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 7th, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held the following day on Monday, May 8th, 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.
Digital Guestbook
Festus Ikenuo
FLORENCE GBINIGIE
It is still like a dream to me that you are gone big sis Ukinebo. I wandered why I wasn't getting your messages and calls as usual, only to be told that you had gone to be with the Lord.
Your gentility, passion to help those that cross your path, and concern for family issues will be greatly missed. You have left a great legacy that many will ever live to remember. We really love you, but God love you more and decided to take you home at this time. However, we cannot question him. You gave your brother a befitting and peaceful burial, little did you know, that your time was very close. I pray that God will step into the vacuum created by your passing away in the lives of your lovely children, grand children, inlaws, we the family members and well wishers you left behind. Rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ till we meet to part no more. Amen
Hon. Dr. Amb. Florence Gbinigie (JP)
Olorunsola Osaretin Avan-Nomayo
She was always full of life and held a great insightful conversation the few times we spoke over the phone. I had hoped to experience such light, life and laughter in person but was unfortunately too late.
Rest in Peace Mama...You are loved, remembered and cherished.
Joy Uyigue Adodo
We will forever miss you.
Aunt Uki, it is hard to believe that the angels have carried you home at a time we least expected. We hardly take in the fact that your sudden demise has unexpectedly terminated the moments we would have enjoyed with you after your retirement from service.
Auntie, as I always referred you; you are a beautiful woman with a good heart and God fearing. But it is hard to come to terms with the fact that we will never hear from you again. Sweet memories fill me anytime I remember the advice you found pleasure in sharing with me whenever we spoke, they will forever be cherished.
Psalms 119:50 - My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life.
You fought a good fight and won the race. You left a legacy that will be read through the generations, current and to come. You left a mark in our hearts, which nothing will ever erase. It is indelible in our hearts.
You are a rare gem and will forever be cherished.
Joy Uyigue Adodo (Nee Gbinigie)
Israel Osarodion Eweka
I had thought of joining you to celebrate your 70th birthday anniversary in a couple of years which we spoke about several times, including over the phone. I did not know I will be attending your funeral instead. My biggest pain is how I feel about the timing of your departure. I wanted you to stay longer to meet my kids, first of whom had only just arrived few weeks before I got that call from your mobile phone announcing your demise. I smiled when the call came in but cried when it ended. I wanted you to stay long enough for me and my children to bestow the honour you truly deserved on you for a long time to come.
I have always enjoyed your company because there was so much positivity to take out of every single second that ticked away in your very friendly and lively company. Your intelligence was admirably stunning because you did not flaunt it, it radiated effortlessly especially when you engaged with people on natural, general, professional and interdisciplinary issues. I also love your great sense of decency, responsibility and candour. You hated anything ostentatious, loved anything that is of quality but mixed with modesty. You knew how to anticipate other people's needs with a good use of empathy.
We celebrate your departure because you were a celebrity, a great icon, a legendary scholar, a home builder and a fantastic cook. You had a sound sense of judgement and admirable morals. You were a tireless supporter for everyone's dreams. You were also a cheerleader especially to your children and grandchildren, a role you brilliantly played till your last moment on earth.
I remember the role you played in helping me fast track UNIBEN's release of my master's scholarship funding in the UK back in 2013. That was one of many occasions when you literally stood by me in critical moments of my life. Gilead, my first child, and his siblings yet unborn will definitely hear of this much love you have shown me and I will ensure they paid tributes to your memory.
Rest on mummy.
O. IGHO NATUFE
Dear Uki,
The news of your transition on April 19, 2023 came to me as a rude shock. You have responded to God’s invitation to join him in Heaven. This is an inevitable invitation that God issues at the appropriate time in his Judgement. God knows best.
We thank God for guiding you through a successful visit on earth and for providing you with the wisdom and resources to cater for your children, Eheneden, Iyogie, Osayande and Osarume, together with their respective spouses and children. As the respected matriarch of your family, your devotion to your children and grandchildren is an enviable legacy of yours that will sustain the test of time.
We mourn your passing, while we thank the Almighty for the exemplary character you demonstrated and bequeathed to your family, friends and associates. Life is entry and exit. And only God knows the schedule of each phase of life.
May God grant your family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss occasioned by your transition.
May your soul rest in perfect peace.
O. Igho Natufe
Ame Odaro-Adjei
My Aunty Uki,
There's never been a time in my life that I can remember you not being there. It is still surreal to know that you are now only with us in spirit. I shall miss your warmth, your voice, your smile, your big hugs, your effervescence and your love. Thank you so loving us so much. Rest well in the bosom of the Almighty - and please kiss my mama for me if you see her.
Ade Musah-Eroje
The news of your passing onto glory came as a rude shock to me dear auntie Uki
You were a beautiful and beloved cousin , very warm and selfless
You have ran the race of faith and fought a good fight indeed
Rest in the Lord’s bosom till the resurrection
May the Lord bless and comfort your children, grandchildren, sister, cousins, and friends.
We love you dear auntie Uki but Jesus loves you best . Good night
Esohe
Aunty Uki, it is so surreal writing a message about you in past tense. God knows just how much of shock your loss remains. You were always there when you were needed during trials and never spared an opportunity to show support or share your pride in our family tribulations. I have the fondest memories of you from as far back as I can remember when Iyogie and I were flower girls at Aunty Edugie's wedding in 1985, sleep overs, picnics. Thank you for your love when my mum passed away so suddenly and even before when you led prayers at her 70th birthday only two weeks before. In spite of physical distance, you always made effort to stay in touch. Thank you for all you were and all your memory will mean to us.
My darling cousins, Iyogie, Heneden, Osayande and Osarume, know that we are here for you. Our generation will be as close if not closer than our parents who were indeed close. Please let's celebrate the beautiful woman and progressive lady that Aunty Uki was. We had her for a short time but longer than so many others. May her memory be a blessing to us.
Iyabo Akai
Coming to reality that I'll never see her on this side of life is still hard but trusting God for comfort for all who are sorrowful.
Aunty Uki will be missed and memories of her, cherished ?
Proud of Eheneden and Steph, Iyogie and Hope, Osayande and Connie, Osarume and Franklin. Also the amazing grandchildren. You've all done well to give her a befitting funeral.
Good night Aunty. Sleep well
A rare gem you are. We are sure you are resting with the Lord, we take solace in the life you lived. Eternal rest mama.