The air was filled with mixed feelings of grief and joy as the matriarch of JUHEL Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ifeanyi Okoye’s family was laid to rest at her home town, Okpu Ifite village, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area.
Correspondent, Onyinye Agubaeze reports that the funeral ceremony for the late Chief Mrs Helena Okoye, which was attended by the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Governor-elect, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, members of the national and state assemblies, top government officials, dignitaries, friends, and well-wishers, began with a holy mass officiated by the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Dr Peter Okpaleke.
In a condolence message, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Honourables Dozie Nwankwo and Uche Okafor, among others eulogized the late matriarch, noting that her good life is evident in the lives and achievements of her children.
Thanking everyone who came to commiserate with the family, JUHEL Chief Executive Officer, Dr Okoye stated that his mother lived a good life and that he would never forget her influence in his life.
The first son and daughter to the deceased, Chief Damian Okoye and Mrs Bernadette Onwunyili, who said they would miss their mother a lot, described her as someone who groomed very successful children and was adored by all who came into contact with her, praying for her soul to rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Earlier in his homily at Madonna Assumpta Catholic Church Agulu, the Director of Spiritual Year Seminary Okpuno, Reverend Father Dr Linus Ibekwe urged Christians to live good life in order to earn eternal life.
Reverend Father Ibekwe, while consoling the family said the good deeds of the deceased are visible in the Church and Agulu community at large, adding that since heaven rejoices over the death of a saint, the Okoye family should take solace that their mother’s soul is resting in the Lord.
The late Chief Mrs Helena Okoye, a mother of nine children, grandchildren and great grandchildren died at the age of eighty-seven on 15th December, 2021, after a brief illness.
