With a heavy heart, we have come to honor and pay our last respects to our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend – Ezinne (Madam) Rose Oyiridiya Elendu, a woman of faith, a woman who always put us first, and showed us love in many ways.
Ezinne Rose was born sixty seven years ago to late Mazi Onwukwe Eleke of Umuaja Amakwu, Alayi, and his wife, late Mrs. Ejije Onwukwe, nne Ugwa of Amachara Amaoku, Alayi, both of Bende Local Government of Abia State, Nigeria . Mama was the youngest of her parents’ three surviving children. She had her early education at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Alayi. At school, Mama was very brilliant and highly athletic. She later went into sewing and became a professional seamstress that sewed all types of clothes; ladies, children and boys. Later in her life she became an illustrious farmer and trader.
At a very tender age, she got engaged to our father, late Chief Bernard Aka Elendu of Ndi Elendu Amaeke, Alayi. They wedded in 1957 in the Catholic Church. This union was blessed with three girls and six boys. Mama was a wonderful wife and devoted mother.
Though Mama did not have the benefit of having a higher education, she had a “Ph.D.” in humility and love. These qualities prepared her very well for her responsibility as a mother. Mama was our primary influence and counselor. She loved us unconditionally, devoted her life to our stewardship, and worked hard to instill in us her values and qualities. She taught us to love one another, to live morally, to be submissive, respectful, obedient, and to help others in need. She preached peace, unity, and forgiveness to us. This same message she extended to her brother, sister, numerous nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, and all that were around her. Within her extended family and circle of friends, she was “MAMA UKWU, NNEOHA and OSIRIOHA ”. Mama lived an exemplary life, that is worthy of emulation. Mama’s innermost faith, prayers and words of wisdom saw us through when our father passed away. She was our source of strength.
Mama’s most notable qualities were her fierce, sincere loyalty to family, poise, wisdom, dependability, unconditional love and generosity. On several occasions when we gave Mama a gift, she was very appreciative, with gratitude she asked if we remembered to give to aunts, uncles, cousins or someone else in need that came to her mind in that instant. In the event that we could not meet her request, Mama would share whatever we gave her with whoever that needed it the most. She made everybody around her comfortable. She never allowed her blessings to negatively interfere with her relationship to others and to God. Mama’s family life was interwoven with her community activities, her home was like a counseling center; where she used her wisdom and experience to comfort and to sooth the aches of others. Mama’s energy for life was boundless. She appreciated the little things in life, especially, the things that many of us take for granted.
Mama was a woman of faith, a practicing and devoted Catholic. She prayed tirelessly. Her faith and devotion to God was unshakable. She was bestowed with the title of “Ezinne” by the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Nigeria. She belonged to Christian Mothers’ Association, Legion of Mary and amongst others. Mama was also a member of Umuada Amaoku and Amakwu, Ndi-Oboro family, Ndi Elendu family group, Amaeke Alayi Development Union and Alayi Development Union.
My dear mother, Ezinne Rose, ran a good race, and died in Christ. God must have said to her, “well done, my good and faithful daughter, welcome home”. I believe she is dancing in glory before our Lord. If you see tears in our eyes, it is due to our human frailty. We face a future without comforting refuge of our parents especially Mama. Our best cheerleader has gone to her Maker. She is no longer physically here to encourage and cheer us her children, but she has ascended to celestial heights from where she will intercede and encourage and cheers us with her sweet angelic spirit. Love does not end with death, as Mama re-unites with our father, her first love; we know that their spirits will be our guardian angels.
Ezinne m, all that we have come know of love, unity, humility and hard work, we learned from you and Papa. Your nine children are saying in unison that we have been blessed with a loving and Godly mother. It is an honor to call you Mama. Thank you for all that you did for us. We love you. We will miss you, your memories will to be with us and your love will forever bind us together.
May the Almighty God grant you eternal peace and rest.
Mama is survived by nine children, two siblings, numerous grandchildren,
nephews, nieces, in-laws, ogbos, god-sons and god-daughters.
Elendu Eugene Elendu, Son
For the family