From Yolande Nicholson-Oladeji
The best surprises are the true surprises, and Mummy Oladeji was a best surprise, becoming a part of my life and our Grenadian-American family, and we, a part of her Nigerian-Yoruba family; and, without hesitation, swooping me up as one of her many daughters, 32 years ago, when she arrived, to me unexpectedly, three days after the birth of her first grandson, Olalekan Oladeji, on September 23, 1988. She came bearing gifts of love and new beginnings, to celebrate and deliver and care for the new born, and to nuture all of us. I already had a "Mummy" who was already engrossed in showering her children and grandchildren with doting affection and care on a daily basis; who could ask for more? But then more was delivered - Mummy Oladeji arrived to swaddle Bode, Lekan and I into her caring arms and comforting care, and like bright shiny gold, topped with sparkling diamonds, Mummy Oladeji walked into our New York City lives with her melodic voice, her joyful eyes, her graceful, elegant smile, her wonderfully pitched laughter, and that perfectly shaped and colored face that guided you to find it and follow it around. She loved saying, Yolande! with a Yoruba pitch, and I loved hearing it said for the next 30+ years. To this day, I remember so clearly the moment we fell in love with each other, within minutes upon meeting each other, and in the coming mornings standing over Lekan's crib or bathing or dressing him together - I so looked forward every day to our morning breakfast chats as she knitted even more treasures for Lekan's comfort. In bundling us with her care and joy, and her grace and elegance, Mummy Oladeji held my hand in making our humble home together at the time. In the coming days and weeks and months, she slowly revealed all the treasures she had traveled from Nigeria to New York with, to bring all Yoruba blessings and lessons to set their first grandson on his way in life. One week later, with her loving Daddy having arrived with even more treasures -- certainly at her loving instructions --she orchestrated a traditional naming ceremony for Lekan, in our tiny apartment living room, like a maestro leading a musical ensemble, in a grand hall. We became one, one whole family unit, Bode's and mine, for life, through Mummy Oladeji. My Mum Maggie loved her, and loved spending time with her; my aunts loved her, and loved sharing stories over food with her; my sisters and brothers, and neices and nephews loved her; my cousins loved her; when she arrived from Nigeria in the coming year with bundles of fabric, there was always a dressing ceremony in my Mum's living room and lots of food; she loved my sister Alice's cooking, and she loved her cooking, and they loved sharing spices and seasoning tips; I fell in love with Nigerian Pepe through Mummy's cooking - goat meat wrapped in greens!; our friends and extended family stood in awe of Mummy and Daddy's regal grace, infectious laughter and humour, and warm embrace on that beautiful Sunday afternoon that we christened Lekan and celebrated with lots of food and lots of music. Mummy and I strolled through the streets of upper Manhattan daily with little Lekan in his stroller whenever she was here - which was often in the coming months; she gently taught me how to never never pay the first price charged by a street vendor, with a gentle touch of her hand and a twinkle of her eye; how to properly say AH! AH! in different circumstances; how to fry a whole chicken with herbs without breaking the skin and losing its juices, which I did over the years whenever I missed her person; how to wrap myself in traditional Nigerian Ashoke; how to be patient; how to bear pain with grace. Our maternal relationship and friendship continued in the coming years and decades, by extended, telephone chats, over thousands of miles, continents and cultures apart. She soothed me when I was hurting, encouraged me when I was scared,
assured me when I was confused. And she made sure that Laumi and I are sisters in love, for which I am forever grateful. I still remember when she told me 30+ years ago, "You know Yolande, I love you." The Oladeji family must know -- as Daddy does I am sure -- that they were blessed to have 90+ years of this absolutely beautiful mother, grandmother and friend in their lives, guiding, nourishing and caring for them; for all of us. May we continue on with the love, protections and friendships she endowed us with across the oceans, for our children and grandchildren. May her soul rest in peace. May her spirit -- the spirit of Mum Catherine Oladeji -- soar to the highest of heights to join those of her family and friends -- including the heavenly spirit of my Mum Maggie and my aunts who loved sharing stories with her over food -- in the heavenly realm. Rest in Peace Mummy Catherine Oladeji. You will be remembered always on this side of God's wonderful world; you will stay in my heart always. ❤️