PROLOGUE
Death is an enigma which has frustrated all efforts of philosophical, spiritual, cognitive and scientific enquires into its meaning and to proffer solution to it. We can at best accept the fact that death is an inevitable end; a debt every mortal must pay, and a call every soul must answer. To support this claim and to buttress the point, St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, “Of this at last I am certain that no one has ever died who was not destined to die sometime”. To this end, we have gathered here today, not sing a post-humous eulogy, but to testify to the good life of our dear mother, Mrs. Dorothy Fanny Obika who joined the saints on the day of the lord, Sunday May 11, 2014. She has traveled across the bridge where there is no more sorrow. She is no more within the confines of space and time.
BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE
There are two remarkable and most important days of our journey on earth: the day of our birth, which marks the beginning of sorrow, and the day of death, which marks the beginning of eternal joy for those who lived good life. Little wonder, when we are born we cry and people rejoice. But when we die, we rejoice, people cry.
Our dear mother was a cause for joy in 1945, when she was born into the family of late Mr. Chinaka Osuala and late Mrs. Nwannedie Chinaka Osuala of Duruomeniho Ebikoro in Umuduruaku Eziachi, Orlu L. G. A. as the third (3rd) child of her parents. In 1957, she received baptism in the Catholic Church. In 1957, she received her first Holy Communion. And in 1960, she was confirmed by Rt. Rev. Dr. J.B Whelan.
She attended Holy Rosary School Eziachi where she studied up to standard four (4). Due to the vicissitudes of life, she could not continue with her dream of becoming a school teacher. However, that dream did not die completely as she taught her children in the family both secular and Christian education.
MARITAL LIFE AND SOJOURN
Mama was married to Ezinna Stephen Obika of Umukee in Umuoba Eziachi, Orlu L. G. A. They wedded in the church in the year 1973. The marriage was blessed with eleven children (8 now Surviving). Her life was punctuated with different challenges in life like the painful exit of her four children. But these made her even stronger, resigning to the will of God.
She lived with her husband at Owo in Ondo State, the then western Region she engaged in different traders. At the out break of the civil war, they where forced back home where they were faced with the harsh realities of war, saddled with the responsibilities of fending for the family. Till sickness struck her in 2012, she was a strong business woman and hard working farmer. She was blessed with good health and extraordinary physical strength.
RELIGIOUS CONVICTION.
From ab initio, Mrs. Dorothy Fanny Obika had a strong believe in God and she clearly defined her purpose on earth: to serve God whole heartedly and make heaven at last. She sees the Catholic Church as the avenue to achieve this goal.
Therefore, she engaged in various pious societies and devotions. Till death, she was a bona fide member of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Bible Society of Nigeria (CBSN), St. Jude Society, Legion of Mary. She was an ardent devotee to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. She was a Chorister for over fifty (50) years. She loved singing so much. Today some of her children are choir masters and choir mistresses in their different domiciles, thanks to her mentorship.
Mrs. Dorothy Obika was a woman of strong faith. She believed that all things are possible with God on our side. She was never a monk, yet she prayed like them.
She prayed ceaselessly and tirelessly. On several occasions, we had to wake up in the middle of the night and beg her to go to bed. That she will never agree to until she must have finished her decades of the Rosary. She combined married life with active contemplative life. She was to us all a spiritual director and a role model.
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE.
Mrs. Dorothy Obika strongly believed in truth and its power. She believed
TESTIMONY OF A GOOD LIFE
In honor of late Mrs Dorothy Fanny Obika
PROLOGUE
Death is an enigma which has frustrated all efforts of philosophical, spiritual, cognitive and scientific enquires into its meaning and to proffer solution to it. We can at best accept the fact that death is an inevitable end; a debt every mortal must pay, and a call every soul must answer. To support this claim and to buttress the point, St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, “Of this at last I am certain that no one has ever died who was not destined to die sometime”. To this end, we have gathered here today, not sing a post-humous eulogy, but to testify to the good life of our dear mother, Mrs. Dorothy Fanny Obika who joined the saints on the day of the lord, Sunday May 11, 2014. She has traveled across the bridge where there is no more sorrow. She is no more within the confines of space and time.
BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE
There are two remarkable and most important days of our journey on earth: the day of our birth, which marks the beginning of sorrow, and the day of death, which marks the beginning of eternal joy for those who lived good life. Little wonder, when we are born we cry and people rejoice. But when we die, we rejoice, people cry.
Our dear mother was a cause for joy in 1945, when she was born into the family of late Mr. Chinaka Osuala and late Mrs. Nwannedie Chinaka Osuala of Duruomeniho Ebikoro in Umuduruaku Eziachi, Orlu L. G. A. as the third (3) child of her parents. In 1957, she received baptism in the Catholic Church. In 1957, she received her first Holy Communion. And in 1960, she was confirmed by Rt. Rev. Dr. J.B Whelan.
She attended Holy Rosary School Eziachi where she studied up to standard four (4). Due to the vicissitudes of life, she could not continue with her dream of becoming a school teacher. However, that dream did not die completely as she taught her children in the family both secular and Christian education.
MARITAL LIFE AND SOJOURN
Mama was married to Ezinna Stephen Obika of Umukee in Umuoba Eziachi, Orlu L. G. A. They wedded in the church in the year 1973. The marriage was blessed with eleven children (8 now Surviving). Her life was punctuated with different challenges in life like the painful exit of her three children. But these made her even stronger, resigning to the will of God.
She lived with her husband at Owo in Ondo State, the then western Region she engaged in different traders. At the out break of the civil war, they where forced back home where they were faced with the harsh realities of war, saddled with the responsibilities of fending for the family. Till sickness struck her in 2012, she was a strong business woman and hard working farmer. She was blessed with good health and extraordinary physical strength.
RELIGIOUS CONVICTION.
From ab initio, Mrs. Dorothy Fanny Obika had a strong believe in God and she clearly defined her purpose on earth: to serve God whole heartedly and make heaven at last. She sees the Catholic Church as the avenue to achieve this goal.
Therefore, she engaged in various pious societies and devotions. Till death, she was a bona fide member of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Catholic Bible Society of Nigeria (CBSN), St. Jude Society, Legion of Mary. She was an ardent devotee to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. She was a Chorister for over fifty (50) years. She loved singing so much. Today some of her children are choir masters and choir mistresses in their different domiciles, thanks to her mentorship.
Mrs. Dorothy Obika was a woman of strong faith. She believed that all things are possible with God on our side. She was never a monk, yet she prayed like them.
She prayed ceaselessly and tirelessly. On several occasions, we had to wake up in the middle of the night and beg her to go to bed. That she will never agree to until she must have finished her decades of the Rosary. She combined married life with active contemplative life. She was to us all a spiritual director and a role model.
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE.
Mrs. Dorothy Obika strongly believed in truth and its power. She believes that it is better to be divided by truth than united in sin. That it is better to tell the truth that hurts than lies that comfort. That it is better to be hated for telling the truth than liked for telling a lie. That it is better to stand alone with truth, than follow the crowd in the wrong direction. That honest living is the avoidance of death (eternal death). She reminded us these even on her sick bed.
EPILOGUE
Dear friends, family and sympathizers, do not weep because mama is no more. Rather, rejoice because she has been born into eternity, smiling in the beatific vision she had always longed for. Today we celebrate her birth not mourn for her death. Her death is not the triumph of evil (contrary to what some may think). Rather, it is a vindication of the just.
Another reason why we should not weep again is because mama accomplished her mission on earth. Which are
To serve God without comprising to the way of the world.
To see the ordination of her son.
So we can happily say “Mission accomplished. To God be the glory.
Rest in peace Mama, till we meet to part no more.that it is better to be divided by truth than united in sin. That it is better to tell the truth that hurts than lies that comfort. That it is better to be hated for telling the truth than liked for telling a lie. That it is better to stand alone with truth, than follow the crowd in the wrong direction. That honest living is the avoidance of death (eternal death). She reminded us these even on her sick bed.
EPILOGUE
Dear friends, family and sympathizers, do not weep because mama is no more. Rather, rejoice because she has been born into eternity, smiling in the beatific vision she had always longed for. Today we celebrate her birth not mourn for her death. Her death is not the triumph of evil (contrary to what some may think). Rather, it is a vindication of the just.
Another reason why we should not weep again is because mama accomplished her mission on earth.
