By Martins Uba Nwamadi
Gracie Harmon said of the death of a mom:
“My mom is a near ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness and being. I may sometimes forget the words, but I always remember the tune.”
But another spiritualist, Walter Scott while talking of death said: “We don’t sleep when we are dead. Death is when we really begin to live. We cross that veil between the two worlds – the world we see and the one that is still a mystery on us. Eventually, we will all cross over to that final awakening.”
Embarking on a journey of grief is never easy especially when the person you have lost is your mother.
In fact, this space cannot understandably capture the breathtaking times, deeds, character and immense achievements, contributions of our mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and matriarch of the Nneji dynasty, the late Lady, Lolo Maria Celine Chinyere Nneji, a Marian Ambassador who lived for 93 years before her ascension to the saints triumphant.
Lady Maria Celine Nneji began her professional journey as a registered nurse and the first ever woman to establish a clinic in Okwuato Autonomous community, Aboh-Mbaise LGA, Imo State. St Judes Maternity Home Clinic became a referral centre while acting as a bridge between the urban health care centre and the rural primary health care facility. She was meticulous, courageous, always insisting on established standards of the Nursing profession and on the Catholic doctrine.
According to some of her patients, mama will always advise that the first step in treating a headache is to first determine what kind of headache you have. This is professionalism at its best and hallmark of excellence in a woman endowed with wisdom and intellect.
Lady Nneji, a nobel lady of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria was a moral and prodigious compass determined to helping the society with her limited resources as this conveyed the philosophy of Knighthood, her membership in Sacred Heart, St Jude Society and as Marian Ambassador portrayed her as virtuous woman. She believed in giving back to the society what the society gave her. She had passion visiting the Grotto always.
Mama Nneji was a role model. She believed in honesty and had consideration for others. She was greatly endowed and equipped with a sharp, alert and robust mind.
In fact, mama used her vastly creative hand to serve others, the church and wider society. She was simple, gentle in manners despite seeing affluence and riches. But nothing was more important to mama than keeping the family together.
And this is why her death should be looked at as life completed instead of life interrupted as she has accomplished her purpose on earth.
On Saturday October 29, 2022 at St Jude’s Villa Ezuhu Nguru, Aboh – Mbaise LGA, Lady, Lolo Maria Celine Chinyere Nneji will be laid to rest after all the pomp and pageantry. And like when the Queen of England was buried the Chancellor of Anglican Church Justin Welby said: “Now let us remove all symbol of power, staff of office, scepter, the crown and all valuables to demonstrate that life is transient and that the Queen can go in peace.”
In the death of Lady Nneji, Nigeria, Imo State and Mbaise Nation has lost a virtuous mother, a woman of great and deep ideas, a humble colossus. Can we have another of her type in Mbaise? Time will tell.
Frank, the founder of ABC Transport, mama has handed over the dynasty to you on trust and to Jude, Paschal and other siblings, mama is saying that though I have gone to meet with my creator, grieve not for me with tears, but take solace in Psalm 34:18. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Time will surely soften the edges of your grief.
Mama lives on. Nneoma Chinyere, la na udo!
Lady Celine Maria Chinyere Nneji (KSM)