Mrs. Benedette Ngozi Apeh

Benedette Ngozi Apeh was born on August 13, 1966 to the late Augustine and Angelina Aneke in Enugu State, Nigeria. She transitioned this life on February 16,2016, with her loving husband by her side. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Dr. Ifeanyichukwu; daughter, Ebele Ndidi; son, Fred Ifeanyi Trinity Jr; and sisters: Caroline Udeani, Nonye Onyia, and Florence Ezeobi; 2 brothers: Charlieboy and lkenna Aneke; several aunts, nephews, in-laws and friends both overseas and in Nigeria. I don't know where to begin; definitely I am short of words. Instead of writing victory milestones, I must write an obituary for my better-half Benedette Ngozi Apeh (nee Aneke) whom her mom nicknamed 'ONYEJIUWA' translated (who holds the universe) and other relatives calls her 'onyiri ncha' translated (black that cannot be washed by soap) due to her ebony black complexion. My wife was a wonderful woman to be around, always jovial, cheerful, humble, helpful, and reliable. She planned ahead and got things done in a timely manner. Wherever she went, her aura radiated love that brightened the atmosphere. In the Bahamas, the staff misses her and continue to call in disbelief that she has passed on. Most are still awaiting her calls, laughs, and jokes that kept them going under extremely stressful hospital emergency room department. Her death shocked everyone. Many sent tributes and retired Nurse Debbie Munningsa member of the Trinity Assembly published a tribute in the Nassau Guardian Newspaper. I can but pen these few words. Benedette was a hardworking woman and could not tolerate pretenders, who only produced in front of their supervisors. She told me that her frankness made her a target for those pretenders, but she refused to change. She won several awards for her attendance and work ethic. She never skipped work nor called in for unjustified reasons. There are six we remember most about Benedette: love, faith, prayer, hard work, sincerity, and commitment. Benedette was determined to succeed despite being orphaned at 8 years of age. She used her past challenges as encouragement for EbeJe and Fred to strive harder and achieve whatever she could not. She believed that hard work doesn't kill but laziness does. She fondly called Ebele, N neneeooh, because she reminded her of her late mother Angelina Nwa- Udeani. She aJways reminded Fred to pursue his dream to be an MD/neuro-surgeon and Ebele MD/psychiatrist. She raised them to be model citizens who serve God and humanity and told them to never forget that they are full blooded Africans. Benedette fulfilled her role as a wife and mother. She was never self-centered and knew the difference between primary and secondary family. Last Christmas and New Year's Eve, she called the people she grew up with at Uwani Enugu Real Estate and they expressed, "Bene k4, you have basically done what you said you would do: live in America, have kids abroad, own a house, and have a dog named Billy." She responded, "Not everything." I always joked with her that I would not buy her a dog. I felt if she had gotten a dog, she would have fulfilled her mission and left me alone with the kids, but she still did. Benedette, within your 49 years on earth, you have impacted the world with your services to humanity as a nurse and mother. I have lost a significant part of me and so have our children. This is a void that only Christ can fill. Sleep on Benedette. We shall see you in heaven on the last day.

Mrs. Benedette Ngozi Apeh

August 13, 1966 - February 16, 2016