I still remember your gentle steps and voice. It came as a shock as I wasn't aware you lived so close to me, until now. May you find rest in the Almighty whom you served so faithfully. May your family and friends be comforted. The outpouring of love from your classmates draws tears from us all. Keep smiling down on us! You will be soley missed.

Gwen, Gwen as we the Okedo girls called you. Whey mami how you come do us so like that. We are all out looking for you in Awa-Ibom state now. I thought you were home in the okedo estate where we lived for years or are you in school in Uyo or may be you've gone to Port Harcourt to see Bob. Been looking for you. My head is spinning and tears running my eyes. Dions, Nina, Voilet, Auntie Li, Njwen, Isa, Kemo, and Vally we are all looking for you because you are missing in the cycle. I am lack of words. Oh my God cannot believe you've gone so quick away from us. Though you will forever be missed, you are in the better place. Each time I think of you nothing else but that your forever smile comes to my memory. I am happy I was opportuned to spend some years with you after Lourdes. May the Good Lord keep you in peace and may he give strength to Bob, the children, your parents and sibblings through this difficult time.
Rest in Peace Gwen and watch over the children mami.

Gwen, 
I am still numb from the shock. I can't cry, I can't scream. Each time I try to,a heavy lump comes to my throat. Eh eh! Mamie you do am oh! God, how can we wrestle with your decision?  Even then, our faith is still tested when beautiful souls return to thee. Mamie, Papa Samson, brothers,Emma, Mike, Boutique ,Sisters Janet, Doro, Pam, may God give us all the strength to bear this.
I believe it is well with Gwen. It has to be.
Lilian 

Gentle woman you were, prayerful, bubbly, humourous, confident, giving, caring, very unassuming and too loving. You showed me how to be a friend and a sister. You never missed a chance to remind me that you are grand soeur especially when you badly wanted me to agree with you. Oh Gwen, our Primary school days were adventurous, I remember the Mango and Guava trees we climbed, the fruit orchard that became our little hide out, the fishing escapades we would go on for hours and only return with 1 or 2 fishes and  whichever house we came to first, either the Samson or the Che household, would cry for their plantain as we would use up every available plantain to make chips to consume with our fish or fishes caught. Then we would sit quietly and await the scolding that would follow from either Mama Samson ( Big Manyi) or Mama Che (Small Manyi). Because of us Gwen, Mama Samson and Mama Che earned the titles Big Manyi and Small Manyi.

 

Was it the secondary school lectures we reluctantly received from sis Doro (our third mother) when we were still primary school students. We would run to our house or to our hiding place in the fruit orchard when we heard sis Doro coming down the stairs. Then she will start screaming at the top of her lungs " Wuside dat pikin dem don run go? Gwen and Claire, wuna pass cam back very fast". Then she would walk over to our home and the search for us would begin. Once they found us, Sis Doro would grab us back to your home for classes. Eh wu, at that age we did not want to hear about Photosynthesis, states of matter, etc but there we were, annoyingly listening to sis Doro teach us and wondering when she would leave.

 

Then came time for college. Gwen, you gave up going to QRC Okoyong, where your elder sister, Pam was, but to rather go with me to Lourdes just so we could continue secondary school together. We cooked up a strategy to convince Papa and Mama Samson and it worked and off to Lourdes we went accompanied by Sis Doro. Then we continued on to the same High school until University time came when we finally went our separate ways but never away from each other.

 

As grown-ups Gwen, you thought me how to pray, how to love more and how to be a great mother. I used to wonder where you drew your inspiration considering how adventurous you particularly were.

 

Gone too soon my friend, gone too soon, without notice, without a chat, you never got to return my call for us to finish that gist as you promised you would when you return from South Africa. So I guess that gist will forever remain 'To be continued ....."

 

Amaka, Pearly and Lohloh will never see their sweet Mummy on earth, but I promise to do my best by them as you would have done if God had called me first.

 

Gwen, It hurts so deep I must let you know. To think that I won't see your sweet smile again, nor hear your gentle voice, is still unimaginable but God said your work is done and so we must embrace it. You will always be by me and please stay real close for I will always call on you to intercede for me.

 

Adieu my friend and rest in God's bosom till we meet again.

 

Yours truly Claire, aka Pa Joe

Gwen, this hurts so much that we are beyond words. Yes indeed, God loves the ones that we also love and we accept His will, but with a lot of tears. Tears because we will miss your laughter and generous spirit, tears for your Mom, the kids, your family. Tears because we know what a special light has gone out.

I remember when we signed our ‘Friendship Treaty’ in Lourdes. Teenage girls, after studying European history and reading about treaties, decided that we were going to sign a friendship treaty. We called it our ‘International Treaty of Friends’ (ITOF). Years later, as adults in the US, the first time we spoke on the phone, you screamed our nickname, ‘ITOF’. That was you Gwen: genuine, loyal, loving friend for life.

You were so full of joy, of life, of love. I cannot remember ever talking to you without a lot of laughter, fun and jokes.  Lourdes was a special place because of friends and classmates like you.

This is very hard, but we are consoled because of your strong faith, and the faith of your family.

Rest in God’s Perfect Peace, ITOF.

Gwen,
 
I still see your beautiful smile and happy face when I close my eyes.
In Lourdes your purposeful steps and bubbly personality made you a dear friend to all.
How you used to come to my aid when I had run out of garri; I used to leave Bernadette dormitory all the way to Immaculata to get some from you. That's the kind of person you were.
We will miss you dearly and you have thought us a lesson; I kept saying oh there is time, we will all meet again soon. Jan 2013 looked so close and I thought we will all meet for the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Can you imagine that within a few months that has all changed. As the saying goes, man proposes but God disposes.
I thank God for knowing you and for bringing you into our lives.
We will miss you dearly. It hurts so much each time I start to write I cry my eyes out.
God obviously loves you more than we and your family do; who would blame him. You are special.
 
Rest in peace Gwen and I know you will be preparing a place for each and every one of us and watching out for us.
We will do our best by your children and your family.
 
Love you Gwen and bye bye.
 Ju

I have been on Gwen's facebook page and cannot stop looking at her. Gwen I havnt seen you since we left Lourdes but I have always asked after you. Prosper was the one who told me u were in Nigeria about 10yrs ago, then I found u on pacesetter forum and facebook and we had plenty of catching up to do. I would never forget back in Lourdes form 2 when we were preparing for sacred heart house feast and the charcoal iron I was using accidentally burnt the one and only dress I was ironing to wear to sacred heart the following day. You were there and u saw it all happen and I was disappointed. You dashed off and came back with one of your dresses and offered for me to wear to sacred heart the next morning. That is just the type of person u are. I can still picture u bouncing with well calculated steps as u walked back in the day in Lourdes. U sat behind me in class and it was always fun. Where do I start from? It is really heart breaking but I do know u're in a better place and God is with all those u've left behind. RIP my dear. Evelyn Njingu

The love you all have shown towards Gwen is palpable. She deserves it. 

 

I got back from my sick leave and have had time to read through the messages. When I received the news from my sister on Friday morning I had just one reaction "It is a lie". I couldn't believe it.

 

I called Hannah and she had heard, I talked to Sr. Angele who was so devastated especially that Gwen died in Enugu near her and she wasn't aware, I talked to Pam Bijingsi and she had also heard. How bad news flies. Erna I called you but there was no response. I kept hoping that someone will confirm my earlier reaction and tell me that it was indeed a lie but no one did.

 

Talk of memories of Gwen, when she was in Buea some time ago she met my sister Jane Frances and immediately asked for my number and called me. That was Gwen.

Mag I still remember the fun we had at your apartment in Benin when UNIBEN hosted the NUCS convention, Gwen kept screaming with excitement as she saw each person. 

 

It is good to know that there will be a wake for Gwen in Tiko, hopefully some of us will be able to make it there. Perhaps that will convince us that it is really true.

 

Let's keep holding each other's hand in consolation while praying for Gwen's family and for the Repose of her soul.

 

Gwen dear, rest in the Lord's bosom from where we know you will scream with excitement to see each of us when our turns come.

You know I am still finding it hard to believe you are gone from this earth. It was just 2 months ago that we were here together in Houston. Gwen I remember mentioning to you that I loved stock fish and you said to me" Whey Jackie you like stock fish. I go bring you some the next time I come". You even called me on your way to the airport saying " Jackie na go this.. I go see you next time". So Gwen what happened? Where is the next time you so promised to see me?

Gwen this really hurts.

Gwen we will miss you so much. My dear sister may you rest in peace and some day we will meet not to part again.

Jackie

Gwen, my heart di hurt sotay, I no fit even cry I want scream na for scream! 

 

I haven't seen you in a long while. But I remember I think the last time I saw you. We were attending Dr. Kate Kume's wedding in Bonaberi and you came in. We were all on one table and you came in so gentle, humble & polite. Greeted us all & greeted Laetitia, addressing her as "Ma"! It was obvious to all that you didn't recognise her. And she said 'shut up, na who you dey call Ma?' and we all laughed...You were so polite. 

 

I remember you visiting me in Benin-City, Nigeria when we were in University. I couldn't keep my big towel clean everyday, even after all those years being trained in Lourdes. I hated using dirty towels. You told me to use a small wash cloth and wash it after using it to wipe my body. That way I always use a clean towel everyday. You won't even remember this I believe, but that habit stayed with me. 

 

Every time I think of you, I think of Clarissa. You two were like twins to me. How you do we this kind thing nor mamie? 

 

Claire mamie, hold heart. E don happen. Make we take am so. 

 

Dear Pacesetters, ... wetin man fit talk again? It's painful but it is a reality we deal with on a regular basis. This world is a transient place. We should keep our gaze fixed on the permanent: the city whose builder and maker is God. God bless. Love from Magg.