Love XXXX
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, M.E. Muoneke 83 years old , born on March 27, 1935 and passed away on March 11, 2019. We will remember her forever. She was a woman of commitment and devotion of all things she invested her time in. She is survived by her 6 children, 4 girls and 2 boys and other close relatives and in-laws. She had a passion for education that one could not deny. Education was her life and she did everything in her surviving days to make sure she showed it. She was most recognized for being a Head Mistress of Ekulu Primary school in the 1970's. In the 1980's, she was the Head Mistress of University Primary School. Lastly, she was the Proprietress of the School of Infant Jesus & Mary.
Tributes
Leave a tributeLove XXXX
You will truly be forever be missed! No need for all the glow-in-the-dark crosses and chaplets that filled your bedroom! You are there now, dancing on streets of gold...., in the presence of our Lord and Saviour!
Much love and precious memories from me!....one of your countless loving children!
It's been so long that you 'travelled'....never to return. I still wish the first part was the case and the last part a lie...but who are we to question our Almighty, whose love for you remains supreme?!
In your walk here on earth, you impacted more lives than thousands of fingers could ever count! The love for you by one and all would also be countless if converted to currency! I can only thank you for the fact that I am among the multitude that knew you as 'Mama'. I can only thank you for being among my life-shapers and inspirers. I can only thank you for all the wonderful seeds you sowed in me that never stop germinating and blossoming!
Thank you, Mama, for the gift of Lota. She remains a stand-alone part of my life that defies all known odds, including time and space...
I love you, Mama. Indeed, you will be forever missed!
- Your 'other' mentee, protegée, pupil, fan and daughter,
- Nini. xoxo ❤
The foundation you gave to us all kids who've passed through the University Primary School is second to none, you are class personified and I am immensely proud to have been molded by you.
Rest in power.
Mama, I will never stop being thankful to you for all you instilled in me, for your love......the joy in your eyes whenever we met....that made me feel so loved, and privileged to be loved by you!
We are doing well, Mama. The kids are growing and blossoming in the knowledge and ways of the Lord....into fine ladies and gentlemen that you would have been so proud of....
Lota has continued to be a rock.....a sweetheart with a sweet heart.... One reason I am happy that I am done with having kids at hers is because you wouldnt be there to be among the first to hold the baby....
Mama, I know you are at peace now, simply resting to rise first with the dead in Christ at the sound of the trumpet....
Rest on, Mama. Rest on.
Love unending,
Nini.
Thank you for turning little children into the responsible adults we claim to be today!!
Adieu Ma!!
Rest in Peace, Legend!
I COUNT MYSELF AS ONE OF THOSE WHO WERE PRIVILEGED TO ENJOY HER CONVERSATIONS AND REMINISCES ON LIFE IN HER LATER YEARS. I ENJOYED HER CALM COUNSEL, FILLED WITH INSPIRATION AND GOOD CHEER. DESPITE HER EXPERIENCES IN LIFE, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, AFTER OVER 4 DECADES ON THIS EARTH, HER VIEW OF LIFE WAS THAT OF GRATITUDE, UNDERSTANDING AND FULFILLMENT!
DESPITE HER OLDER FEEBLE STEPS, WITH HER VOICE THAT WAS ALWAYS A SOFT, BUT FIRM WHISPER, SHE MADE SURE THAT MY VISITS WERE TREASURES TO REMEMBER. SHE TOLD ME ONCE THAT LIFE THROWS ALL KINDS OF CURBS AT YOU, SOME EXPECTED, MANY UNEXPECTED. SHE SAID THAT WHEN LIFE THROWS PAINS WHICH SEEM UNBEARABLE, IT IS ONLY YOUR FAITH AND HOPE THAT KEEP YOU STANDING, BUT IN TIME, YOU COME TO REALIZE THAT YOU ARE REALLY HELPLESS, BUT FOR THOSE TWO, FAITH & HOPE, THE BACKBONE FOR SURVIVING LIFE’S ROLLER COASTER RIDE!
AS A LITTLE GIRL, GROWING UP IN ENUGU, I KNEW HER AS AUNTIE EMMIE. MY MOM, WHO WAS HER CLASSMATE IN THEIR TEACHER TRAINING TEENAGE DAYS, (BEING A TEACHER OR NURSE, WAS THE PROFESSION OF CHOICE FOR YOUNG GIRLS WITH PEDIGREE OF THEIR TIMES) FONDLY CALLED HER, BY HER FULL NAME, WHICH SOUNDED SO ELEGANT IN MY EARS, “EMMIE BROWN”, THOUGH SHE WAS MARRIED THEN. WE LOVED TO SEE HER, BECAUSE IN OUR EYES, SHE REPRESENTED CLASS, ELEGANCE, AND STYLE. THERE WERE A FEW OF THEM WHO WERE CLASSMATES, WHO MARRIED WELL AND HAD THEIR TEAM OF ENVIABLE LIFESTYLE, MAINTAINING THEIR ELEGANT PHYSIQUES, DESPITE HAVING CHILDREN AND SHOWING OFF AT SPORTS CLUB AND OTHER PLACES.
WITH THE BURDEN OF RAISING CHILDREN, MANY MOMS CHOSE TO STAY HOME, BUT AUNTIE EMMIE CONTINUED TO PURSUE HER LOVE OF TEACHING AND GROOMING LEADERS OF TOMORROW. KNOWN BY MOST KIDS ONLY AS MRS. MUONEKE, SHE FELT A PERSONAL VOCATION AND CALLING TO RAISING GOOD CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY, GIVING THEM THE BACKGROUND OF A SOLID PRIMARY EDUCATION. THERE ARE NOT MANY CHILDREN WHO GREW UP IN ENUGU, WHO DID NOT BENEFIT FROM HER COMMITMENT DEDICATION AND TUTELAGE, FROM EKULU PRIMARY SCHOOL, TO UNIVERSITY PRIMARY SCHOOL AND FINALLY HER OWN ENDEAVOR, SCHOOL OF INFANT MARY AND JESUS.
IT IS WITH AUNTIE EMMIE THAT I REALIZED THE TRUTH TO SHAKESPEARE’S STATEMENT IN MACBETH: “THERE IS NO ART TO FIND THE MIND’S CONSTRUCTION IN THE FACE…”. I SAY SO BECAUSE DESPITE HER OBVIOUS HEAD TURNING LOOKS AND ELEGANCE OF THOSE DAYS, DEEP DOWN, SHE WAS A PHILOSOPHER QUEEN. SHE HAD BOTH BEAUTY AND BRAINS, AS WELL AS, DEEPLY PRAYERFUL.
THE ELEGANT MRS. EMMIE BROWN MUONEKE, ALSO LOVED HER HUSBAND PASSIONATELY AND THEY LEFT A TRAIL OF INTELLECTUALLY BLAZING CHILDREN, EACH ACCOMPLISHED IN HER/HIS OWN RIGHT AND PROFESSION, BOTH IN NIGERIA AND ABROAD. I FEEL PRIVILEGED TO CALL THEM FRIENDS AND JOIN THEM TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF THEIR MOTHER, A GREAT WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE, WHO WAS SUBTLE ABOUT HER ACHIEVEMENTS. AS THE LAST OF THE GENERATION OF OUR PARENTS PASS AWAY, WE LOOK BEHIND US TO SEE AND FEEL THE HOLLOWNESS OF THEIR ABSENCE. WE ARE TRULY OVERWHELMED BY THE QUALITY OF THE LIVES THEY LIVED AND THE SACRFICES THEY MADE TO MAKE GOOD OF US.
THANK YOU AUNTIE EMMIE FOR YOUR LIFE OF SERVICE TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS. THANK YOU FOR THE MANY WORDS OF COUNSEL AND WISDOM YOU SHARED WITH GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN. THANK YOU YOUR LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. MAY THE ALMIGHTY RECEIVE YOU SOUL AND GIVE YOU A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE PARADISE OF THE GOOD. FAREWELL UNTIL WE SEE IN YOUR NEW CLASS OF GLORY!
WITH LOVE AND RESPECT…LORETTA ANIAGOLU
I have pontificated on the ugliness of the name while thanking God my forefathers changed it to Amu.
Anyway my thoughts led me to the fact that poor did not mean financial poverty but a person in lack of goodness and mercies.
Afterall the wickedness in high places and evil Practitioners here death saw it fit to take my rich Aunty Emi!!!!!!
Aunty was rich in love. My aunt was a billionaire in love. She was too quick to forgive. I cannot remember a day when I heard her voice raised in anger. You may call her a politician as many did...she was simply an epitome of God's love.
Aunty was stupendously rich in grace....an elegance flowed from her. From her dress to her makeup to her eloquence. Her table manners and her smile. Her peace loving nature and her easy steps. It was for me a reminder that God's grace is sufficient for His followers.
Aunty was wealthy in mind and body. Of a sound mind was she. Who can doubt her ability as a teacher when almost all her children ended up as doctors and architects....well with one or two lawyers.....
My aunty was richly blessed with Abraham's blessings ....see Vivian, Emeka, Maureen, Ifeoma, Ofunne, Ugonna, and Lota....a nation of wisdom born to my aunt.
I won't be greedy. I wont take up space. Suffice it to say "Lord I thank you for the Matriarch of the Brown family you graced us with. A mother, wife, teacher, administrator, per excellence. She was the best gift of heaven to us."
As you journey into eternity Aunty, know that the Lord fulfilled His word in your life....you were a tree planted by the riverside that bore fruits in and out of season and watered by the living springs of the Holy Spirit. Richly blessed were you my Aunty. Richly to be blessed in eternity. The sojourn on earth is over. VICTORY is yours and now a beautiful rest well earned is your portion.
Aunty, Chukwu di ebube. His mercy is upon you. Your children do not know poverty or shame. They toi have been watered by tour goodness. Don't look back. Go on sweetest Aunty Emi.
Rest well my beautiful aunty. Rest well and know you live on in all our hearts.
Femi Giwa-Amu on behalf of the SIO GIWA-AMU family
Sleep on mom for yours is a celebration of life. One word for you, quintessential.
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Who knows this great lady?
Who knows where she's gone?
Who else knows my pain,
As she too was another Mum.
In Primary school she represented
Discipline, love and excellence
And today we can proudly say
Countless of us are the evidence.
From Enugu to Isseke to Atlanta
Mama held a huge spot in my heart
Who knows this great lady?
Oh! How deeply I am torn apart!
Nini Okey-Uche
13th March, 2019
Rest in peace, Mama. Our love for you will never die!.......Ah!....but this news sliced my heart, shaaaaaa!
.....Mama was more than a headmistress to me... She was family. Every time I had sleep-overs at theirs when we were kids, Lota and I always slept with 'Mama' in her room. I'll never forget being freaked out over the fact that literally everything was a glow-in-the-dark figure of Virgin Mary, a chaplet, some saint or Christ Himself...so when the room lights went off, 50 different 'lights' sprang on!
At a point, their home was even like a pilgrimage spot in Enugu as Mama saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in one wing of the house...!
When I had Jay-Jay in 2003, it was in Lota's place in Atlanta and Mama was one of the first to cradle him....... Or was it when I had Nkenso in 2012, ..... Mama was my special special house-mate at Lotas'.....I had ears, eyes, time and hugs for her. She would give the same gist over and over again sometimes....but to me, it would be new each time and I would sit lovingly rapt as she reeled...
For a long time, we have known this day would come sooner than later...but can we ever really be 'prepared' or 'ready' to lose a loved one???
My heart goes out to all the Muonekes,....(chief amongst whom is my sister of inestimable value - Lota), who are now orphans.... May the Lord strengthen them and heal their hearts. May He manifest Himself mightily and fill the voids created....May 'Mama's' remarkable soul rest in peace...as her legacy lives on for ever!❤
Mama...'loved you then and always will.
Your 'other daughter',
Nini Okey-Uche ....and her clan.
New York
USA
She was a great administrator, I can so freely attest to that.
May her soul rest in perfect peace!
I don't think any parent in Enugu when she held sway as Head Mistress, could claim not to have heard her name.
I am happy to say that I am one of the kids she helped raise and much better off for it.
Rest in peace Mama with thy God.
As Christians we won't mourn without hope. Our consolation is that she did not die Christless.
Even though I didn’t attend any of your schools, I first met you as Lota’s mum, when we were in secondary school in FGGC Onitsha when you visited Lota.
Lota is my very good friend, and after secondary school we both went to medical school in UNN (Enugu campus) and you were still there for us as a mother.
I remember when you arranged an extra tuition in pharmacology only for Lota and I, to make sure we passed that subject.
Also whenever I visited Lota in Atlanta and you were around, we used to always go shopping together. You were very fashionable and you were conversant with all the latest fashions. I still have the lovely handbag that we bought together ,as you pointed out to me then , that was the latest in fashion at the time.
I will not forget that when I came from UK , to Atlanta to have my baby Zara in 2010, you were also there, you were the first to visit me in the hospital after I had the baby. As can be seen in the photos posted.
Mama, you will be truly missed by all. May you gentle soul rest in peace.
Vikki
A phenomenal epitome of finesse , rectitude and scholarship.
Your footprints of great legacy to uncountable many , Aunty , remain ETCHED in the annals of history. We shall miss and mourn you huge , but best , as Christians .
So , adieu Aunty, and do rest in the bossom of the Lord , IJMN , we pray, amen.
.....Just another quiet tap on all our doors with the imperative command of "Living Humbly Ready" , by HIS grace , as someday , definitely someday , breathe shall inescapably cease and we account on Divine endowments.
For you, it was not just about going to school, it was about learning and being educated and educate us, you did.
You taught us the love of Christ early even when we did not quite get it.
You sowed great seeds and they are scartered the world over.
Thank you for all the work you did.
You are one never to be forgetten.
May the Lord Grant you soul eternal rest and let His perpetual light shine upon you.
Adieu Mrs. Moneke
We love you mummy and you will forever be in our hearts.
May your soul rest in perfect peace.
Amen
Whose work was certainly on schedule
Oh! She is an enlightened soul
Preparing us for the future was her goal.
To me she was more like a mother
She was better than any other
She worked so hard day and night
She made University Primary School Enugu future bright.
There was mysticism in her eyes
She was so calm, so wise
There was serenity on her face
Symbolic of simplicity and grace.
She supported us with encouraging words
Her voice as sweet as chirping birds
She gave us freedom to have fun
And helped us show our talents to everyone.
Many a times she had to scold
But that was because she wanted us to be bold
She helped us mould our attitude
For her our hearts full of gratitude.
She taught us how important its to pray
She helped us when we forgot our way
She motivated us to make full use of our potential
She felt physical training was very essential.
She has a special place in our heart
How beautifully she played her part
We say that she is the best
Better than all the rest!!!
Adieu Ma.
...............Arinze Chukwuemeka Okeke Gerald (Class of '88).
Quite tender, young and innocent we all were back then, Yet could relate and still appreciate her passion for excellence in education and the high standards set by her as an administrator of the school across the board.
Her poise, tutelage and competitive zeal for winning propelled us to the several winning positions our school’s matching troop attained then, both at the sports stadium and polo field back in the day!
Sweet memories!!!
A beautiful, Elegant, Classy, Fashionable, Education Legend, who was always in her stilettos is gone!!!
May the Lord grant her eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear this colossal loss Amen!
-Nneka Onyemelukwe Okoye
You were a mother to me and a wonderful headmistress who taught me how to excel to great heights in school. You will be greatly missed and I know Mummy will having a blast with you in heaven. RIP, Great woman of God.
My family and I pay tribute to you....
Truly elegant and regal in bearing. Your life shaped generations of young Enugu boys and girls and I hope you got a chance to hear how much of a difference you made in so many lives
I had the opportunity to be mentored by your son Ugonna at work and am proud to acknowledge him as boss and big brother, strong and resourceful, intelligent and resilient; he is a good man in any storm
Good night Mrs Muoneke, may your family be comforted
You were educated not on the surface but also deep within( an educationist par excellence)
You were a moralist but also truly a love of Christ the proofs are written all over your life ( deeply spiritual)
You were a conservative but also a fashionista, your dressing woo and wowed lots of people ( your combinations where just incredibly perfect )
You were beautiful both inside and outside, it was clear for all eyes to see....
And today........"Aunti" as I remembered calling you, we shall miss you immensely but we talk solace knowing you rest with the one you love so very much, Jesus
Adieu Aunty rest on in the bosom of your Maker !
Adieu Ma!
Aunty closer than blood;you were a personal person to the family, a counsellor,a teacher,our instructor,you stood up for me..you encouraged me uncountable times..that morning you passed on,you came to mind,I thought it strange,thought of calling my mum to ask after you,then 2days later I heard this. I wish I had seen you in your last days. You shall always remain blessed in our hearts..We will always Love you mama.
beautiful. You did not in anyway settle for less and that made the school quite enviable at the time. We were the best in all - 'Morning Information', match-past, debates and quizzes. These were achieved as a result of your underlying effort. Your aura and impact was so evidently visible even to the blind in the school. You had time for every parent, pupil and indeed all the teachers. You were never discriminatory and never failed to strongly reprimand where necessary without fear or favour.
It's really amazing how some memories just stick!
I remember very well your tactful intervention when i was given an overboard punishment by my class teacher in primary four. This was more than thirty five years ago. My dad lodged the complaint and you instantly stood up to it and did the needful.
I have always remembered you and wondered where you've been on earth. It would have been better celebrating you in life or probably dropping these lines as a birthday wish. However, life is full of circumstances and opportunities do not come so often.
Therefore, at this very moment ma, I wish you a safe journey to our maker, Our Lord Jesus Christ. You have made great impact on several lives and the best gift i can offer you now is my continuous prayers.
May your soul rest peacefully. Amen. God bless you and your lineage.
Chinyelu Chukwuemeka (nee nebuwa).
you will surely be missed.
You will always be remembered in our hearts for your great leadership..RIP Ma..
Leave a Tribute
Love XXXX
Tribute to my Aunty. Mrs Emi Muoneke nee Brown
Death knocks at our door daily with out any fear neither favour. So it is in our native language my surname Amu comes from the word "Aimulogire" which means "death is not only for the poor man".
She was a visionary who shaped our future
Mrs. Muoneke was visionary in everything she did. Her standards are yet to be exceeded. From “Little King so fair and sweet, see us gather round thy feet,” we sang at assemblies to St. Paul’s teaching on charity, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have no love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...” we had to memorize, she educated not only our minds but our souls. She made her schools the benchmark for academic achievement with rigorous standards and a well rounded curriculum. No detail was ever overlooked, I remember when she wanted to form her UPS Enugu music band, she took us on several trips with Mr. Ukwuani to our sister school, UPS Nsukka, where the music teacher there, Mrs. Umeh, diligently brought us up to speed. She taught by example, she applauded success and shunned mediocrity. We were an extension of her vision of reaping a better tomorrow by sowing the right seeds today.
What you do for yourself dies with you but what you do for others remains and is immortal. Mrs. Muoneke lives on in our minds and in our prayers.
May the angels bear herup on the breath of dawn