Ifueko Benedicta Uwaifo

My dear cousin Ifueko,

“The news of your passing came as a rude shock! You were so happy just eight days before and your family and friends had so much fun as we celebrated Owen's 10th birthday. Little did we know that you were going to take a bow.

I still cannot make sense of your passing but I have come to the conclusion that God is perfect and his ways are not our ways.

My daughters Isioma and Awele believe that Aunty Ifueko is a beautiful soul that God has called home to join the saints in heaven. Absolutely!

Ifueko, you were gentle, compassionate, kind, patient, peaceful, generous, modest and the list goes on. We miss you terribly but our consolation is that you are in a better place where there is no more pain”.

Sleep on beloved sister until the resurrection morning!

“My Ifueko, my sister, my friend and cousin. I still can't believe you are gone; every time I think about it pain is all I feel. Ifueks, you were loving, real and peaceful, I could never picture you without a smile on your face. 

I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my time with you, our joys, dreams and conversations.  Our Long discussion a few weeks before you left us is still replaying in my mind. It showed how strong you were. 

My sister, I have so much to say but words cannot express how I feel. I am consoled because God took you home to get some rest. 

Rest In Peace my Ifueko, I love you and I will miss you forever.” 

I am totally short of words and still in shock. The only time I ever felt this kind of pain was when Isoken went to be with Lord and now you! It's so difficult addressing you in past tense. You were a strong woman, ever smiling.

Rest in the Lord Ifueko.  

“Ifueko, writing this feels so difficult, so painful and completely out of place. It is like a bad dream. You constantly reminded me of “Isoken” and now you are gone too! The pain is deep and the shock is so very overwhelming. You were always calm, humble and respectful.

Thank you for coming with Uyinmwen to see me the last time I visited Lagos. We had so much fun and laughter. I never knew that would be the last.

Goodnight my dearest Ifueko!  Good night “Iyeowa!” Rest in the bosom of the Lord! ”. 

Our darling Ifueko, in our deep hurt, we have made the CHOICE to celebrate you!

We celebrate you meeting and marrying the ONLY true love of your life (Our big brother, Uwaifo) and spending more than half of your entire life by his side, through thick and thin…a match made only in heaven.

We celebrate God blessing you with an amazing son (professor) and you being the best mother one could ever have…

We celebrate you being a loving and giving daughter and sister…

We celebrate your long fight and victory over cancer…

We celebrate you tirelessly pushing yourself to be the best in your career field, despite all the challenges that stood in your way (and you rocked, girl!!!)….

We celebrate you knowing you were gifted by God to touch lives, and you touched many in the way only you could…..

We celebrate this celestial vision we see of you right now with other saints in the heavenlys, happily standing around Jehovah’s throne, praising and worshiping our king!....

We celebrate this warmth and joy we feel in our hearts, as we CHOOSE to focus on celebrating you, our love…

So when the hurts come again (and yes we know it will) in our tears,  we’ll smile and begin to remember all the many reasons we have to celebrate you!

Because sweetheart, you didn’t leave us…you’ve only gone ahead of us.  A place we too will be blessed to be someday!

Dear Ifueko, your earthly pilgrimage was quite short but I am consoled by the fact of scripture that length of days is what makes life honorable.

Memories of a good, friendly, lovely, patient, humble, impressionable person like you are precious and uplifting.

You will always be remembered for your faith and enduring character that endeared many to you. Adieu

Mama…that’s what we called u because that’s truly what you were to us.

“Remember the times we would call u while driving just to harass u over insignificant stuff all in a bid to make u laugh, we were always like little kids to you. You were the first to hold our son even before us when he came to this world and you showered him with love like he was your very own. We looked forward to your Sunday visits to our home after church with the entire family, am sure those were precious moments for you too as you got to play with Micah.

Mama….don’t know if we can ever get over your transition, as you were a great and special part of our lives here. No one can ever fill this void you have created in our family, you truly were a sweet soul.

We are especially thankful and lucky to have been by your side during your transition because we believe you are with God, those are moments we will forever hold dear”.

You were beautiful in every way and we love you so much our darling Mama!

“I still cannot believe you are gone. No one can imagine the pain I feel. I am only consoled that you are with your Father and Daddy in heaven. Rest in perfect peace. Goodbye Fueki”.

“Ifueko (Fueky) is always so gentle, calm, loving, caring, generous, and selfless. Sometimes I used to wonder if you were human; you were just like an angel who never grudged anyone.

I am grateful that I personally had the privilege of spending these last few months, weeks, days and hours with you. It was a rare opportunity. The most important thing I will take from this is that “You Lived, You Loved, You Impacted”

You touched the lives of a lot of people beyond boarders. I thank God for giving me a sister like you who; you are a friend, confidante, shopping partner (whilst I am looking for SALES), advisor, mother (alternate mum even though we were just a few years apart). You were easy to talk to/with because you always had a solution for everything then I always asked you if lawyers had knowledge of all aspects of life. I am proud to have you as my elder sister.

We have gone through different milestones, challenges, achievements, and victories together; through it all you were a pillar of support with a quiet disposition. You are quiet and gentle but we also understood your unspoken language.

My consolation is that you had a glorious entrance into God’s kingdom escorted by Jesus and Mary. I am sure Daddy is there to receive you with joy. I appreciate the special encounter I had with you through Fr. Ray because it gave me the conviction that God answers prayers and always responds to our praise. Your only words to me with a smile were “Take care of Owen”. You must have known it will happen this way because Owen is also a son to all of us, you have given him the background and training to prepare him for the life ahead”.

I love you so much my dear sister Ifueko, your memories will outlive you.  I miss you so much; I do not know how this gap will be filled (Holy Spirit I need you). Thank you so much for being there for me all my life, I wish I had the opportunity to tell you more often.

I look forward to our glorious reunion with the angels, saints, Daddy and our Lord where there will be no worries, no sorrow and no pain. We are consoled by 1 Thessalonians 4:17 …….“and so we will always be with the Lord”.

“My heart is laden with sorrow and am not sure I can ever accept the fact that I won't see you again. You were a quiet and nice person who made a great impact in the lives you came across. It is hard to say goodbye but God knows best. Farewell dear sister in-law. I love you and will forever miss you. Good night!”.