
Catherine Ijeoma Onwuzurigbo nee Ojemere

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
Obituary
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of {Ezinne Catherine Ijeoma Onwuzurigbo née Ojemere}, who was born on {5th September 1940} and passed away on {20th January 2026} in {Lagos}.
{Ezinne} will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and the quiet ability to bring people together. Family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues all experienced the warmth and sincerity that made time spent with her meaningful.
Throughout her life, Ezinne or Headmiss as she was generally called built lasting connections and touched many lives through simple acts of care, encouragement, and friendship. Conversations, shared moments, and everyday gestures created memories that will remain with those who had the privilege of knowing her
Family meant a great deal to her and she was a unifier and a family builder, and relationships were always nurtured with patience and devotion. Friends valued her loyalty and sincerity, while colleagues appreciated her dedication and a thoughtful approach to work and collaboration.
The passing of Ezinne Catherine Ijeoma Onwuzurigbo aka Headmiss leaves a space that cannot be filled. Yet the memories, lessons, and moments shared with her will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know and interact with her. Though directly survived by her sons, daughters, sons in-laws, daughters in-laws, many grand children, sister and brother and other numerous relations, the entire community is mourning her loss due to her quiet but impactful contribution to the community and humanity in general
Ezinne will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
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You have a great son Chief Sir Henry who's very humble and kind to a fault not minding his position
May God grant your soul peaceful rest and may God continue to guide and protect your family you left behind
With pastoral love, I mourn the passing of Ezinne Catherine Onwuzurigbo, a faithful soul now resting in Gods eternal embrace. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints (Psalms 116:15). Our grief is real, but our hope in Christs resurrection is unshaken.
Special commendation to Chief Sir Henry Onwuzurigbo for his immense philanthropy in the community, a noble tribute that transforms mourning into community blessing. God will continue to uplift and reward you immensely. Amen.
Warm greetings to Hon Emeka Onwuachi(Uburuekwe Town Union President), Bishop B.C. Okeke (Bishop of ORLU Diocese of the Anglican communion), Venerable Emma Ibe, Alanso, Ifeanyi, AdaOliver Asomba, Oluchi and Kelechi as well as HRH Eze Nnanna Ibekwe for their solid preparation for this great burial day of 05 June 2026.
That date is already successful by Gods grace.
Rest in Peace, Ezinne.
Rev’d Canon Obinna Nnadozie
A life well lived, a soul deeply loved. Your warmth and strength shaped this family in ways that will never be forgotten.
You are at peace now, and your light continues to shine.
Rest Well Grandma.
Kindly accept our sincere condolences on the demise of your lovely mum.
It is my prayer that Almighty God shall console you and your immediate family members at this difficult time, and grant the soul of Ezinne a place in His Bossom.
May her gentle soul and tye souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in perfect peace, Amen.
Adieu Ezinne!
Am so sorry for the loss of your mother, please accept my condolences and I know that mama is the bossom of the Lord
Amen
May her soul rest in perfect peace 🙏

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I pray that the Almighty God comforts you in this period of grief and grants your entire family the strength and peace to bear this painful and irreparable loss. May her soul rest in perfect peace.
There is a time to be born and a time to die.
You were a gift to humanity; a rare specie.
The human race will continue to miss you.
Your impact in life is never wanting both in the social class and religious circle.
Many men and women of value today in the community owe their upbringing to your meticulous academic discipline and life impacting teaching you poured down on them.
You were a woman leader both in the community and the Church.
You were a mother in a million. You found it difficult to compromise discipline among your children.
You welcomed people to your house with open hands and heart. I thank God for making you my Mother in-law.
It is a pity that health challenges could not allow us to explore all the good we could from you and you from us within the short time we had, but we appreciate God for the little time we spent together.
Goodbye Mama
Fare thee well headmiss
Laa nke oma Ezinne
Ven Oliver Chibuzo Asomba++
May God surround you and the whole family with His peace, grant you all the fortitude to bear this painful loss. Amen.
My sincerest condolences to you and the entire family. May The Good Lord comfort you and grant you peace during this difficult season. May Her Soul Rest In Eternal Peace
Today I mourn the passing of my mother-in-law, a woman of kindness, strength, and faith.
From the day I joined this family, she treated me as her own son. Her home was always open, her words were full of wisdom, and her love was without condition. She gave everything for her children and grandchildren, and her prayers carried us through many seasons.
Mummy, you may be gone, but your lessons of patience, humility, and love remain with us. We will miss your presence, but your legacy lives on in this family.
Rest peacefully.
From your son-in-law
Chukwudi Ihekworobiri
You are always in my prayers. God bless you, MD.
May our Good Lord continue to keep you in His Bossom till we meet again.
I pray for God’s continued protection over you and your family, and may He comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time, as stated in Matthew 5:4. May He grant Mama eternal rest. Amen.
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved mama. May her soul rest peacefully in the bosom of God.
We are grateful for the beautiful legacy she left behind in raising such a gem and a blessing to many, of which we are also privileged partakers.
Kindly accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.

May the lord grant you peefect peace andbyour memories bring us all thanks giving to God dor a life well spent. RIP mama
I am heavily saddened to hear about the passing of our beloved mother, our teacher and wife. A woman of extreme brilliance and a wonderful teacher at that and community leader. She was my teacher along with your father, Dedem Sylvester, my God father, and they both served our Uburu Ekwe Community and our church very well.
I know it has been a tortuous journey this far, but you have been faithful in all matters of her care and wellbeing of which if you could stop this transition, you could have and I too would have helped.
It is an event that none of us has control. Therefore, we must take it easy on ourselves to properly process it.
For Sir H, Alanso and your sister, your dedication, attention and care to your mother took root in our Nlewekwe clan. You all did well. We all thank you and applaud your efforts. It is a painful experience that after all the input, yet to no avail to keep her life going, you still have to endure as we join you in this tremendous grief and as we see this to quietly settle in us as real.
Our Lord will guide and protect you and your siblings. Be strong and endure. May those who will care for you be available as needed. God bless you out of these adverse circumstances.
May her soul rest in peace…. Amen
Chief/Sir(Dr) OJ Emerem
The News came to us as a rumor,But later it's was confirmed. Headmiss as you was known as ,You lived a life of emulation,You saved God all d days of ur life,that was d reason title of Ezenne was given to you
May God Almighty Grant you enternal life
To the family of Sir ONWUZURUIGBO pls take heart for God knows why it happened by this time
Adiu Mama
Adiu Headmiss
Adiu Ezenne.

Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved mother. May God comfort you and your family and grant her eternal rest.
Amen 🙏
Please accept my deepest condolences over the demise of your beloved mum. May her soul and souls of other faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Headmiss, as we fondly call her was a woman of peace and love who accommodated all and sundry. She was a great mother and a pacesetter. Indeed, the tree where birds set their nests has fallen. In hope of resurrection promised, we pray for the gentle repose of your soul and the fortitude to bear this loss to the wonderful family, friends and well wishers who are affected by your demise.

A beloved mother is a beacon of unconditional love, strenght, and wisdom, often acting as a cornerstone of the family and a source of quiet inspiration. Late Catherine Onwuzurigbo is remembered for her kindness, genrosity, and the lasting lessons she taught, leaving a legacy that shapes her children's lives and remains even long after she has passed.
We can't say goodbye to you because goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.
Your memory lives on, and your legacy of love, kindness, and compassion will continue to echo through many generations.
You will be greatly missed but our consolation is that your memory lives on.
Keep resting, woman of great value and substance
Kingsley Uchechukwu Onwuzurigbo
Mama was like a mother to me . A very good friend of my late mum and our entire family ….
Mama lived an examplary life that she accommodated everyone that cross her way wit her good smiles , it’s so unfortunate that death came unexpectedly but we take solace that she is with the lord
May her soul rest in peace
To the onwuzirigbos please take heart…
Ezinne Catherine Onwuzurigbo, whom we gathered today to pay her last respect was one of the strong pillars that held the women wing of Uburu Ekwe Union worldwide.
She had held the prestigious position of women leader for several years, a teacher by profession and a teacher per se.
As a teacher she taught us much about the facts of life in church, in the community and even in families.
Her legacy cannot be over emphasised but one thing is certain, according to the preacher in the book of Ecclesiastis, there is time for everything. Since she had her glorious entry into this world she also must have a more glorious exit out of this world.
She did not die out of poverty, frustration and lack of what to eat, but as a divine natural call that all livings must one day answer to.
May her gentle mother spirit rest in the bosom of her creator - Almighty God and Christ till the resurrection morning. Amen
Mrs Bessy Madu
Mrs Ahanonu Christiana
Today, I choose not only to mourn, but to celebrate a life beautifully lived.
Grandma, you were a blessing—steady, loving, and full of grace. You lived your life with strength and kindness, touching everyone around you in ways that will never be forgotten. Though your passing came sooner than our hearts were ready for, your life was rich with love, and that is what I hold onto.
You had a special way of making me feel seen and loved. Calling me “Rejoi Joi” with so much warmth and affection—those moments will forever live in my heart. That name carries your voice, your laughter, and your love, and I will cherish it always.
Your life was a story of care, resilience, and quiet strength. You gave so much of yourself, and in return, you left behind a legacy of love that continues to grow in all of us. Anyone who knew you knows just how special you were.
Even in your absence, your presence is still felt. In our memories, in the values you taught us, and in the love you gave so freely.
Today, I celebrate you, Grandma. I celebrate your life, your love, and the beautiful soul you were.
Rest peacefully, knowing you were deeply loved and will never be forgotten.
Forever your “Rejoi Joi.”

Ezinne headmistress
Your passing has left a silence that words can hardly fill. It is a loss that runs deep, one that will be felt for a lifetime.You lived life in pains and passed on in pains.Truly, your death is a great loss — not just to me, but to everyone who had the privilege of knowing you.
We fondly called you Headmiss,a name that carried so much meaning. It spoke of your discipline, your strength, and the way you guided us.Even when it was hard, you stood your ground, shaping us with a wisdom that only now I fully understand.
You became my mother in every way that mattered. You took me in, raised me,Through your discipline, you built resilience in me. Through your guidance, you gave me direction. Through your life, you showed me what it means to stand firm, to be courageous, and to carry oneself with dignity.
Today, I stand as a strong woman,You did not just raise me — you prepared me for life.
Though your absence hurts deeply, I choose to hold on to what you gave me rather than what I have lost. Your voice still echoes in my choices, your lessons still guide my steps, and your strength still lives within me.
I will carry your legacy forward with pride. I will live in a way that honors everything you stood for. And even in this pain, i stand strong — because that is what you taught me.
Rest well, Nne(headmiss)as your children,Your work in us is not in vain. We will continue to rise, to endure, and to become everything you believed we could be. Amen
Njideka Udokwu
_Dee Cathy, Dee Miss, Headmiss_
Death is indeed inevitable.
At 88 years, you lived a life full of warmth and kindness. You were one of the friendliest souls anyone could ever meet, always ready with a smile, a hug, and words that made one feel at home.
I remember the time Alanso, your last son, and I met in school. He didn’t believe we were relatives. He came and told you, and you asked him to call me immediately. When he did, you asked me and explained, then you screamed on the phone, “Unu wukwa Nwanne, okwa ofu obara!”
That if your mother happened to be a male child that probably, we would have been living the same place/compound Those were your exact words.
The first time I came to the house during one festive period, you summoned all that were around and introduced me to them, you repeated those words and called me your "Nneochie". It was an awesome and a memorable moment and I became part of the family since then.
Mama, Headmiss, who will call me Nneochie again?
I will really, really miss you!
But, we thank God for the 88 beautiful years you shared with us. Your friendliness, love, and light will stay with us forever.
Your memory lives on.
Rest well, Mama Cathy.
Rest well, Headmiss.
Till that resurrection morning.
Your Nneochie,
Ifunanya Ikechukwu Nwaribe


You have done well ma and May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen
Goodnight Mama Ij
When sleeping on my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.
When pain and sickness made me cry, Who gazed upon my heavy eye, And wept for fear that I should die?
My Mother.
Adieu my Golden Mom
Ada Headmiss
With a heavy heart, I pay tribute to my beloved aunty, Late Mrs. Catherine Ijeoma Onwuzuruigbo, fondly known as “Headmiss.”
You were not just my mother’s elder sister, but a strong and guiding presence in our lives. Your name, “Headmiss,” truly reflected your nature—strict, disciplined, yet warm and playful. You corrected with love and brought joy with your laughter.
Thank you for the lessons, the care, and the beautiful memories you left behind. Though you are gone, your impact will never be forgotten.
Rest well, Headmiss. You will always be loved and missed.
Your Niece,
Ogechukwu.

You came, saw and conquered issues of life.
You fought to live even longer but for the sake of the stress on your loving kids , you took a bow.
Mama Charly, Mama Chinedu, Mama Ifeanyi, Mama Kingsley, Mama Ada, Mama Chibu and other children, beside all these, you also became our mom.
At Umuozu in early 80's your family and ours lived in the same elementary school were you and De Sylve were headmaster .
My parents were also the catechist of the Anglican church in that same compound.
Your kitchen was free for all of us. We hardly thought we were not all from the same family.
Even in your pains, you recognized me in 2019 when I visited you at Dr Kingsleys house.
It was a moment I will ever cherish.
Thanks a trillion times for the love, life and friends you gave to us in your kids.
You will never be forgotten.
Dr Mike Nathan Ahamefule
Washington DC.
Her legacies shall ever remain green in the minds of people who crossed her path.
Adieu Headmiss!
Till we meet and path no more.
Pharm Emerenakem ifeanyi
Sir, please Islam tells us that heaven is under the feet our mothers.Its so sad to hear your mothers passing ,but Allah says that every soul shall taste of death and the prayer also is that we bury our mother’s in peace before we also join our maker, and I know your have served your mother well and so Allah will bless you with heaven ,keep strong because no matter our age now we still feel the pain by recollecting how our mothers have sacrificed for our well being.May She Rest In Peace Sir .
Your Boy Jalal
No words can ease the pain of this loss, but the Lord will comfort you and the entire family with the love she gave you and the memories shared.
You are blessed
LOB
There are some people who leave a quiet, lasting imprint on our lives—through their kindness, their laughter, and the way they make us feel seen and loved. Head miss as she was fondly called was one of those rare souls.
She had a warmth that could soften even the hardest days, and a smile that made everything feel a little lighter. Being around her was effortless; she had a way of turning ordinary moments into cherished memories. Whether through her words of encouragement, her gentle wisdom, or her simple acts of care, she showed love in its purest form.
She was more than an aunt—she was a guide, and a source of strength. She listened without judgment, gave without hesitation, and loved without conditions. Her presence was a gift, and her absence is deeply felt.
Though she may no longer be here with us, the lessons she taught, the love she shared, and the joy she spread will continue to live on in all of us. We carry her in our hearts, in our memories, and in the way we choose to love others.
A lovely aunt like her is never truly gone—she becomes a part of who we are.
May her soul rest in peace, and may her light continue to shine through the lives she touched.
She was indeed a virtuous woman, a teacher, coordinator, a builder, a workaholic. Infsct her memories kept coming back. Her farming work with all her children. Our mothers then always say 'you and your armies, are you back at ala ike, then every friday and holidays. Every sunday, we visit to eat rice with my bottle of water to give her as my Godmother. She welcomes all with her unseizing smile, no dull moment with her. She will forever be remembered. I pray almighty God to grant her eternal rest from this wicked world... amen. Rest in peace miss. Rest in peace, headmistress
We get to know the remarkable person she was through you being a wonderful personality and an impactful leader. Her legacy lives on through you and all the people she impacted. Be comforted that she is resting with her Maker and Saviour and you have gained an angel in heaven.
Rest peacefully in the bosom of your Maker Mama Catherine Ijeoma Onwuzurigbo. Fare thee well….
With Sympathy
Sophia
We will remember her
We will remember them all at the rising of the sun and at its going down
Growing up as a little boy in the community I never saw you without a smile anytime. Your advice and encouragement was a game-changer to some of us who had the privilege to came close to you.
Rest on Headmiss

Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your dear mother.
From the obituary you shared, it’s clear she was a truly remarkable woman. The love she poured into her children, and the lives she touched, speaks volumes and will never be forgotten.
Everything she was still shines brightly through you, and I believe her legacy lives on in the person you are today.
Praying you and the family feel the comfort and peace that only Christ can give in this difficult season.
With Sympathy,
Sophie
Amen
Day after day, she showed up not only with lessons prepared, but with patience, compassion, and an unshakable belief that every student could grow into something greater. Her classroom was not just a place for learning facts—it was a place where curiosity was nurtured, mistakes were welcomed as part of the journey, and every voice mattered. Through her guidance, learning became something alive, something meaningful, something deeply human.
What set her apart was not only her knowledge, but her commitment.
She gave her time freely, living inside the school with her entire family, staying late to help, listening when it mattered most, and offering encouragement when it was needed most. She didn’t just teach subjects—she taught resilience, integrity, and the courage to think independently.
Her influence stretched far beyond any single lesson or exam; it shaped character, inspired purpose, and planted seeds of confidence that would continue to grow long after her students left her classroom.
Her legacy lives on in every life she touched. In me, and in countless others, she ignited a passion for learning and a belief in the power of kindness and perseverance. She devoted her life not just to teaching individuals, but to uplifting humanity itself—one student, one lesson, one moment at a time. And though words can never fully capture the depth of her impact, her spirit endures in the way we think, the way we strive, and the way we choose to pass forward the gift she so generously gave.
Adiu my teacher!
Adiu madam!!
Adiu Headmiss!!!
From your old pupil
Dr. Madu Kenneth Chibuike

Farewell Mama.
Sending love and support to you and your family during this time.
As you navigate this loss, just know that our Lord God is here with you and the family. I pray you find peace in the love and lessons she shared.
Your mother had such a profound impact, and her memory will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
May she rest in perfect peace 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Catherine embodied throughout their life.

