After a social wake keep ceremony that was observed from Thursday evening the 14th of December till the early hours of Friday morning the 15th of December 2023, the remains of the Late Mrs. Helen Tilele Thomas Tonlagha (Nee Aboufe), popularly known as Sisi, was committed to Mother Earth in Sokebolou town, Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, in a mild but sorrowful ceremony.

In a moment of reverie, all that the Capt. Julius Tonlagha, first son of the deceased, could bring himself to say in his tribute to his loving mother was: "My mum was the most loving, compassionate, strict but well understanding mother. Above all, she is the most beautiful soul one could meet," he wrote. And then gathering strength, he added, "She meant the world to me. I will always love you mama till we meet part no more."

The Late Mrs. Helen Tilele Thomas Tonlagha who died at the age of 77 years was born in 1946 into the family of Late Pa. Aboufe of Isobo Quarter in Sokebolou town and to Late Madam Yerimene in Seigbegha Quarter in Obotobo 2 town, both in Ogulagha Kingdom.

Known as a hairstylist, the Late Mrs. Helen Tilele Thomas Tonlagha spent most of her life in the city of Port Harcourt in the current day Rivers State. She later got married to Late Pa. Thomas Tonlagha who hails from Benikrukru town, Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West L.G.A. The union was blessed with children and grandchildren.

"While the pain of your absence is profound, my dear Sisi, the legacy of love and kindness you left behind is a comforting balm and I will honour your memory by emulating the virtues you embodied," her first daughter Donyegha Powei Queen promised in her tribute.

In her lengthy tribute, another daughter, Juliana Tonlagha expressed gratitude to her late mother for giving birth to her as she recalled the sacrifices the Late Sisi had to make to bring up her children responsibly. She further described her late mother as a role model, a visionary who valued education and provided for her children, and then adding further with the soothing words that tend to bring relief: "She who works well must rest well" she wrote, bidding her late mother a perfect rest.

For Israel Tonlagha, another of her son, he acknowledged how disciplined the Late Sisi was as he recalled, "You were never afraid to be my mother, to put your foot down, to teach me right from wrong, to make sure I did my best," and also citing the confidence his late mother had for him, and that moreover "You taught me love, patience and endurance," he added.

Yet still, another of her son, Tamaraebragha Tonlagha, sorrowful confessed, "It is now I feel you more in my heart, same way Christ Jesus died in pain, Sisi in pain you died for all," while another daughter, Juliet Tonlagha simply said, "I light an eternal flame, a symbol of the enduring warmth you provided. In my grief I find solace knowing that you are at peace."

Also, Timi Tonlagha (son) and Patience Tonlagha (daughter) also poured encomium on their late mother, centered on the virtues of love, cares, hard work, sacrifices and more.

Leading the grandchildren, Mr. Michael Tonlagha poured accolades on his late grandmother, describing her as "the best grandma in the world" and that "there was no dull moment with you and I thank you for all the love and care you showed me throughout my time with you," while he comically listed out some of the titles he had bestowed on her: "my pidgin prayer warrior, my wahala grandma, my aproko grandma, my Ijaw woman."

May her golden soul rest peacefully, Amen.

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