From the nine children of late Mr. Felix, M. and Mrs. Gertrude, N. Enu, Matron Franca Ifudu came 5th and 3rd among the six girls. She was very pretty, in fact the most beautiful of us females. As a child, Franca was very fragile, succulent and gentle. Mama and Papa believed that she was somehow premature, so they always give her some sort of malt syrup to drink. Franca hated the syrup, while we were always clamoring for it and encouraged her to give us some to take on her behalf, which she willing did. Franca was too soft and kind and would not want any of her siblings to be flogged or scolded and so she always challenged our parents anytime they want to discipline us. Normally, mama and papa will not want to hurt her as she might fall sick they thought, so we always took advantage of the situation whenever she was around.
Franca was endowed with many qualities; she was as intelligent as she was beautiful; very generous and a benefactor too many. She lived a very descent life. She never meddled with men. She never visited her husband until they wedded. I used to tell her that she is a nun that never was. Anyone who knows Franca will agree that she was a living saint. She helped all that sought for her help including her enemies. For Nka there is no enemy as would always find some reasons to forgive the person.
Nka we can’t ever forget you. Was it your kindness to my daughter who even had a misunderstanding with you and yet you forgave her and were still ready to assist her; What of your hospitality to us when Amy and I visited US in 2009. I cannot forget your assistance to us. You even accommodated us in your apartment. What of my eyes; you didn’t believe the Retinologist in Manhattan, US who after examination of my eyes, said that I would never see with my eyes again. You gave me hope and took me to another physician in your hospital. Nka, without you I would have been blind today, but here I am typing this tribute; Thanks to you and your family. What of mama, my other siblings and I will forever be grateful to you for the way you took care of Mama. I wonder who will be able to wear your shoe in this direction. May God help us. I can go on and on, but space and time do not permit. This was why it was very painful to hear that you were no more. Franca, I was waiting for an opportunity to repay you for all you did for me and my family but DEATH! OH DEATH! you beat me to it. I prayed that God will spare your life, I begged the Blessed Virgin Mary but they failed me. Well of late, I read a lot about cancer disease and I got to believe that the Omniscient God that knows it all did not want you to stay alive and suffer for you were one person who wouldn’t want to make others unhappy. We will take solace in the fact that God took you to give you a better life in Heaven. So;
MY SISTER, SLEEP WELL IN THE BOSOM OF THE LORD,
ADIEU! ADIEU! ADIEU! MR LOVELY SISTER
TILL WE MEET AGAIN.
Dr. Gertrude-Theresa Uzoamaka Chiaha