Page 8 - Funeral Programme for Joyce Wanjiru

Tributes

Dear Cousin,
Living a couple kilometres apart during most of our childhood years made us bond like siblings. Sharing
the same grandmother makes us pieces cut from the same cloth. The same shoot, same family tree, into
this world we sprouted, call it destiny. Each life no matter how brief, changes the world. The love and
bonds we shared growing up, the birthdays, Christmases’, the get togethers are forever to be cherished.
We had massive fun times and some sad times too, well, the sad being just that one time we nicknamed
you Joyce Gogo (that vioja mahakamani character) and we all got a beating from uncle Eng. Samson for
that. Most weekends we would meet and hang out.

Our parents brought up with a sense of responsibility and always being your brothers’ keeper. Some of
our fondest memories were of back in Riruta Satellite where your mum (Aunty Mugane may she rest in In Loving
peace) had a green groceries shop and during those days she’d send us to get her stock. Each one of us
had to cram a specific item so as not to forget, instead of singing a song about the goods like how kids
usually did. Another one was the time uncle Kinuthia (Baba Dave) came and offered to take us to his place Memory of
of work one afternoon. This was a very big deal back in the day because nowadays very few kids have
visited their loved one’s places of work. We were all excited to go visit, having very little knowledge
regarding technology. Bearing this in mind, you declined and your response was a stern NO. Your reason
made us all laugh. It was because you believed computers would eat you.

We shall always envy you for knowing to speak Kikuyu fluently way before us, because there was a
number of years you lived with cucu. When you came back it is like you had never left. As we grew older, JOYCE
we kind off went silent for a few weeks from time to time, but we will always be grateful for the effort you
always put to try and get us in touch with one another. For this we shall take up the mantle and continue
with your same spirit. WANJIRU

Now, for the hard part. If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, we would walk right up
to heaven and bring you back again. No farewell words were spoken. No time to say goodbye. You were KAHURA
gone before we knew it and only God knows why. Our hearts still ache in sadness and secret tears still
flow. What it meant to lose you, NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW. But now we know you want us to mourn for
you no more. To remember all the happy times life still has much in store. We as your family, we all have
tokens and gifts left us. Others have the literal work of your hands, products that you made and sold. We
will forever treasure them. You were extraordinary, a beautiful strong woman, generous friend and a
bright light in a sea of darkness. We celebrate you despite the tears and pain in our hearts. You’re 16 December 1992
th
physically gone, but your love will always be present. Since you will never be forgotten, we pledge you
today, A hallowed place within our hearts is where you will always stay. th
9 November 2021
Go in PEACE. Go in KINDNESS. Go in LOVE, in FAITH and in GRACE.
PS: say hi to aunty for us. She raised and
brought up a fine woman in you.

Farewell cousin. Till we meet again. CREATIVES