Nelly Obioma Mgbemena

At 76, Nelly Obiomachukwunyerem Mgbemena went to be with the Lord on October 12, 2021 at The Ottawa General Hospital. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria as the eldest of 10 children of Sydney and Patricia Ude, and the first grandchild of Chief Umezuruike Eronini, this natural caregiver went on to become a Registered Nurse. During her time at the University of Ibadan, she met the love of her life, Dr. Benjamin E. Mgbemena, whom she got engaged to, and later migrated to Canada in 1972 to marry. They were blessed with four beautiful and talented girls, Iruaku, Uchenna, Nkechinyelu and Chinenyenwa.

Nelly had a love of gospel music and her strong faith in God led her to be an active member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church’s choir and congregation. A proud Nigerian and leader, Nelly, was very involved with the Igbo Association of the Nigerian Community in Ottawa. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family and becoming a grandmother to baby Zakaiyah was her most treasured role to date. She took great pride in her family and their accomplishments.

Her legacy will continue to be carried on by her husband, children, granddaughter, and her siblings: Juliet, Edith, Galbina, Sonny, Ijeoma, Gloria, Uchenna and her three half siblings Okechukwu, Kingsley and Chinagorom. Nelly is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and will forever be remembered for her kind heart, beaming bright smile, her love for sports (Blue Jays and Sens) and her cooking especially her melt-in-your-mouth jollof rice! Nelly was always ready to set an extra plate at the table, opening her heart and her home to all who entered.

Mum, we love you so much and will miss you. Rest in peace with the lord until we meet to part no more.

A celebration of Nelly’s life will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 1 pm. Due to covid-19 restrictions, there is limited attendance allowed at the church. Please email her daughter at [email protected] to get more information on attending. Relatives and friends may view via livestream at https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/38898

In lieu of flowers, donations in memoriam should be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Appreciation

The entire Mgbemena and Udechukwu families wish to express our appreciation for the overwhelming support, care, love, prayers, and wishes extended to us during our trying time with the loss of our beloved wife, mother, sister and aunt Nelly Obiomachukwunyerem Mgbemena.

Our special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, especially Dr. Li, Dr. Pan, Dr. MacPherson, Dr. Canniff, Dr. Qurion, Dr. D. Plante, as well as the nursing staff of the Dialysis Unit. We would also like to mention Dr. Delbrook, Dr. Joseph, Dr. Musawir and the Dialysis Unit at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital. Our thanks go to Dr. Vincent Chan, Dr. Labinaz and the doctors, nurses, and staff of the CCU at The University of Ottawa Heart Institute. We also want to thank the Dialysis Unit of The Ottawa General Hospital, the doctors, nurses, and all staff of the Ottawa General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Thank you to Dr. Marshall, the doctors, nurses and staff of the Elisabeth Bruyere/St. Vincent Hospital, Home and Community Care Support Services of Renfrew County. Special thanks to Jennifer Schultz, Reverend Tim Parent, St. Luke’s Anglican Church of Pembroke, Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Pembroke, and the Igbo Community Association of Ottawa. Last but not least, thank you to all our friends and family members that have travelled from far and wide to be with us during this challenging time.

May the Lord bless all of you.