Be of good cheer about death and know this as a truth
--that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.Socrates
Mum, Thank You by Catherine Mondoa
Mum,
Although a little belated, I thank you,
You, the invisible hands that mended,
The hidden strength, the face you kept.
Thank you.
The window for God’s love,
That most reflective of mirrors who truly saw and truly showed.
Thank you.
The anchor in this life, the spirit you had, the love you shared.
Thank you.
Though words be gifts from God on high,
Never will they express the memories, the love,
The impact, the Everything.
Mum, we love you, we won’t forget,
Those lessons you worked so hard to teach,
No, we won’t forget.
Pray for us, Mum,
You are no longer held here, but we are.
Thank you.
Goodbye Mum, No, not forever,
Not out of our lives, just not here.
And with eyes raised and hands held,
Dear God, hold her, cherish her, don’t let her go.
We’ll see her soon. We love you Mum.
Thank you.
Catherine Mondoa
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This memorial website has been created to remember our dearest Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt and Friend Veronica N. Edimo who was born in Cameroon on May 11, 1946 and passed away on June 17, 2013. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.
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Funeral Program for Auntie Vero in Buea, Cameroon
Friday, July 19, 20131:00PM Removal of remains from the Buea General Hospital Mortuary
3:00PM Laying in state at the family residence in Buea Town
8PM - 10PM Catholic Wake Service and Prayers @ family residence
10PM - 4AM Eulogy & Cultural Animation
Saturday, July 20, 20139:00AM Family Photos
10:00AM Procession to St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Buea Town
11:00AM Holy Mass at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Buea Town
2:00PM Burial at Buea Town Cemetery
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Latest Memories
| Eric |
TRIBUTE TO AUNTY VERO |
July 16, 2013 |
TRIBUTE TO AUNTY VERO BY ERIC ANANGFAC
I thought I saw her face today
In the sparkle of the morning sun.
And then I heard the angel say
“Her work on earth is done.”
I thought I heard her voice today
Then laugh her hearty laugh.
And then I heard the angel say
“There’s peace little one at last.”
I thought I felt her touch today
In the breeze that rustled by.
And then I heard the angel say
“The spirit never dies.”
I thought that she had left me
For the stars so far above.
And then I heard the angel say
“She left you with her love.”
I thought that I would miss her
And never find my way.
And then I heard the angel say
“She’s with you every day.”……by Megan Stokes
In life there are more questions than answers. Greatly so, when we lose a loved and dear one like Aunty Vero. We are reminded, that "There's a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).
Dearest Aunty Veronica, your love of life and people, shone through, in so many inspiring ways. We will remember your caring, nurturing and vivacious spirit. The life lessons of compassion, generosity, hospitality, love, family unity, tolerance and patience that you drilled into our sub-conscious daily. The "street home" will never be the same again. We will treasure and cherish these teachings and memories, as we celebrate your life and that of parents/siblings, gone before you, to the Heavenly Mariapolis. May the Good Lord grant the children, grand children, and the family left behind the fortitude to bear this irreparable and irreplaceable loss. May He welcome you into His Bosom and grant you solace, and perpetual rest.
Deep sympathy to Kenneth, Ivo, Suzy, Maria, Yetna, Aunty Lillian and the grand kids.
Aunty Adieu, mais Au revoir.
| Muma Abako |
A Eulogy (Tribute) in Honor of My Late Aunt Vero |
July 16, 2013 |
A Eulogy (Tribute) in Honor of My Late Aunt Ngosut Veronica Edimo
Held in Buea-Cameroon This Day July 19th, 2013
by Muma
I extend my greetings to you all as I set about this task to recount some of the memorable and cherished moments (17years of my life) I savored with my aunt and mom “Aunty Vero” whose life we are celebrating today. Since her demise on June 17th 2013, I have come to realize that a son sees his mother in a different context than those of you who were her lifelong friends or professional colleagues. It is even difficult to speak from a distance so far away whereby I will not be able to see her mortal remains for the last time, but however, I will try to present the shared feelings of love, devotion, hard work, mentorship, admiration and discipline she bestowed on me.
Aunty, your generosity with your time to talk to prospective employers on my behalf to offer me a job as a young university graduate, and the invaluable support you provided for me and many others, throughout the years speaks volumes of the type of person you were. Yours was a legacy of love and helping others in need. As a nurse working in Buea Town, I vividly remember you cautioning me against attending to patients in their homes just for you to end up shouldering the bills of these patients.
You were part of the entourage that saw me off at the Douala airport as I set forth for further studies to the United States. Our last chat echoes more in me now than ever before. You said “Muma Abako with a lot of gratitude, I can now sit back and relax today as I see what you have turned out to be amidst all your craziness; no more earrings, etc. and she continued…” I know for sure that you will make me proud one day”. These are the same words she said to me when my dad passed away 5 years ago. Aunty Vero, You breathed reassurance into my bones like a mother and for that I say - Thank You!
Aunty Vero, since we received a call of your stroke and associated malaise, your final days were focused on re-designing and re-molding our faith in God and the need to accept and adjust to your new state. Your sense of dignity was never so tested nor so well demonstrated as in the final days and weeks of your life. Even with a body riddled with incapacity you handled yourself with grace and bravery and this gave us a lot of assurance. You interacted with your visitors in a manner that gave us hope. That was the true bravery of this woman we are celebrating her life today “Aunty Vero”.
Finally, as I struggle to imagine myself being able to meet death with even 1/10th the dignity that I have observed since your death, from messages of condolence filing in from all corners of the globe, I swell with pride to have known, interacted and stayed in your house. Aunty, you were a Great woman; A woman of Courage; A woman of Simplicity; A woman of Wisdom; A woman of Dignity; A woman full of Strength and Resilience; A woman of deep Faith. Perhaps the key to your happiness was your whimsical approach to life. On behalf of the Muma Asongwe Family of Nkwen-Bamenda who I stand to represent as the custodian of their household, may you journey well Aunty, and do well to extend our regards to all the departed members of our respective families who had gone before you. Also may your children, siblings, friends, neighbors and well-wishers have the courage to bear this great loss.
With Thumbs up Ma.
Your ABAKO (as you preferred to call me).
New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM
United States
| NGONDA HEGNGI |
AUNT VERO, REST IN PEACE |
July 16, 2013 |
TRIBUTE TO AUNT VERO FROM NGONDA HEGNGI
Aunty, it’s Ngonda writing with tears in my eyes. I saw you in February of this year, not noticing any sign of death. What happened? Thanks be to God for the years you lived with me in the USA.
Aunt Vero was a gracious hostess, she was a phenomenal cook; how I will miss her food. She had a servant’s heart. She spent her life taking care of others, raising children who weren’t even her own, nurturing people who needed her care. Hers was a life of true sacrifice. There were times when we clashed, times when I thought she was too strict but we got along well. Aunt Vero, your life was a success. When you look at her children, you see her success; when you look at her grandchildren, you see her success; when you look at her daughters- and sons in-law, you see her success. Aunt Vero you were much more than a relative, you were a friend. I will always cherish our times together and everything you taught me over the years while living with me in Washington D.C/Maryland, USA. I will carry your memory in my heart forever. I cannot forget upon your return to Cameroon from the USA, my daughter Jessica exclaimed “THE CHIEF COOK IS LEAVING”!! Aunt Vero you have gone too soon; you are done with the troubles of this world. I wish you peace and love. REST IN PEACE AUNT VERO.
Death will remain a great mystery. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12.24)
| Big Susie |
You became Mbamba |
July 9, 2013 |
In the last years, particularly December 2012 during my last visit home, it struck me that you had morphed from my auntie who bathed, fed, nurtured us and had taken the place of Mbamba, our grandmother. You looked so like her when I last saw her, you welcomed Jay and I like she would have, you cooked like her... Now I know why that memory in etched...we were saying goodbye and I did not understand it then. If I had, I'd have been able to say a lot that will now remain unsaid. Today I say thank you. You saw us through a lot of journeys, some sad, many joyous. You were fiercely protective of all of your children. Today you rest amongst our other angels. Until we meet again, keep smiling. Love you.
| Allen E |
Adieu Aunty |
July 7, 2013 |
Aunty Vero, as a kid growing up, I always found it a little odd that I could step out of Grandma Sophie's house, turn left, ascend a short flight of stairs and land in your kitchen!
As time went by and I began to understand the relationship between the two families, it dawned on me that there was never any need for a door at the top of those stairs. The two houses were one!!!!
This closeness would be cemented in my consciousness over the years as both families dealt with life's trials and tribulations. As a few family members have already alluded to, your hospitality was legendary. Throughout my Sasse days and the impromptu visits all those years ago and in stopovers during recent visits home, the one constant was always the warm welcome.
In January this year I stopped by briefly to collect some things Suzy wanted me to take back to the UK. Who would have known that would be the last time I interacted with you in this life?
You were the last link to Buea town as I remember it. What a reunion you all must be having out there. For us left behind, 'Strangers Quarters' will never be the same again!!
Latest Condolences
| benson anosike |
An Iroko tree has fallen...RIP Mama |
July 13, 2013 |
Kenneth, Grand Adu (Ivo), Sussie, Maria, pays man (Yetna), Natt-Collins and Sophie...i don't know where to start or what to say because i still can't believe this has happened.I am at loss for words, i know there is nothing for me to say that will make the lost of Auntie any easier, i do hope you guys can understand what i can't put in words.....!
Our mum, auntie, grand ma ( Auntie Vero), was a kindhearted and generous person. We were all target of her kindness and generosity and endless words of advice and wisdom. I will never forget the memories of Auntie, she was one of the most fun people to be around, she was effortlessly able to make everyone else around her have a good time....what a lost, truely an iroko tree has fallen.
I was so saddened that faithful monday morning when i received that call about the passing away of Auntie, i still cant beleive its happened.I am deeply sorry by the lost we all share and i am assured that we will all be comforted by our memories and our love which is very much alive.
Auntie, you came, you saw and you conquered, only you know and our Faithful Lord knows why you decided to leave us at this time when we were all planning to visit this december, we can only ask questions but we will never get an answer because God knows best. you have done your work on earth and you did it perfectly well, we love you but God loves you more....
Adieu Auntie...RIP
on behalf of the Anosike family
Benson Anosike
Leicester
UK
| Queenta Egbendip |
Mrs |
July 11, 2013 |
Dear Suzie, Maria, Kenneth, Ivo and Yetna we all know how you people are feeling but i will only say take heart, and we pray for her to RIP God knows best. Aunty Vero i will missed you personally when ever am in Buea town. May her soul rest in peace.
Arrah ( leicester UK)
| Elima Quan |
A great mother |
July 1, 2013 |
Kenneth, Ivo, Maria, Susie and Yetna, it is hard to find adequate words to comfort with for the sudden loss of Aunty Vero, a very loving and protective mother. Of course, before you came along, a huge assortment of nephews, nieces and friend's children had had the privilege of her infectious smile, her unrelenting discipline and her nurturing (tasty, nutritious meals and thoroughly tended cuts and scrapes) qualities. Her trusted tub of manyanga always ready for all emergencies.
Anyone who knew her could see how much she loved you, love that continued on to her grandchildren. They are the gifts you gave to her that meant the most. You all worked hard at becoming independent. You made her proud. It is only fitting that children should bury their mother. It is more painful than words can describe, feeling like one's centre of gravity has shifted. However, the best of her is in you, something many of us can identify from who you are turning out to be.
May God Bless you as you send her on her final journey. There is comfort from hearing her voice in your head, and a full life of memories that will replace images of grief as the years go by.
Love you all,
your big sister,
Elima
| Blaise Kengjise |
She was Gold |
July 1, 2013 |
Yetna and the entire Edimo Children, know that i share your grief with you during this difficult moment of life. I pray Ggod should give you strength to go through this difficult moment of life.I know you people will miss her too much but pray that you should think about the good times spent with her that will make you people celebrate rather than Mourn.I got this letter from her and decieded to share with you people.
I'M FREE
Don't grieve for me for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
But be not burdened with times of sorrow,
For I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full. I've savored much,
Good friends, good times and loved ones' touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your ears and share with me.
God wanted me now. He set me free!
| Ida Njee |
My thoughts and Prayers... |
June 27, 2013 |
My thoughts and prayers are with you: Kenneth, Ivo, Susie, Marie and Yetna. Aunty Vero was a very special person to all of us who grew up around her. I was especially blessed to go to school in Buea in those days when all my outings were spent at the Edimo-Njeuma compound. Her beauty shone through everything that she did. Her laugh was contagious, her food well you all are witnesses of how good she cooked. Aunty was energetic and strong, she truly was a pillar to be reckoned with. Hold on to the best of this very strong and powerful mother of yours. My family and I will keep you in our prayers.
Love,
Ida
