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.
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
My friend Joy; with a rare capacity to understand equally the despair and joy of others.
True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost. True friends are the ones who never leave your heart, even if they leave your life for a while, even after years apart you pick up with them right where you left off,even if they die they’re never dead in your heart.
You epitomized your name to your family and those around you. I miss you. Rest in the bosom of our Lord.
Wow! what a loss to us here in Ottawa. May peace be yours forever in His presence.
Words can not express how much you are missed. I wished I had the opportunity to visit you again after we had such good times when I last visited with my children. We all miss you so much. I believe we will might again on the last day when the Lord Jesus Christ return. You fought the good fight you have, we continue where you stopped and by God’s grace we will finish well.
May your soul rest in perfect peace.
Your cousin and sister
Delight UK