Ukinebo Brenda Obaseki

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, Mrs. Ukinebo Brenda Obaseki.  Sixty-eight years young, Ukinebo passed away on April 19th, 2023. She was a kind, insightful and warm person who touched the lives of many and will be missed terribly by everyone that she touched.

Born in Benin City, Nigeria on September 24, 1954, Ukinebo was the beloved daughter of Omoruyi Oshodin and Lucy Ifueko Oshodin.  She was gifted academically, allowing her to move abroad to the UK to study at the tender age of 15.  Her first passion was Geology and in it she excelled, leading to a position with the Federal Geological Survey Department of Nigeria (1980 – 1990). In 1990, mom and family moved to Montreal before settling in Ottawa in 1992.  This move necessitated a change in career path, due to limitations in the physical landscape of the region.  Not one to be slowed by a challenge, mom took this as an opportunity to return to her studies, this time in Information Technology.  To that end, she attended the University of Ottawa and the Toronto School of Business before settling into her new career in the Canadian Federal Government.  Over the years, she worked as a consultant/trainer and analyst in different Canadian Government establishments.  Mom was particularly sought after for her unique programming knowledge and skillset.  She was passionate about her work and was known for her attention to detail and strong work ethic. Her professional achievements were remarkable, and she was admired and respected by her colleagues and peers.

Mom was a staple in the Nigerian community here in Canada.  She was a natural leader, serving as the Vice President (2004-2006) and then President (2006 to 2010) of the Nigerian Canadian Association in Ottawa.  Even after her tenure, she supported the incoming Presidents and community with guidance and advice.  To many Nigerian newcomers to Canada, she served as a parental extension, helping to ease nerves of those back home in Nigeria and to settle in and guide the newcomers in their transition to life in Canada.  She was very much an extended member of the family to hundreds of immigrant families to Canada.  Her calm demeanor, warm smile and infectious laughter will be deeply missed within the Nigerian-Canadian community.

Although very accomplished professionally, what made mom truly special was the way she touched the lives of those around her. She had a warmth to her presence, one that those around her gravitated toward.  She was a good listener, insightful, caring, and compassionate.  Family was paramount to her, but her definition of who was family was so expansive it was often difficult to distinguish blood relatives from the many others included in her loose definition of family.  She was a surrogate mother to many, known around the globe as “Mama/Mommy”.  She was generous to seemly no end with her most precious commodity, time. 

Mom is survived by by her sister Omosede Osagiede and four children Eheneden Danny Obaseki (Stephanie), Iyogie Igbinigie (Hope), Osayande Dave Obaseki (Connie), Osarume Obaseki Ikenuo (Franklin).  As ‘Grandma’, she deeply treasured (and spoiled) her 11 grandchildren (Trinity, Oduwa, Itohan, Fédora, Jackson, Tristan, Honor, Farrell, Keenan, Caleb and Carter).  Marshmallows for breakfast and late nights past bedtime were a particular favourite among this group.  Taking after her own mother, mom felt it her duty to teach all the youngsters the foundations in mathematics.  She is pre-deceased by her parents and brother, Emeritus Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin.

In her memory, we will continue to honor her legacy by living our lives with the same kindness, compassion, and generosity of spirit that she exemplified. Rest in peace, dear mom. You will be forever missed, but never forgotten.  

Family and friends are invited to attend a Visitation/Wake at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa), on Sunday, May 7^th, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held the following day on Monday, May 8^th, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., followed by interment at Beechwood Cemetery, a continued Celebration of her Life will be held at St Elias Center (750 Ridgewood Ave, Ottawa) from 12:30 p.m.  to 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Foundation.