By Nna Anulumadu
It was like a carnival of a sort last week Friday, May 17th, 2024 as the remains of Late Mrs Brigid Okwunna Okoye nee Udegbunam mother to prominent Lagos based Lawyer Barr Pat Emeka Okoye were committed to mother earth at her country home Umuoji.
The burial Mass which took place at Assumption of Our Lady Parish Achalagu quarters Umuoji, attracted the presence of the Bishop of Nnewi diocese His Lordship Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye, dozens of priests, the religious and large number of sympathisers.
In his Homily, Fr Ogbannu described the late Brigid Okoye as a woman of faith who strongly believed in God and lived a saintly life. He testified that the deceased demonstrated deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she said her daily rosary and fully contented with the Catholic faith she believed in , adding that she took seminarians and priests sent to Umuoji Catholic community as her own children, taking care of them and solving their problems. “By extension, she was a mother to everyone that comes her way,” Fr Ogbannu asserted.
The chief mourner Barr Pat Emeka Okoye in his remarks shortly after the Mass thanked all that came to sympathize with her family over the death of their beloved mother. He thanked Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye for presiding over the burial Mass, asking God to bless all who supported them in prayers and in other ways.
One of the priests close to the family Fr Felix Akamonye in his tribute described the deceased as a staunch Catholic who demonstrated high level of commitment in serving God, urging Barr Pat and siblings to take heart since Mama did her best in serving God and humanity.
Fr Anthony Igweagu who spoke to Trinitas Newspaper described Late Brigid as a good mother and woman of faith. On behalf of his seminary set which the chief mourner was a member, he prayed God to grant the family the heart to bear the great loss. Also, Chief Anthony Okoye , Prince Olabode Odetundun, Chief Ikenna Obi and Chief Victor Orakwue in their similar tributes described the deceased as a woman who was very close to God and who exuded love and compassion while alive, urging the family to sustain her good legacies and follow her sterling foot prints.
Another sympathizer Emeka Oranugo also expressed condolences to the family, stating that their late mother fought a good fight and was inspirational to our generation.
Also, Chief Emeka Ngige SAN who spoke on behalf of their set urged the family to bear the loss since since their mother toiled hard to train them into responsible individuals are now impacting positively in the society.
Late Ezinne Mrs Brigid Okoye who was famous in the practice of her Catholic faith; who served the church and humanity creditably in various captivities joined the saints at the age of 84.
