Tributes

Dear Edem, our path crossed 37 years ago. We became friends and later became a couple. Till date some still call me Dzigbede due to how close I was to your family. People had difficulty in determining whether I was a sibling or a husband.

Our journey had been a daunting one but littered with God’s Love. You gave me three children and honoured with two grandchildren (The Azar’s / Azagbadah’s). For these little ones you left behind, I can only guess their expectations: “When is grandma going to come back from No.26 to bathe us?, Can you tell grandma to bring powder when she is coming?”.

Edem, You did a lot for me and our children. I owe you so much and I shall forever remain indebted. But you know what, I take solace in the Grace and Mercy of God that, through His Love Son Jesus and His Will Son Imanuel, my indebtedness shall translate into roses of blessings on your journey into the beyond. Your works shall follow you and will determine your new home. I and the children will miss you. You had no choice but to respond to a higher call. Accept my dignity and respect.

Before and after the demise of your parents, you were the mainstay for the entire family. You will always be remembered for your selfless deeds and kindness. These has been your attitude and character which was never also lost on your work colleagues, friends, patients and their relatives. You gave to humanity your being through your love to care for the sick and the vulnerable as a nurse. This you did right into your retirement till 19th April 2020 when you were recalled. For this, you will always be remembered.

Now! soul of a woman, Edem Awo Dzigbede awake! you fought your good fight so do not look back on the pain or happiness you encountered during your experiences on earth. They will delay you in assessing the help the Love of God will grant you through your helpers and guides if you brook and ponder over your earthly activities. That chapter is closed and a new one is being forged for you. And  the only way forward is to constantly look up to Light of God. The Wisdom of God rules the worlds. Creation is governed by Laws which manifest His Will.

Our beloved mother, grandma, sister, friend, colleague and wife departed this life at a time the world is experiencing another paradigm shift. A spiritual turning point for humanity. Is a decision time and a wake-up call for the  entire nations and their people to determine their destiny leading into the next 100 years and thereafter. Mankind must begin to seek blessings in every misfortune.

I am comforted in the Lord and know Edem would want all loved ones to seek meaning of our present happenings that continue to reveal the vanity and emptiness that has plagued our world till now.

To the rose of our lives. Your love exceeded boundaries which we often took for granted. From conception you knew you were bringing in rebels that would never conform to norms.

Together with Dad, you showed us how to follow paths that leads to light without uttering a word. Our household became a freehold where we did what we want but within rules and never out of line.

Striving for perfection you were a no nonsense say it as it is kind of mum. With you we learnt to go for dreams that looks impossible while you cheer us on. Before we need you provide by grace. You will without thought give us your penny for us to turn to a pound someday.

You taught us the craft of giving others benefit of the doubt but sometimes that rope becomes too short and you just want to scream but still no one ever hears of it. Hatred you had none but hurt a few which showed us you were human after all.

We stood as knights to fight for you just as you would for all but you always sat us down showing the battle and judgement is never ours. We wish we could have you physically for years to come but as the saying goes they are never horses…

So all we can say now is this. We are thankful Oh Lord for blessing us with such a shining light! We pray to remember all her verbal and silent teachings to guide us to our destined destination.

The most loving, hardworking Mum we could ever ask for. We salute you! You’ve done all. We will take it from here trust us and trust your guides waiting to lead you. continue in joyful activity till we meet some day.

Sister Awo! Sister Edem! Ma! Our Sweet Loving Mum! Hede Nyuie! Fare thee well. Love always Etor, Selorm and Seli.

Tribute From The Dzigbede Family

A big tree has fallen in our family. Oh!!! Edem you have gone too soon!!!.  you served humanity a career and ended it on the battle front.

Edem you raised the flag of the Dzigbede family high before the world.

Honestly your sadden departure have left tears in our eyes and we are consolidated in the fact that you are our hero.

Edem fare thee well and may the good Lord receive you in his bosom to rest peacefully until we meet again with the Lord.

By Eselase Korsi Dzigbede(Head of Family-Tsito)

Tribute From Tefe To His Beloved Sister Edem

Sister Awo you know that life on earth is a school, as the experiences we go through, whether they are joyful or painful are the teachers.

Edem, please recognize the creator in them and strive to identify the helpers that are standing by to help you on this journey.

While on Earth you were permitted to recognize this help in the work, In the light of truth, the grail message, which is anchored in the whole of creation including the great beyond that you now traverse. Remember it’s words and never depart from its path. Then it’s light will radiantly illuminate your way.

May you awaken into joyful activity.

Mama, Kofi,Yao and Edem wishing you a safe journey. Sister Awo safe journey.

Tribute From Nephew

Edem, Awo, Dzigbede. That’s the name our beloved “S” and Tata gave you. Your school mates and work colleagues called you Edem! I call you “Nɔde Awo”.

How could l have thought, that my visit to you at The Ho General Hospital so many years ago would be our final meeting on this earth! Our lives certainly took us in different directions though we both wounded up in the health care field.

Your work schedule and that of mine as well as family demands left little time to reconnect, compounded by the fact you were no fun of social media! But how all that begun to change for us this year, following your brief retirement. You went back to work, but with a more manageable schedule so you got on WhatsApp. (Thanks to Etornam’s prodding).

So we chatted more, you sent me good morning and uplifting messages as you enter the thick of your work day and mine just about to start as we live on different continents. We were so looking forward to finally reuniting again, chat in person, recount our struggles and success together, which l am sure would have led to some tears shed.

Boy! Was I looking forward to that!. But it was not to be. My tears are rather for the missed opportunity, that you are forever gone rather than the tear that was to celebrate our common triumph in the midst of adversity and tremendous odds.

It is heart warming for me to know that you got to visit home one last time before setting off. Your legacy and hard work lives on in Etornam, Selorm, and Seli, as well as the many patients you cared for, and put your life on the line to save.

“Efio, Atsormor, Atifufu, Kaklo, “suit bad” dzrala. Woe wɔdɔ gbedegbe. Zɔ nyuie. Mawu neklpɔ wo nado afe dedie.”

For, as stated in scripture that can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:42, “Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever”

I look forward to meeting up again with you in the forever world. Hede nyuie, Nɔde Awo. Rest In Peace.

Prosper.

Tribute From Colleagues

Sister Edem worked on the Respiratory care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich where she was a ward sister until her early retirement in July 2019. However, she returned to the trust as a bank staff and continued to work regularly on the Unit.

Sister Edem was a strong leader and very disciplined in her leadership role. She was a devoted worker who went out of her way to provide quality care to all patients in her care. The Respiratory care unit was a very busy Ward with constant high acuity and dependent patients, most nurses did not feel comfortable working on this ward but sister Edem worked there with confidence and passion.

To prove her devotion and commitment to the Ward, she was always available to cover the Ward even on her day off. She was a role model to junior colleagues and most of them learnt a lot from her wealth of knowledge. She was very supportive and encouraging to colleagues. 

Sister Edem was a legend, we all constantly joked about “Edem School of Nursing” as a unique team on the Respiratory care, you must graduate from this school to be equipped with providing safe, efficient and effective care to all patients. As you lay to rest sister Edem, We will all miss you dearly.

From her work colleagues and friends at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS TRUST

Tribute to my dear friend Sister Edem

Tears are still running down my eyes, when I think that I will never see you again. It was a great opportunity to spend 11 years with you in service, as a senior colleague you taught me a lot of things. You helped me to enhance in my career as nurse in so many different ways. Your love, support and encouragement made me to cope on a very busy respiratory ward for so long. We shared memories together, cracked jokes and had a lot of fun times. Working together with you was a blessing, we went through difficult and stressful situations, but you calmness and patience was highly admired.

An instance I will never forget was when the respiratory ward was split into two. When this happened I was moved to 14b and you to 14a. After several months, I was asked to join ward 14a which I was not happy to do. I can still clearly remember, one night duty together you called aside, put your loving arms around me, and said “why don’t you want to come to 14a … I am here, come lets work together!” This was one of the best decision I ever made in my nursing career. I enjoyed every moment of working with you, you had nickname for me (Isha) when you want me to do special favours.

Sister Edem, thank you for being a role model, mentor, dedicated and disciplined individual. You gave love and friendship to many. Your kindness to me and my family will never be forgotten. My youngest son who was only 7 years old when I met you, received a birthday present from you every year. We journeyed together in your family car both from work and social occasions numerous of times. Sister Edem as you return to the maker, I pray the angel lead you home. I thank god for your life on earth and our good time together. Farewell Sister Edem rest in perfect peace, I miss you greatly.

Isatu Jackson

Tribute from Maureen Mazivisa

I worked with Sister Edem for 8 years in QE hospital. It was an honour to have known such an amazingly kind, hardworking and dedicated person. Sr Edem was love and love was Sr Edem.

You were a mother to me and Mentor. I remember when l started working at QE ward 14 and I did not know how to use an ECG Machine and you gladly taught me. You taught me most of the things at some point l thought l was a nurse, all your teachings did not go in vain. Where ever l go and do bank shifts, some managers wanna offer me permanent post, thanks to your Edem’s school of Nursing.

Now that you are gone who is going to tell me off? Who am l going to call or cry too? May you rest in Eternal Peace gone but not forgotten. I will forever miss you Mama Sister Edem.