A LOVING MUM

Auntie Sue,

As I write this, I still fight the tears that form in my eyes because of your unexpected departure. However, I know deep inside you’re beside God with all His glory. As I recall all the moments we shared, it is almost impossible to believe you’re gone. I smile remembering how I spent a whole December holiday with you and my cousin Nate, whereby I underwent tutoring on ‘mother skills’ which included changing diapers and waking up late in the night to hush Nate back to sleep. I also remember you taking Idah for her horse riding lessons and how your face brimmed with pride each time Idah completed a task. You were and forever will be a loving mother.

I’ll miss you terribly and so much but since we are all one family, I trust our love will be forever binding. Although I’ll miss the moments you used to demonstrate dancing moves during the Christmas party ,or how you would show off some new clothes you got ,especially the purple sweater you promised to give me, I thank God for the time He granted us with though it was short-lived, I believe all the memories, secrets and advice shared will be kept to heart ,refreshed in the mind and forever written in our souls.

I wish I had the chance to say ‘I love you’ once more but now I’ll just whisper it as a prayer , hoping and trusting ,that you will hear.

Stacey

A GIFT

God gives and takes. We thank you for the gift of Auntie Susan.

At first, I didn’t believe that you were gone. I was in a state of shock and did not know what to do. It is painful and now that she left Idah and Nate, it will be hard to grow up knowing that their mother won’t be there, but we will keep them close as one family…. I will surely miss you Auntie Susan especially because you used to like parties and have fun.

Rest in peace and we shall dearly miss you.

Kuki

THE REAL DEAL

Suz, my sista, my friend...for someone who has always had something to say about everything and anything.....putting this down in writing is not an easy thing for me. I watched Suz grow and actually mothered her; mother hen as Suz always called me. I remember chasing Suz to bathe not because Suz didn’t like it, but because for you Suz there were so many things to do, discover, places go to! I always told her if she ever wondered how she was as a child to observe her daughter IdahReese! she was a great mom to her kids....Miss IdahReese like we would call her and Nate....baba as she always called him when he was up to something. I guess she finally knew and understood the essence of a being a "mother hen". Whenever I needed someone to talk to for everything and nothing, Suz was the one I called. And of course being close sisters where "411" was in full operation and oh boy....it will never be the same!

Our parties will never be the same again....the planning, preparation.....who will be cutting the onions without crying or making that tasty chicken now?! Suzs made life look so easy...there was always a way out to all situations. Younger as you were, there was something about our relationship; am really gonna miss that.....you were special to me and will treasure that forever and celebrate a well lived life! When she called me and announced that she had rededicated her life to Christ I was so excited; little did I know she will be gone so soon!

I know God’s ways are not our ways neither are His thoughts our thoughts. Who are we to question God, we live by His mercies. I pray for His grace to see us through....May God plant a hedge of protection around our family forever as we come to terms with everything considering we are still recovering Chanjo’s demise.

All in all am glad you are in a better place.

Love you, loved you for being real!

Kathy Shee

IT'S NOT OVER YET!

A while back I was a scrawny red-eyed kid with a bad hair style and Susan was the most beautiful thing on the Planet.

Ok, fast forward twenty something years later, that hasn't changed. 

You are a Sweetheart, My Sweetheart. You showed me Love, You brought me joy.

WE HAD A DEAL, why did you have to go and read from somebody else's script?

I'm sad and the sad part is that it's real.

You will continue to occupy the same place you always occupied in my heart.
It's not over.

I love you and I always will.

Prince Keli

SMILE ON!

Suzy,

God graciously picked you

You are not in pain

No more tears

Your smile is bigger 

Your eyes brighter

For you are in His loving care

Rest in peace.

Njeri Wanyoike-Kariuki

MEMORY OF JOY IN PRESENT GRIEF

Suzie,

There is no pain greater than the memory of Joy in present grief.  Suzie, we are thinking of you today and how you made the world a better place.  You were a source of comfort to many and you offered guidance when needed.

Our father in heaven knows about every bird that falls on the ground but doesn’t prevent it.  You were a strong woman who always got her way and was full of life. Suzie, your departure came too soon.  We let you rest calmly as we say goodbye to thank the one who made a difference in our lives.

In our hearts and thoughts you will forever remain fresh as ever, our love for you even in death will always be strong, your smiles and laughter will always be remembered till we meet again.

Koma thayu Suzie.

EK

GONE BUT NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

Sue,

Now where do I start? On Thursday evening, 2nd Dec 2010 we talked for awhile just before your surgery and all seemed well, you had a happy tone in your voice. First of all you were a blessing to everyone in our family; you were a sister and a friend. We had good memories together, henging out, staying indoors watching movies when we had time. You always called me asking me how I was I doing. Recently you told me not be stressed and to work smart and hard at work. I really admired you at work, you gave it your all and that inspired me to do the same. I felt good working with you in the same organization and I will really miss you.

Guys didn’t call you Madonna for nothing, God gave you a unique beauty. Wawawawa! I will really miss your smiles so much but I know Idah and Nate will represent you. There so many good things you did for us and we are really thankful.

REST IN PEACE MY DEAR SIS, your love and presence will always be here with us. I can’t believe am writing all this because I still I don’t believe you’re gone.

Njuguna

A FAVORITE AUNTIE

Aunty Susan, my other mommy,

Fun, loving, kind and caring. She corrected me anytime I did the wrong thing. She loved all of us with her kind heart. My favourite auntie, we could talk football and argue about Arsenal & Man U. She will be dearly missed.

May God be with you.

Kris.

A CONFIDANT LIKE NO OTHER

Sis,

...our famous photo.....look at those specs....aiyayayai... this photo has been on my dressing table mirror for eons...I get to see you every day...and will always see you every day....when I wake up and go to bed.

Everyone has someone to confide in...you were the one I would confide in when it came to matters of the female species...and there were so many matters I had...you would listen to me as I let you in into what was going on in my life...you would tease me every time we spoke on this...you would offer advice, solutions...some I took...some I didn’t... the one thing you always said is follow your heart...so long as I am happy...follow your heart..

I will still talk to you on the same...and you best find a way of answering back to me...from the glorious place you are at now... to me you are still around somewhere... a phone call, an email away...so expect to be hearing from me..there is so much more I need to download...

Always...truly...deeply loved sis...

Daud

LIFE IN BEAUTIFUL COLORS

Susan was a friend and colleague; the kind that stands by you when you need somebody to be there.

I remember how Susan used to come into my office, excited to share events that occurred in church, or about what she heard the man of God say over the radio. Or how she shocked her pastor with her contacts. She always had something new, exciting and out of this world to share. I was genuinely happy for Susan, she worked very hard for everything she received, and God was beginning to show her things and take her places, restoring her for what may have appeared to be lost time.

What is it that we remember when we think of Susan? I think everyone who knows her very well would agree with me on this. It was her colourful character and contagious smile.  That's the trademark of Susan Kabura Kagori. She was the kind of person who saw life in beautiful colours and one that would keep you talking because she laughed heartily at every joke.

Susan’s death was sudden. I remember when I heard the news I simply could not believe it. 'Yesterday evening we laughed and today your gone? How?' She was far too young, and full of promise, she had just been promoted and looking forward to her new role. Susan was well-loved and had done so many things on earth and I’m sure she’ll do much more in heaven. I will forever be grateful to have known her. I will forever be grateful that she knew God the Father at her time of departure, and is possibly colouring the heavens already with her personality.
The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories which we have all witnessed is a testimony to the way this singular figure, who now remains only in our memory, touched so many lives. Having departed without the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. We've lost the irreplaceable personality. All the memories we have shared with Susan will forever be cherished and remembered. She will forever live with us. Her joyous light in our lives, inspiration of excellence, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.
Susan is in heaven now. This is not the time for us to grieve her death but it’s our time to celebrate her life.
Don’t ever forget that, she never wanted to see people cry, rather she believed in people and wanted to bring out the best of everyones potential and hope in the future. So at this moment when we are about to lay her body to rest, let’s all think back and remember how she touched our lives. How she touched us all in a special way, and how good Susan was as a person. This is not the moment for us to shed our tears but we should all be thankful that we were given the chance to have known her.
Our hearts go out to all Susan's friends, family and everyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing, working or laughing with her.

Susan, we will miss you.

Charlie Owino - DHL Kenya

UNFORGETTABLE

Suzy,

Oh no...I will miss but never forget....

your unique laugh and rediant smile...

your sense of humour...

your determination and resoluteness....

your toughness like the person you were named after...

your gentle, warm and conforting presence...

Till we meet again....watch over us.

Kibutu Wanyoike

I remember my cousin  smiling, giving me a big hug. A happy person, outgoing, friendly, open. She called me out of the blue at VSO ten years ago to tell me she had chosen Christ.

Suzie. Elegant, beautiful, spirited and spiritual. Loved life - a good meal, a good joke, good company. A responsible mother, cousin, daughter.

Am so thankful for Oktoberfamfests  for the chance it gave us to know something of one another.

Gillian Nyambura