Gwen, those memories will never fade away.  You were such a sweet person to be around with.  I want to thank you on behalf of Mrs. Lydia Eno-Mbei(Aunty Lee), Nina Sone-Mohamed, Irene Ambe-Nguni, Violet Bumah, Njike Ngassa and all other Okedo Housing Estate family members for being a wonderful roommate.  Good Night our dear friend!!

The word “SHOCK” does not even begin to describe the state I was in when I heard the news of Gwen’s passing.   It took me several days to try to find meaning to something so traumatizing.  What was I going to say to Pam?  But then I realized that the heaven’s Gate had just been opened for one of us- Gwen, on that faithful July 5^th, 2012.

Gwen Gwen Gwen(Kwen Kwen Kwen),  cool, sweet, loving, calm but yet mischievous, beautiful and God fearing.   Oh! Gwen, those memories…Remember when you came back from Portharcourt where Pam and the rest of our Paye family schooled and told us this funny story about Anna Chinyere Dike, fresh from Cameroon, struggling to speak the Nigerian pidgin?  Instead of saying “na her clothes be that?”  she said “na she close that?” all the girls in her hostel made so much fun about it.  We almost laughed our lungs out.  How about you coming from Port each time and telling us that “Njwen  is scoring only As and is already making news in the University.  We were all so proud of Njwen.   That was you!  The good-news deliverer.

Then came Rahel, Nina’s baby sister and Namondo, my baby sister who made your room a hiding place because you were very accommodating.  I remember when Nina stopped buying sugar after trying in vain to control Rahel’s excessive sugar intake, she(Rahel) quietly moved into your room and by the time you were back from Partharcourt, your sugar was all gone.   You came to us laughing so loud and we were like “Gwen weti di tickle you for laugh so?” and you said “baby Rah don finish ee all ma sugar ya” That was just you.   Nothing spoil ba?

How about Auntee Lee giving negative points for any bad word.  You were the least on the scale until one day you said something that Auntie Lee screamed.  She immediately added 3oo points to you and that put you in first place on the score board hanging in our almost empty living room.  I guess you were tired of being good plus no fanta was forthcoming from Auntie Lee.  We really had fun. 

How about when you started speaking the Nigerian pidgin.  Gwen how na?  “Not bad” was your response. Then  Irene would say, you dis pikin, you go remain for dis contry! .  Nina would scream “wona here weti Gwen tok”?  Gwen don start tok like Nigerian. It tickled us so much.  Little did we know that Irene and Nina were just prophesying to what was going to become a reality.  The next thing we knew, you brought Bob home at Okedo to meet us, your family. A few years later, you'd become Bob's beautiful bride.

How about you and Violet volunteering to go fetch water at Jeffibro’s place when the taps were not running.  We waited and waited and got worried.  Florence and I decided to go look for you guys at Jeffi’s thinking that something was wrong, only for us to meet the two of you comfortably watching a good movie and laughing like nothing before on that Saturday morning.  I vividly remember you carrying your bucket full of water on your head feeling so guilty and off to the house then at Abak Road Estate while Flor was shouting at you guys for not being responsible.   Violet followed sooth.   You were all so respectful. 

How about the day we went to one of our NUCS Uyo parties and by the time we were back, the Okedo main gate was locked.  The night watchman-Ette Asukwo’s lips had not been greased.  We called and called and called and Ette pretended as though he did not here.  Irene was already getting nervous as usual. Then we decided to jump over the gate.  Now, Vally being the man had to be the first to jump over  upon encouragement from us but as soon as he made an attempt, someone giggled and he got scared and jumped back out.  You took a bold step and jumped in first and the rest of us followed, jumping like monkeys.   Ette later promised reporting us  to Okedo but then one of us suggested we give him something.  Ette later became our “best bo”.  How about you running towards our dwarf gate to tell me that Isabella had prepared pepper soup plum. What a combination that we later enjoyed so well. 

Gwen, you infected us with your smile and incessant abiding love for your family.  We all knew the names of your siblings before even meeting them.   Sis Doro, sis Janet, brother Mike, Boutique, Nomen, Caro and of course there was always some story about you and Claire (Clarissa Che), Our lady and so on.  Oh! Gwen, you made no enemies in your lifetime. You moved through life with great ease and always wanted everybody around you to be comfortable.  That trademark smile, contagious laugh, humor and generosity of spirit will certainly be missed.

In all, you were a loving wife to Bob, a loving mother to your girls and BJ, a family person and interconnector but most of all a servant in His Vineyard and knowing that you’ll be there on that day makes it easier for me to go home(Heaven).  We will treasure those memories of our wonderful times at Okedo Housing Estate. Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.  I want to seize this opportunity to thank you for the love and care you showered on your family in times of need, most especially for Pam, your sister and our very dear  friend, when she took ill and was receiving treatment in the UK.  Pam personally told me that she’ll never be able to pay back and I am happy I told you so a few months ago when you last visited Cameroon. 

As I travel to Nigeria in a few days to bid you farewell from this sinful world, I am consoled that joy comes in morning for our Lord Almighty does not make any mistake.   I have decided to let go and let God have His wonderful ways.   We shall definitely meet again to part no more.  What a great re-union! Be rest assured that your legacy lives on my dear friend.  We love you very much.  We really do.  God’s Speed Gwen, you have earned your wings and we now salute you!!

Dear Aunty Gwen,
Up all the way we loved you with all our hearts, and we will never ever forget you because you mean more to everybody in our family that is why we didn't want to leave.

To my dear Aunt: Gwendoline Samson Ihekona

From your dear neice: Karen Samson

Dear Aunty Gwen,

You've always been there for us we will never forget you. I'll always have you in my heart.
Rest in Peace Aunty Gwen.
Love,
 Brittney Samson

Dear Auntie Gwen,

We loved you dearly, you loved us too. I remember all those memories of us together.  We will never forget you because there is something special about you. You worked so hard for us.  May your soul rest in peace, Amen.
With so much love,
Ronelle Samson.