To be honest, I've never met late Mrs. Catherine Anagboso. But I must confess that after attending her funeral Mass(listening to Msgr. Onoyima, Mr. Julian, and Bishop Onah speak) and going through the tributes written here below, I am inspired to keep striving and making intentional efforts to be a better person. Sincerely I am encouraged to serve God devoutly.
Finally, I pray that God grant's her family the unending grace and fortitude to bear her loss.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and May her soul rest in peace. Amen

I can still remember my mum saying, I am going to report you to your Aunty when I went out of line, which was a little bit too often while growing up then in UNN. My aunt had a special way of communicating with reasoning, care, love and firmness. My Saturday visits to Elias Avenue and Onuiyi haven will always remain the highlights of my childhood and teenage years. It is with broken hearts that we’ve come to acknowledge that God has taken you home, you took a part of us as well, but for whatever we have lost here, heaven has definitely gained an Angel, continue resting in the bosom of our Lord Aunty.

Tribute and commentary by Dr Akpa and Opus Dei

I am Dr. Paul Achile Akpa, presently a senior Lecturer in the Department of of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutics Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka. I have had the singular good fortune of being linked to the Anagboso family since my undergraduate studies, nearly three decades ago, through Dr Michael Kelleher of the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry. He was at that time, the major proponent of Opus Dei in Nsukka and a very good friend of the Anagboso family.

Throughout the course of the years and not infrequent interactions I was able to grasp the human and supernatural qualities of Catherine.

I will never forget her gentle smile and the mischievous glint in her eyes urging one to look to Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

In the years of staying at Uhere Study centre then located at Amogbo Lane off Ibagwa road where the Kitchen was managed by Mr. Gilbert Eze with the help of his children and residents, we gradually got to know first-hand that the real celebration of the major liturgical feasts of the Catholic church will be days to relish the cooking and care of mother Catherine. She made it a point of duty to prepare special lunch for Dr Kelleher and the students on such days!

The Anagboso children Chudi, Emeka and Ifeanyi will be forever urging us to do justice to the sumptuous food that poured out from the kitchen of Mummy Catherine.

In our youthful glee we did not quite appreciate all the trouble that Mama Catherine went through to present us such delicious food nor did we sit down to think through all the silent and hidden work that cooking for all of us would have involved. Mummy Catherine covered it up all with her smile.

When the time came for Dr. Michael Kelleher to leave Nsukka to return to the USA in (1998) he was hosted to a dinner by Mr and Mrs Anagboso at their Bethany Residence. I lost direct contact with the family in the period of 2000 to 2004 while out for further studies. However, since my return to Nsukka in July 2004. I have remained a frequent visitor to the family.

Mommy suffered a stroke in 2004. She spent the past 17 years in a painful romance with the crucified Christ without demur. Even on her Wheelchair she always radiated peace and joy. One went with the impression after each visit that one has gained more from her than giving to her. She was no doubt a woman of faith, often holding on to her rosary beads and ever smiling.

On Sunday the 7th of March, I received an SMS from Daddy telling us that Mama was in her last hours. I rushed over to pray for and with her and say my goodbye!

I will like to finish with some words of Dr Michael Kelleher in a recent WhatsApp message.

“Her home was like Bethany. Catherine was Martha and Mary wonderfully combined in one person. She was a true contemplative in the middle of the world. Constantly at the service of all. We have had the great fortune to have lived among one of the unsung saints of our country."

Tribute to Mrs Catherine Obiamaka Anagboso: “Nwanyi Obioma”

Mrs Catherine O Anagboso, the last time you sent for me, I attended this special call. We had very fruitful discussions, centered on being kind to the less privileged in society. You stressed the need for people to be kind to other people and showed me the way to being humanitarian to the glory of God. However, less did I know that, that beautiful day was to be the last I would see you in this life. Your death left me heavily distressed and devastated but was consoled by the fact that you died in the Lord.

Nwanyi Obioma, you were an astute teacher “per excellence”, a woman of great thought and feelings, a lady of wonderful ideas with a great taste for truth. Your simplicity and humility were compellingly disarming. You bore no malice against any mortal even at the highest provocation. You always preferred peace to reign instead of war in your life. From my own observation, you are a good Christian mother who epitomised many wonderful virtues. Yes, you did. What really distinguished Madam Catherine Obiamaka Anagboso among her peers are that she was an embodiment of humility and kindness, an essence of compassion for duty, for style, who trained all her children to imbibe honesty and to embrace hard work and more importantly, respect the laws of God. As a result, one of the children became a Rev Father even after completing a doctorate in Theology and succeeded in style.

Mama Father, all the members of my family join a host of others to pray to God for your repose and also to give the living members of your family the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Adieu, Mama Father.
Adieu, Nwanyi Obioma.
Adieu Cathy, the respected late wife of Julian, may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen

Professor Peter Nzeemndu Uzoegwu

Reflections and recollections by Mrs Rose Okosi (Friend since 1961)

I met Kate Anagboso in 1961 when I was posted to PTC (Preliminary Teachers College), Ihiala. Kate had just completed her Teacher’s training and had taken up the post of Principal of the college. I was posted there to become her vice principal. We used to make fun of each other and laugh about our roles e.g. ‘Imagine you Katie a Principal of a college?’ or ‘Imagine you Rose, a vice principal!’. We were responsible for developing those who had finished their standard 6 and were preparing for teachers training. The college was located just next to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, Ihiala. I believe we were in the same compound. We had about 30 students at the time.

Kate and I got on very well from the start and we shared the lodgings provided by the school. Kate was very unassuming and calm and never got angry and we were like sisters. When we got paid our salaries, we would both set aside some money in a common kitty for household expenses and cooking together. We understood ourselves very well.

She was very loving and not troublesome. I used to tease your mum all the time. Sometimes I would tell her that she did not cook the way I liked, and she would not take offence but tell me to take over the cooking if I could not eat her food. There was a lot of sisterly banter all the time. She was aware when my husband came as a suitor at the time, and we discussed him in detail, and I had her endorsement. I left after a year and moved to Owerri to get married. Kate was there for the wedding. I had two daughters Anne and Rosemary before we had to travel abroad for my husband’s studies. Kate was godmother to my second daughter. We got back to Nigeria just before the war began in 1966. We have kept in touch ever since. She was a kind and gentle soul and always accommodating. She is surely resting in the bosom of the Lord.

Tribute to our dear Sister, sister-in-law and Auntie. 

Our dear sister, Kate, we little know that day God was to call your name. God's peace fallen upon your head and a taste of sorrow we have been fed. But we have hope that your sleeping will rise, as the Bible says, God will open their eyes. No suffering, sickness, yes not even pain, eternal life will you gain, Amen.
Having you in our lives, we have all been blessed. In life we loved you dearly, and in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone, as part of us went with you. Now the time has arrived for you to rest. We promise to cherish our beautiful memories you left us. Your love is still our guide, although we cannot see you, you are always at our side. We miss you dearly.
Our family is broken once again, and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one the chain will link again. It will not be forever; the day will come and then our loving arms will hold you when we meet again to part no more. In our hearts you hold a place no one could ever fill. May Almighty God rest your soul till we meet to part no more.

Dr and Mrs Joe Adimonye on behalf of Adimonye's family.

Chaiii! Mummy, it is with deep pains that I write. You are my second mother and mother of my best friend. Where do I start? You are a mother, my music teacher, a strict but very fair enforcer of moral discipline. You taught us the essence of punctual church attendance. You taught us humility and how to be humane.
What of the kitchen area? Your food was something else! Thank God for the opportunity to have you as our mother, teacher and mentor. You will forever live in our hearts!
And to my brothers Victor, Emeka and Ifeanyi mummy has gone on her final retirement. Daddy, take heart. God bless us all.
Mummy, continue to enjoy your retirement in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To all of us who passed through her, our mother and music teacher has gone to join the heavenly choir.

Mama, jee nke oma.

Tribute to Mum Kate Anagboso
I knew Mum years ago when I came to Nsukka newly with my family, when she was still strong. She was a very hardworking, simple, generous and cheerful woman ready to serve and help in events that can uplift human development. Though she was older we became close friends and family friends too. What I liked about her is that she was always ready to listen, learn and was always ready to give fraternal corrections calmly and with charity. She is a model of womanhood. This can be noticed from the way she looked after her family and brought up her children. I learnt a lot from her.
Her cheerfulness was outstanding throughout the period of her sickness till death. We used to have meeting with her once a month with some friends until the COVID-19 lock down. Whenever we visit, she will greet you with cheerfulness and smile and ask about our husband and children. I once told her that her cheerfulness was a means of apostolate for us and others who are moody when they are faced with little problems. She carried her cross very well without complaining about it to anybody. When the time came for her to go to her Creator she passed on peacefully. I want to use this opportunity to thank her husband and all who looked after her till death. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

To my beloved aunty. My mum's look alike. That at a point I saw her and thought I had seen my mum. Very dear to me even at here trying times was still taking care of us, oh dear. I just miss the fact that I never had the opportunity to see you these few years, I'm really very sorry. You have done well with those you left behind aunty. I thank God for I know you're in a better place.
   Rest in the bosom of the almighty aunty Cathy. Jah guide......

TO MY BELOVED SISTER, CATHERINE FROM ANNE EZELU ANUCHA

    Oh Katty! Is that how it ended after all? It never occurred to me that this sickness would still lead to death after all these years. I was thinking that God was leaving you with us to perform another healing miracle like that he did on you some years back. Even when I saw you last on your 50th wedding anniversary, you looked so well that my mind took me back to that miraculous healing you had then....
   Katty, you suffered so much, your husband too, even your children. We missed you so much at family gatherings though, nothing convinced me to believe you'll be taken away by this illness. I'm still seeing your gentle smiles and listening to your motherly advice like your were my elder.... You'll always remain fresh in our minds, my mind for we were closely linked to each other from when you were a baby. I was the one who took care of you as you, NANNY. That link had stayed on since then making it hard for me to accept this reality.
    Katty, I'm finding it difficult to say, Adieu. Goodbye is never easy to say especially when it's the almighty alone that knows when we'll meet again.
    Katty, may you rest in the bosom of the Lord where we shall meet at Jesus's feet to part no more.
    Adieu! Katty adieu!!
       
    Anne Ezelu Anucha and family.

Mummy Catherine will be surely missed. Her graceful movements as she taught us music in secondary school (University Secondary Schoop Nsukka), remains fresh in my mind. Every so graceful, calm, with a beautiful smile; she made learning and doing music so pleasant. I can't believe she is gone. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

You will be surely missed my highly talented,classy,graceful,thorough yet gentle piano lesson teacher.You gave me confidence on the piano and I would have been able achieve anything on the keyboard had I continued with my learning.
My memories of you are so beautiful. I thank the Lord for the life you lived and touched.May the Lord grant Uncle ,Ifeanyi and his brothers the strength to bear your passing.You remain in my hearts forever until we meet to part no more.

Mommy, you were such a gentle woman and so full of grace - even as you endeavored to teach us music at the University Primary School, UNN. You are greatly missed and we pray that Your Heavenly Father will console your family as only He can. Adieu, till we meet again.

Mama your good will, and kind heartednes has always been a blessing to us all, and will continue to shine through your children who in turn have also been blessed with these good virtues.
May Almighty God grant you eternal rest, and may his perpetual light shone upon you. Rest in peace
Amen

She is an epitome of joy, womanhood and a mother. She punctuated our lives with such colour, giving breath to our childhood dreams and encouraged us at our lowest ebbs. I remember with nostalgia, "THE NATIVITY STORY" that became an instant hit on campus.
Adieu, Nwanyioma,
Gaa nke oma Ugonwanyi
Ka nkpuruobi gi laa na ndokwa

My Music teacher, my Mother, my Mentor, my Inspiration. A MAESTRA to the core. That is what she was to me. To live in the hearts of those who love you is not to die, but to live forever...She lives!! I miss her smile but I am consoled that she left this world smiling, and she watches over us.             

An inspiring music teacher and a lady of honour, a perfect lady with a most blissful smile. Rest in peace and we will meet to part no more

Our loss is Haven's gain, the angelic choir has just added another to their rank. Rest in peace music teacher.

My dearest music teacher.......the epitome of sweetness. I was in music club, band and had private piano lessons with you. I have beautiful memories of your tutelage. You were firm and gentle. You taught me discipline and made me love music. You are a rare gem! And will be missed. You will forever live on in our hearts.
May your gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.

For me, you were my sweet music teacher, sweet mother, a wonderful friend (irrespective of the age difference) and most loving neighbour. You were mother to so many of us, too numerous to number. The one that made us realize the true meaning of music. I still remember our wonderful opera and Christmas carol performances then at the arts theatre. We do and will always love you, sweetest mum. May God bless your soul. Sleep tight till we meet to part no more.

Adieu Mama! God rest your beautiful soul. You have come, seen and conquered. You left a beautiful and solid legacy which have been imbibed by your children and many others.
May your soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in perfect peace. Amen!

I remember the last time I spoke to you Uncle on the phone and promised to come for a proper visit any time I was in Nsukka. Not only were you my Godparents you Aunty particularly took that duty to heart; frequently calling me to your office back then in University Secondary School Nsukka to provide your immensely helpful wise counsels.

I am so glad I got to see you and Uncle briefly when we came for the university primary school reunion and I join the family in mourning your passing and to pray for your peaceful repose. You were exemplary in every way and I celebrate your life and the immense impact you had on my formative years.

I pray for God’s comfort and strength on Uncle and the entire family, may your beautiful soul rest in the Lord’s bosom, Amen.

Dear Victor, please my most sincere condolences on the passing of your Mom. I remember Mrs Anagboso with very fond memories, she was my absolute favorite teacher in primary school and my most favorite childhood memories are all of time spent in her music room, it was my safe space and she was the best music, band and choir director ever. She's the one that taught me how to play the musical instruments I know how to play today, I used to look forward to all our band and choir practices because of her, so warm, so kind, so patient. Till date I remember all our choir songs, all our opera, plays & presentations - The Mikado, Tom Thumb, The Nativity play e.t.c. Till tomorrow, I still sing "gossip, gossip evil thing, much unhappiness it brings, if you can't say nothing nice, don't talk at all is my advice". Fantastic life lesson, delivered in song with a smile on her face that has stayed with me. I can't imagine the pain and loss to your family and to our community cos she was a Mother to all. May her beautiful soul rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord and may God console you all.

Mummy, I knew this day will come. I raced to be beside you and hold your warm hands one last time.
That was not to be.
Less than an hour to you, Emy called and asked "if I've heard?
You are no longer with us physically mum, but I feel your presence each and every day. There is no doubt in my mind you are in heaven. Your sweet smile even in death as you lay there on the afternoon of March 7th 2021 summarised how you totally submitted to God's will as ill health ravaged your body. Mummy you were graceful and grace filled. May God welcome you home till we meet again.
Love you always
Your son Victor Chudi Anagboso