A tribute to Helen Ibironke Orimogunje

Mama Wale, since I heard of your passing, I’ve repeatedly asked myself one question: why do good people always leave us so early? Why? Why? Why?

I don’t understand.

I’ve lost people I knew, but your passing is especially painful.

We met years ago at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church. It was a tight-knit family. From the moment we arrived, you and your husband welcomed us into the fold. You did everything to make us feel at home.

It only took one or two visits for anyone to see that you were the glue that held it all together. You quickly became a favorite of my mum, mother-in-law, kids, and everyone else who came to church with us.

“When two or three are gathered in His name,” there is always the peacemaker: the mother of all, the default problem solver. You and your husband were the people everyone turned to for comfort and, more importantly, a listening ear.

I watched you and your family play this role, bear the burden, and keep it all together. You never complained. You were always eager to help solve whatever problems arose.

And there were many — as expected when “two or three are gathered in His name.”

Even when we dispersed, you always kept in touch with everyone. Your home was always the meeting…