and contented. Am happy for you....all of us are...but we still think and talk about you with nostalgia. Sweet and sour. You were indeed an enigma, that silent but powerful force that can chip away at a mountain without notice, till the impact is felt only by the result produced. I miss you, I love you, we miss you so much.
Gladys, Richy and Immanuel are growing in amazing ways. I can't fathom the strength that Gladys exhibits...just reminds me of you. Rachel is growing into this beautiful lady and doing so well in school...and Imma is surprisingly becoming a man ...lol. There are struggles we are facing with your absence...but the Holy Spirit has been a strong tower. He has proved himself faithful and we are grateful.
Many of our family, friends, relations, colleagues and members find it difficult to come to terms with your departure...I hear it in their voice...I see it in their eyes. Death is a mystery indeed. A transition to glory...yet embedded with pain. I guess we, here on earth must also in a way learn to appropriate the glory you are enjoying. We must leave the pain and look at the gain in your transition. That way, we can enjoy the glory you are enjoying even here on earth. A woman in labour cannot hold on to the pain of childbirth after the child has been born! We must learn to embrace the joy, the glory, the peace and the presence of God you are enjoying and partake of it by letting you go.
Today, 3 years on I want to say goodbye Debbie. I choose to embrace your glory. I decide to say a proper goodbye fully understanding that there's a joy that is set before us, when we will all see him face to face. I choose to see you as the evidence that that glory is real...you are not late...you have only gone ahead of us. We partake in the glory of the inheritance promised us here on earth for which you are enjoying the fulness.
Bye Debbie
Life is fleeting and every feeling of pain and loss is not without purpose for God is versed in every single way your loss has affected us and He will carry us (as He has always done) through it with the most compassionate Grace. All for is Glory! I miss you Aunty, continue to find rest in His bosom.
I remember when we met, there was that spark, and then it happened. Thanks for being a wise counsel in difficult times, thanks for being frank with me even when it wasn't convenient, thanks for being my greatest cheerleader, you believed in me, even when I was finding it difficult to believe in myself. Thanks for giving me 3 lovely children. Glad has so grown, she's so strong, wise and full of the spirit of God, you will be proud, Richy, has turned 21, now a woman! She's smart and kind and loving. Imma is an enviable son, composed and focused. I remember how you were always going around with him like your handbag, maybe God knew something we all didn't.
I cannot tell all you have done, but when I count the blessings and name them one by one, I thank God our paths crossed. I will always love you and be proud of you...miss you greatly
Its just like yesterday. We miss you so much. The Lord has been our strength and comfort. Rest in Perfect Peace.
Rest on Pastor.
Through our Church service yesterday, I remembered you and this particular day and events of the day also. Missing you is an understatement. Your influence in my life can never be forgotten. Keep on looking out for us all.
Hardly a week passes that we do not say " if Debbie was here she perhaps would have added her counsel or perspective on......". Our family misses you so much and you continue to live in our heart. Continue to rest in the Lord.
I found it hard to drop a word because when I remember the godly sweet memories, the smiling face of a godly daughter of the Kingdom. Sweet memory still, we shall all meet with you again and with Him. You just went ahead of us.Debbie we are coming, yes we are coming to be together on the bossom of our Lord
A pearl of inestimable value
A song of irresistible melody
A light of indescribable radiance
A heart full of unspeakable joy
...You live on, even in our hearts!
You have crossed the Rubicon in triumph.
I finally pluck up the courage to write... Not that I expect you to click on a weblink to read this; but it helps us to relieve some pressure, this writing of our thoughts. In some ways these expressions in words minister grace to the hearts of those of us who are alive and remain on this dimension of things.
We say it's been 12 months already. But not to you. You are in the Eternal Now, verifying the efficacy of all that we have believed and experiencing the hope that we still hold on to...
It was a pleasure to have shared a patch of history with you, my sister. You left a warm radiance here. He, Who began this good work in all of us, will accomplish it. It hurts that you clocked out when you did but i am glad that our paths crossed at all. The memory of you is blessed in my heart.
Until we see again, we choose to leave our hands and hearts in the hands of the One who alone will reunite us all in His love...
Rest on my sweet Aunty.
Leave a Tribute
We still miss you, it’s still surreal how events get one caught up but memories remain ever fresh.
We still miss you Aunty Debbie.
You’re resting with our Lord till we all meet again.
Rest on Ma - you will be forever missed only this side of eternity, we will soon meet to part no more.
You are cherished.
MORE THAN A PASTOR - A PASSIONATE SEEKER AND SHARER OF KNOWLEDGE
My dear Debbie,
A year has passed yet it feels like yesterday. Just like a year ago we find it hard to believe that we should be writing a tribute to you. Your passing right under our very eyes was difficult to fathom.
My family and I have shared precious quiet times together with you and frankly when the church asked us to declare which pastors we were comfortable with among the church clergy, we recorded without any hesitation “Bishop and Mrs. Debbie Antonza”. This bond did not grow overnight as I watched you and Pat share knowledge, share the word and build that trust in each other which developed into a strong bond of friendship. Our family really miss you dearly.
I personally admired that passion you had to see women and children live in a safe environment which I believe attracted you to Crews Projects Ltd and the membership of the International Association of Emergency Managers. The speed with which you acquired Emergency Management knowledge and skills and became a dependable resource person for the organization in less than one year was unbelievable considering your other commitments as the President of the Praise Women for all Nations.
You were a pillar to our Emergency Management Workshop team and when we were called upon to deliver our Emergency Management workshop series to the Nigerian Defence Academy this year, there was confusion in the house. We did not and could not find a replacement for you as a capable, willing and consistently available resource person for this unique service. The Crews Project Team misses and will continue to miss you in every program.
Death is inevitable but as humans we have asked “Why Debbie and why so soon?” Only God knows why and we cannot question his omniscience. We take comfort that when the trumpet sounds, we shall meet again. So my dear Debbie –Rest in Perfect Peace. Adieu our dear pastor, friend and able resource person.
MAJOR GENERAL MARTIN C. OSAHOR (RTD) FNSE CON CEM® AND MRS PATRICIA OSAHOR FOR OUR FAMILY AND THE CREWS PROJECTS LTD TEAM.
My Darling Debbie
It's been a year now since you left us and transited into glory, though it seems like yesterday. It's been quite an eventful year to say the least. I miss you dearly my love. Words cannot describe the vacuum you left behind. All I can say is, his mercy has kept us.
Am grateful to God for giving us over 25 years of a fruitful and glorious relationship. I still remember the first day we met and how you swept me off my feet...such an intelligent and beautiful woman. You were sent from heaven for me. You brought so much to my life and I can truly say, you were heaven sent.
Thank you Lord for Debbie!
I can still see your smiles, your dogged determinations and your quiet way of doing things and achieving great result without drawing too much attention to yourself. You set a standard for us to emulate. All over the world as I visit places, they still remember how even with few words, you impacted their life's. What s beautiful spirit you had, always smiling, always loving, always caring.
Wish you were here, but heaven has recalled you to rest from your labours, and we submit to heavens will. I love you.
Bishop Calvin Antonza II, Husband and friend
Our standard, our star, our love and our reason to be great!
The first scripture that comes to my mind at the thought of you is Proverbs 31:29, which says “Many women do noble things but you surpass them all.”
I have so much that I would have loved to say to you. Firstly, I would like to say thank you for being the most amazing mother. You were strong, thoughtful, constant and warm. You made our lives easier; we could always talk to you about anything. You gave the best advice and always pointed out the best in every situation. You once asked us what your legacy to us would be, we answered saying “family,” and you added that you believed in others being rewarded for their endeavors. You never compromised on what was right.
You were so beautiful in so many ways and yet you were modest. No one ever knows how much time they have left on earth and you gave us all of yours. We are eternally grateful to you and while we are sad you are gone, we are so proud of how you lived.
You will be remembered as much more than a role model, you will be remembered as our standard, our star, our love and our reason to be great!
-Gladys Salamatu Antonza
For and on behalf of Gladys Antonza II, Rachel Antonza II and Imma Antonza II