Goodnight Beloved Aunty Theresa ❤
It is difficult when a person we love dies. Even when we know they are in a better place, the ache and emptiness of loss is still there. It is even more difficult when that person is part of many beautiful memories in our lives.
We remember our beloved Aunty Theresa with much fondness. Though she was our uncle’s wife, we had a personal relationship with her. She was our own; our second mother. Aunty took care of us that way.
Growing up, Aunty made Christmas very memorable. She was very generous and would bring lovely gifts at Christmas and each time she visited us at home in Owerri. She taught us songs in Efik and made us reenact the Christmas story. Her home in Onitsha was our favorite holiday destination. There, we felt at home, and welcome. We looked forward to those vacations.
Aunty was our sister Uchechi’s godmother and took that role very seriously. She bought Uche clothes, shoes, hats, and various gifts every Christmas and would proudly announce that “Uche is my goddaughter”. Uche was in turn very proud to be her goddaughter and would show off her gifts with delight.
Aunty was health conscious. Long before wellness and fitness coaches became fashionable, Aunty was expertly planning and serving healthy and well-balanced meals. Her jellof rice, chin chin, English trifle (a dessert), and other dishes were superb. She was particular about good manners and dining etiquette. She ensured that everyone was considerate and promptly corrected anyone who took more than their fair share of the goodies.
Aunty Theresa was beautiful, poised, and elegant. Yet she was humble, warm, kind, and welcoming. She gave the warmest hugs, and her smile lit up the room. We learned so much just watching her. She was a loving, dutiful, patient, and peaceful wife. She was a devoted mother, a loving aunt, an exceptional nurse, and so much more. She was always calm regardless of the circumstance.
Aunty was a devout Christian, an encourager who sent prayers and Bible verses for each situation and spoke reassuring and comforting words. She believed in the efficacy of prayer and the absolute power and authority of our Almighty God. She would say, “one cannot force God’s hand, but through prayer, He will certainly make all things beautiful in His time”.
We are grateful to God for our Aunty’s love and kindness to us. It is impossible to forget her. We miss her greatly. We say Goodnight, not Goodbye, for we know we shall see her again.
Love Always,
Ekeoma, Nkiru, Uchechi, Edoro, Erinma, and Chukwuka
(The children of Late Hon. Justice Jonas Obasiemeka Iwuagwu).