MISS YOU MUMMY LYD. DIFFICULT TO FACE REALITY.  THANK YOU FOR MOTHERING ME. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.   OSI BOM .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Mummy, you reneged on your promise. Your father lived for a hundred and six years and you were supposed to beat that record by at least a year. And here you are, bowing out at just eighty seven plus years.

My aunty, my mother, mother of inestimable value, what will I do without you?
I knew Port Harcourt at all because you were here. I came and right away I had a home with you. I read my first course in school curtesy of your infuence. I had my first banking job curtesy of your infuence. When I needed a guarantor in the bank, you gladly and eagerly offered your house as security. When I would have known the insides of a Police Cell, curtesy of a troublesome caretaker, your very infuential presence saved me that horror!
My younger sister is teaching at Holy Rosary School today because you determined that she be there. The list is endless.

Mummy, you were larger than life. I learnt so much from you. There was no one you could not relate with. High or low, King or servant, you were comfortable. You were just beautiful, smart, charming Mummy.
No exalted office you could not enter. No goal you could not get. No help you could not render.
You left admirers everywhere you went and you were always grateful for every little thing that was done for you. Your prayer always was: "as you have done for me, so your children will do for you"

I will forever treasure the times I spent with you.
Your house was my unofficial family house in Port Harcourt. It was home to not just me but mine as well. Damilola would rather stop over there and spend the night than take the risk of not finding me at home when he came on holidays. I don't know what I'll do without it now you are gone.
I am just very glad that I had a bit of time to show you my gratitude, to say thank you. These last few years of constantly being in your company? I would never trade them for all the money in the world.
I love you so much Mummy and I'll miss you dreadfully.
But rest in perfect peace, in the bosom of the Lord. You deserve it.

OYENMWEN UDDOH.

Many thanks for the good times, my beloved Aunty Lydia. Your warm and youthful spirit will be missed. May your gentle soul rest in peace. Amen

Kaladindin

As we grieve the passing of Mommy Cookey, we should be consoled by the fact that she lived life to the “fullest”. Our elegant and hardworking Mommy Cookey did not believe in being idle and her life was well spent in service to God, her family and community. Being a Queen Bee, She believed that people should wake up at the crack of dawn and not sleep late into the morning as she was well known to ask “If you sleep all this sleep now, wetin you wan do when you die”?!
Mommy didn’t want tears at her passing but would rather be remembered for her love of life and be celebrated for the various ways she touched our lives. That’s exactly what we have been doing. We have all been recounting and laughing our hearts out at the “crazy” stories about her.
Mommy was a woman with a large heart. Everyone was welcomed at her home and she would give out of the little she had. An elegant and hardworking woman to the very end. Rest on Mrs. LS!!

Gloria Paul-Ebiai

My darling aunty, thank you so much for the hospitality and unconditional love, you and my cousins showed me when I came to stay all those years ago. I will cherish those memories forever. 

Love you aunty and always will. xxx

May Mummy’s soul rest in everlasting peace, Amen. Her legacy already lives on through the wonderful children she has raised and are raising theirs. May God comfort the families that have lost a rare gem as her life affected so many.
Bie and the entire families our prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
We love you. Please stay calm.
Salamatu Hussaini

Mummy was a very kind and warm woman who held everyone as her own. She will make me laugh and ask about my family all the time. I will miss her, but take comfort knowing she lived very well and those of us she left behind can carry the touch.
Rest in Peace Mummy.

My Mother, Father, Mentor, Protector, Champion, Critique My All!

Mother we knew this time will come but we are never ready to let go. I used to say that if I was half the mother you are I would be happy.
For 38 years of our lives you were mother and father to all of us including our friends and extended family. Through you I inherited the belief that anyone who steps into your house is a member of the family and must be fed no matter how little we had on the table.
You were the epitome of love and self-sacrifice going without many times if it meant we would eat. We grew up feeling that we could want for nothing and had plenty it was only in the last few years that we realized that you went without many a times to ensure our needs were met.
You thought us to always find room to provide for the less fortunate no matter our needs. Your home was always open to anyone who needed accommodation and in many cases they even slept on your bed.
In your lifetime you were dealt some blows which you weathered and moved on without complaining. You lost a husband, children, siblings, friends went through a hard-knock life but always came out new and improved. Your words were “I cannot complain about my life God has been kind to me”. To us your children you always prayed for us in Benin saying “what you are doing for me your children will do for you” and insisted we answered “Isen”.
Mummy this family cannot be the same without your wise counsel always on the side of peace at all cost. You were humble, kind, generous and never hesitated to apologise to your children if you felt you had upset us.
No matter how many times we talked you would always ask for your grandchildren and your son, Efe and more recently you would add take care of yourselves please.
Mummy there is a pain in my heart that I feel will never go away what will I do without you who has been a constant in my life? I know God will find a way to heal us.
Sleep till we meet again.
I love you so much.
For Efe, Myself, Dafe and Esiri our lives are better because you were a big part of it. We love you.
Bie Oputu
Daughter

To my dearest grandmother
The pain I felt as I cried myself to sleep the first night I heard the tragic news was unbearable. Grandma was the strongest woman I ever met and she taught me so much. I will always relive our memories in my head when I think of her.

She listened to me when no one else did. She gave me more love and affection than I could ever ask for. She was my confidant and she was always there for me when I needed her. She never judged me for the bad choices I made and she accepted me for who I was and all that I was no matter the circumstances. She trusted that I was more capable to succeed than I ever imagined. She believed in me when no one else did and that inspired me to be better everyday than I was yesterday.

She worked hard to provide for her children as a sole provider- she lived an accomplished and fruitful life. She was part of the board of directors at Brookstone School- she was a great leader and supporter.
I remember wishing she'd visit me at school every week just so I would receive a warm hug.

She was a blessing to this world and I am so graced to have experienced her presence on earth. She is now watching over me and giving me hope that there is so much more to look forward to in life.

As I sit here crying for the loss of my sweet and loving grandmother, I feel her presence and I am reassured that she is in better hands with God. I only pray that she sees me make her proud from up there. I will always have her in my heart so she is with me everywhere I go.

I love you so much grandma! I will miss you forever. Rest in perfect peace my Angel.

To my dearest grandmother,
Grandma you were a big part of my secondary school experience. You were on the board of directors for my school so you were on campus very often. If you couldn’t get to me you would give one of my friends gifts for me. You encouraged me that I could do whatever I set my mind to. Your immense kindness to everyone you met was part of the reason why my friends would run up to meet you every time they saw you. Days before you passed you kept a brave face. You were always concerned with the well-being of others. You spoke about all the meals you would make for us and how well you were doing. Even in your last moments you showed lots of strength. Now you’re with grandpa in heaven watching over all of us. We really do miss you grandma but you’re in a better place. Rest In Peace.
Love your grand daughter.

It is very sad to say our goodbyes! On behalf of my mother Rosetta Cookey and I, I say adieu my lovely aunty for now, until we meet again. 
My mother and I are still very devastated over the news of your demise. My childhood memories of aunty were, how motherly she was to me, my late siblings and the entire Cookey's compound children in Opobo during the Christmas holidays and in Port Harcourt. She was soft spoken, lovely, welcoming, caring, our direct opposite neighbor in Opobo Town. We hangout in each others homes a lot. Aunty, knew me by name, she was literally always present whenever we exchanged pleasantries. As a child and more so as an adult and now a mother, I appreciate such love more than anything else. You will be missed my lovely aunty but will remain forever in our hearts!!!

I’m not too sure what to say so I’ll keep it brief.
It’s painful to know that my grandmother is gone and I won’t be able to see or hug her again.
I’m still coming to terms with this - I don’t think I’m ok yet.
But I know I eventually will be, and that helps.
I’ve had to learn to be ok with feeling sad, even though it’s terrifying.
The pain feels never-ending and exhausting.
It won’t last forever and my storm of emotions will settle.
I will always love my grandmother, and nothing can change that.
And that’s all that really matters at the end of the day.
That’s the point of family and relationships and connections - love.
It is supposed to transcend life and death.
Something intangible and mighty that has no borders or expiration.
And so I find comfort knowing that the love we had for each other has existed and will always exist. I will hold on to that feeling of love.

I don’t think I’m ok yet, but I know I will be. I loved my grandmother and I know she loved me fiercely.

So I will move on and live life fiercely and with love.

Thank you Madam. You were always so kind to me as my teacher in Holy Rosary Secondary School. You saw through my naughty, yet harmless mischief and you were always ready to give me the benefit of doubt and an easy way of escape. Even when you cautioned, the chastising was always accompanied with a warm smile and that ever present twinkle in your eyes - the way only a loving mother would. THANK YOU. Your foot print on earth will forever be a light to the lives you've touched. MAY YOUR KIND SOUL FIND PERFECT REST ⚘

You were such an awesome mother in law to me...the love you showed us was like no other. You loved us all with your warm and kind loving heart.
Thank you mummy... for being strong, for sharing love to everyone who met you. You have left a great void in our lives but We are consoled with the fact that you are watching over us from heaven.
I move forward emulating your strength, fierce sense of pride, generosity, sensitivity and great humor.
May the light of our best memories guide you on your way... Rest in peace mummy
Love always Teejay

Grandma was a caring, kind and loving person. I really miss her. It really hurts that I cant see or talk to her anymore. I love you loads Grandma. Rest in peace
Adrian Cookey

My grandma, she was so wonderful she was the best grandma I could ever wish for. She had the best and biggest smile always. She always made me happy whenever I saw her. I love you Grandma
Rest in peace.
Ambila Cookey

You were an amazing and adorable Grandma. Thank you for everything you did and for loving me. I miss you so so much.
Rhema Cookey

Mummy, Mimsies,Mrs LS as I fondly call her was my rock. As a kid I was always by her side hence my nickname Mummy’s handbag ,friends visiting the house for the first time in a matter of minutes started calling her “Mummy” because she was a Mother to all no matter your background. To say she was kind and thoughtful is an understatement she always went out of her way to help everyone. Even after losing my “Daddy”at a young age my Mom raised all 5 of us single handed she worked hard to take care of us it wasn’t easy but she always made sure we lacked for nothing she was very industrious . Honesty and decency were her watch words . I have lost a large potion of myself I feel incomplete memories of you are now treasures I hold dear I love you Mummy your Grand children miss you but God’s wisdom is infinite I know how close you were to God am sure you are up in heaven looking down on us here crying and saying why are we crying I am here am happy but the pain is a lot to bear till we met to part no more I love you Mummy.

One of the last things my grandmother said to me was that she didn’t want to die. We didn’t think she would, she was healthy, mobile, and full of plans. My grandmother was 87 and had lived a long life. Many people would say she lived a full life. She’d seen and done so much, travelled, learned more languages than anyone I knew. She’d raised children and cared for her grandchildren as they grew up. But there was so much more to see and do.

I don’t think any of us really lives a “full” life. Death is always a tragedy for the ones who leave and those left behind. It hurts to refer to my grandmother in the past tense, but it hurts because she loved us, and we loved her.

TRIBUTE TO A WORTHY SISTER/MUMMY/CONFIDANT

Sisterly, before you became a professional teacher, you already possessed the qualities of managing not a small cubicle family like ours but a nation. Praise be to Jesus.
Apart from your teaching experience, organization of a good family structure and home are also part of your natural skill.

You were our matriarch since 1993 MOTHERS left us and you never one day fell short of being a mother to all who came to you. Anybody who had the privilege to come in contact with you will always testify of how accommodating and benevolent you are. To say we will miss you would be saying the least as you are irreplaceable without doubt.

We take consolation in knowing you are resting with the rest of the family in heaven and we all will feast one day as a happy family.
Heaven has gained an angel and we are left with the beautiful memories we all have of you.
Rest in peace Sisterly, till we meet to part no more.


Charles Newman Uddoh
For the family.

MY TRIBUTE TO MUMMY

My earliest clear memory of you I hold till now, is of me coming back from school at 3 or 4 years old with my report card for the term and I had come out first position, you were seated at the dining table eating moi-moi but as soon as I ran in shouting 'Mummy I came first', you jumped up in excitement and hugged me and gave me the rest of your plate to finish up your food. Your love for everyone who knew you was nothing short of perfect, a perfect balance of spoiling and straightening out. A mother in the every sense of the word.
Thank you for all you ever did for me, that foundation is what I stand solidly on today.
I am grateful to God that you lived a very long and fulfilled life.
Continue to rest Mummy, till we meet on the last day.

Ivie 'Dayons'