Joy Nwadinafor Ifedi
Joy Nwadinafor Ifedi

30 October 1950 – 1 June, 2017

With heavy hearts, the Ifedi announces the passing to glory of our wife, mother, and grandmother, Joy Nwadinafor Ifedi, on Thursday June 1, 2017, after a lengthy illness. She died peacefully in the presence of her family, in the care of the Ottawa Hospital General campus at the age of sixty-six.

She is survived by her husband, Godwin; children: Emeka, Obi and Chinenye; grand-children: Jayden and Zoe; her mother Justina Agina; siblings: Ifeanyi, Enuma, Michael, Chinedu, Ikechukwu, and Chinasa; and pre-deceased by her father Gabriel Agina, and siblings: Chuka, Clement, Amaechi and Uchenna.

Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Joy had her early education in various schools in Port Harcourt and Aba, Nigeria, before moving to Canada, where she graduated with a Diploma in Administration from the Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology, Kitchener, Ontario. She worked as Administrative Assistant with the RCMP, Ottawa, for several years, before transitioning to a new role as Personal Support Worker with the Ottawa West Community Support.

A fervent gardener and home-maker, her greatest joy was in tending to her many indoor and outdoor plants and flowers, and keeping her beautiful home bright and cheery for the enjoyment of her family. She will forever be remembered as a kind, compassionate and generous spirit, who was always there to support her friends in times of need and would spend hours mediating and reconciling those in conflict around her community.

Her bravery and courage during her final days were a source of inspiration to her family, when she asked them to continue to draw strength from their faith. She will remain in our hearts and minds forever.

Friends are invited to visit at the West Chapel of Hulse Playfair & McGarry, 150 Woodroffe Avenue (at Richmond Road), Ottawa, on Friday 16 June, 2017 from 5.00 – 7.00 p.m.; wake-keeping at same location 7.00 – 9.00 p.m.; funeral mass on Saturday 17 June, 2017, 10.00 -11.00 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima church, 153 Woodroffe Avenue (at Richmond Road); and internment at 1130 a.m. at the Pinecrest Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road (at Pinecrest Road).

In lieu of flowers, a donation in her honour, to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, would be appreciated by the family.

Joy & Godwin Ifedi
Joy & Godwin Ifedi

 

Remembering my loving wife

She was my wife, my lover, the mother of my children: : Emeka, Obi and Chinenye and our grandchildren Jayden and Zoe.  But most of all, she was my best friend who stood by me during the good times and the dark days, never wavering in her support of the one she loved.  I promised her I would not cry but this is one promise I cannot keep.

She was kind, generous compassionate and ready to give at all times. No words can describe what she meant to me and my children. Suffice to say that she has left a big hole in our hearts. But we know she is now at peace and in God’s hands, where she will certainly continue her long-time mission of nurturing and protecting her family. But I wish to remember the good times and by so doing celebrate the life of someone who meant everything to me. Our journey together, started at our wedding on 30  August 1975, at St. Anthony’s church, Ottawa, Canada,  when we promised to love and cherish each other as long as we both lived.  As we say in our language, this journey took us through seven seas and seven deserts, to where we are today; during this time, she held me up, supported and encouraged whenever I was about to falter, never wavering in her love and faith in me. For that, I shall remain eternally grateful to her.

The mass  held in her memory should not be seen as a funeral service, which suggests sorrow and sadness, but as one of thanksgiving, in appreciation to God for blessing us with her presence for sixty-six years. I thank all our family and friends who joined my children and grand-children in celebrating her life and saying farewell to one who was loved and cherished by all.

Missing you with all my heart!

Godwin Ifedi