Aunty Stella (Da Chinuru) was the first granddaughter of our grandmother Juliana Nwachirinma Benson Ejelonu (Nee Igbokwu-Uchendu). Her parents were Papa Joshua and Mama Regina Onyemachi from Umuawa-Alaocha Umuahia. She is survived by 4 children (Kelechi, Nnenna, Obinna and Ojinika), 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 2 aunts, many paternal cousins/nephews/nieces, and many maternal cousins/nephews/nieces from: the Okafor’s family in Abagana Anambra State, the Matthew-Nwosu’s family in Isiama-Afara Umuahia-Ibeku, the Ezekiel Agomo’s family in Umuokehi Umuahia, the Kaleb-Shelleng’s family here in London, and the Joe Ndumele’s family in Amaeke Umuahia-Ibeku. It’s difficult to describe what she meant to all of us in 5 minutes or a page of tribute.

Da Chinuru played different roles in our lives. For some us she was a sister, a mother, a cousin, a confidant, and best friends whose hearts were bound together by the love of our family. She made each of us feel like we were number one. Da Chinuru attended Ohuhu Community Secondary School, and during that time she lived with our grandmother. She articulated and demonstrated lots of best family jokes, and of course knew some family secrets. There was never a dull moment with her. Her presence lit up a room with smiles and very special dancing moves. Da Chinuru was someone to laugh with, and also someone to pray with. She used one hand nurtured and cared for her children, and the other hand fenced her siblings. She was very generous to anyone who knew her; helped other people she came across that needed assistance with patience, grace, and humility.

This is a season of deep grief, a grief that at times feels unyielding. However, as a family we must also find a way to allow it to become a time of sincere gratitude. If we are to negotiate the grips of pain that lead to despair, our grief must learn to surrender to gratitude. If there is to be healing and hope or the possibility of “shattered expectations” being redeemed, we must find, amid the pain, things for which we can say “thank you.”Da Chinuru, thank you for giving your heart to us and trusting us with yours. Thank you for walking beside us and for wanting all of us at your side. Thank you for making us smile and smiling along with us. Thank you for being who you are and for helping us to be ours.

To my nephews and Nieces, you were your mom’s joy and pride. Nnenna took her on vacation to different parts of the world. She testified and praised God for all of you. The same God your mother served faithfully guided her through rigorous storms of life will also protect you from the eye of the storm. At this moment, you must ask yourselves, how does God enter the middle of the story and change the ending? How do you make meaning so that something you could describe as catastrophic instead becomes a season of growth and change? How can you see even in death an opportunity for new life?

To the rest of our family, the bible does not teach us to pursue physical comfort but encourages us toward resilience and perseverance. We are asked to hold hope in the middle of despair. We can only do this by taking in the larger story of God and allowing it to re-story our narrative of now, not as people who have denied or avoided pain, but as those who have found God in the midst of it.

Our hearts aches in sadness, and tears still flows. Da Chinuru, your transition left a huge vacuum. Even though you are gone, your love and STAR will always be here to stay.What it meant to lose you no one will ever know. Goodnight my sweet Da Chinuru (Nwachirinma Original as fondly called); I will see you in the Eastern morning on the other side!

Dr. Helen Chinedum Agomo

Ohuhu Community Development UK deeply morns the loss of our dear sister Stella Aguocha. We are going to miss you, your smile, your dancing, your laughter, and everything else that makes you unique. We never thought we would lose you so soon, but who are we to question our God.

On behalf of Ohuhu Community Development UK, we send our condolences to her children and family. Gone but never forgotten.

May her soul rest in perfect peace.

Several years ago, I travelled to London during an extremely difficult time in my life. Nnenna, my sister and one of my closest friends, offered for me to stay at her Mom’s house while I was there. Although I had never met Auntie Stella before then, she took me in with open arms, nurtured me, cooked for me (those plantains are unforgettable!), and just made me feel so loved. I was so amazed by her concurrent strength, her warmth, and her loving, bright spirit. And the way she adores her children was so evident at every moment. I will never forget that experience, and I am eternally grateful for her. Auntie Stella, your body may have left us, but your spirit remains omnipresent. Wewill continue
to hold your children with as much fervor as you did. Thank you for your beautiful contribution to this earth. We know you are dancing, smiling, and shining as brightly as ever. 
Rest Well.
Love, Adaeze Adigweme

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:8

To My Stellar Aunty Stella,

This was the aunt who loved like a mother no matter if you were her children or not. My dearest aunt, what a blessing and privilege it was to have you as a part of our family. I have never seen you without a bright smile. You were so beautiful, warm and loving. You would always check in on where I was in life and would assure me that no matter how good or bad things were, the best was yet to come.

Aunty Stella you have left a remarkable legacy here on earth. Know that you will never be forgotten and always loved by all of us in the family. I was so privileged to have you as a very special aunt that meant so very much to me. You were at the precipice of what a good Christian should be. If only we could have you here longer, your time here felt so short. I am so grateful that some day I will see you again and get to spend eternity drinking shandigui with you, Papa Joe, and everyone else watching over us from heaven. Before I conclude, I would like to write a poem for you:

In the days, months and years that lie ahead,
When we talk about how things used to be,
Some will say this, some will say that
But on the following, we’ll have to agree:
Our aunt was godly, wise, and fun;
The best sister, homemaker, and friend;
And in the hearts of her nieces and nephews,
She’ll be stellar from now till the end. Goodbye Aunt!

Sincerely,

Chiedozie Nicholas Ogbonna

How does one express the amazing essence and spirit of Stella, her selfless generosity, uncompromising belief in all that is good and her unwavering commitment to family, friends and especially with her work in helping and supporting homeless families is inspirational. 

I have known Stella since 2016 when I joined the Council, and I remember my first few weeks as Stella took me under her wings and showed me the ropes and supported me in my early days, and lifted me up when I was down with her smile, her infectious laugh and unique sense of humour, and most importantly her dancing....I miss your dancing in the office. 

Stella’s generosity would extend not only through her acts of kindness but with her cooking !! Stella would cook her special Jollof rice and feed the whole office, bringing in fruits, sweets, cakes and was known as the “feeder” of the team. I miss your cooking.

Words, even the very best of words, cannot pay tribute or truly capture the sense of loss that we are all feeling.

The loss is there, tangible and real within everyone…but Stella exemplified life, love, laughter and an irrepressible belief and faith in seeing the best in everything and in everyone.

And so today we honor Stella, by profoundly feeling and expressing our loss, but also by remembering Stella, an amazing person who has played a unique and special role in all of our lives.

We remember Stella as a mother, sister, friend, colleague and much more….we will all miss you Stella xx RIP my friend 

Thanks for being my Mother who raised me, my Mommy when I was hurt, and my best-friend with whom I shared everything with. I am unsure of my words because we were always honest with each other when we spoke. We never missed an opportunity to tell each other we loved each other, but we often laughed, and cried within the same conversation. I have accepted the fact you're not physically here but we will continue to have our conversations. I love you and I will keep your memory alive until we meet again by God's Grace.

Save some muffins and tea for me.