Remembering Susan Kagori

"CHEROLETTE"

2012-02-23T18:00:00.000+03:00

Aunty Sue,

The message was shocking and all that I had to say was’ WHY Now’. I had no answers but kept on asking. It was sudden and unbelievable but all in all God has a better reason and an answer to my question. You were more of than an aunty, you babied me and treated me just like your daughter. I still don’t believe you are gone. Your kindness and the love that you gave me will always be with me in every step I take, I will do it right and ask for God guidance. I miss you. ‘Now whom will I be hugging every morning and evening? Who will remind me to pray when am going to bed?

Whenever I was stressed out or depressed you would give me ‘THE SECRET ‘and correct me when I was wrong and I remember taking it positively because you knew how to approach me and explain it clearly so that I understood it. Memories of us watching TPF in your bedroom, holding the aerial trying to find the signals; going with you and Idah for horse riding, going out with you and Aunty Judy, cooking with you.....these and many other favourites we did together will always be treasured in my heart, never to be forgotten. Telling me to always take care of myself ‘THANKS ALOT AUNTY SUE’

You always would ask after my day in school, you calling me ‘Cherolette’; I miss your voice. I can still feel your presence all over the house. You became my ‘mum’ and I miss the care and love that you gave me. Whenever I would be late coming from school you always called to ensure that I was safe and on theway home. I felt protected and secure living with you. I can still remember our last conversation ‘Mkienda party take care of the babies’ and I told you I was worried and you told me ’Dont worry you need to pray’ and hugged me goodnight. Had I known that was the last hug, I would have stayed some more and spent some more time close to you.

The motherly treat that you gave me will still be there spiritually. Your smile always brightened me up whenever I was sad. I love you Aunty Sue. I take a deep breath and leave it to God.

‘I LOVE YOU AND I WILL ALWAYS DO THAT. I THANK GOD FOR THE YEARS HE GAVE YOU TO SPEND WITH US. R.I.P SWEET AND LOVELY AUNTY. I MISS YOU...

Jerotich

A LOVING MUM

2011-08-02T17:38:00.000+03:00

Auntie Sue,

As I write this, I still fight the tears that form in my eyes because of your unexpected departure. However, I know deep inside you’re beside God with all His glory. As I recall all the moments we shared, it is almost impossible to believe you’re gone. I smile remembering how I spent a whole December holiday with you and my cousin Nate, whereby I underwent tutoring on ‘mother skills’ which included changing diapers and waking up late in the night to hush Nate back to sleep. I also remember you taking Idah for her horse riding lessons and how your face brimmed with pride each time Idah completed a task. You were and forever will be a loving mother.

I’ll miss you terribly and so much but since we are all one family, I trust our love will be forever binding. Although I’ll miss the moments you used to demonstrate dancing moves during the Christmas party ,or how you would show off some new clothes you got ,especially the purple sweater you promised to give me, I thank God for the time He granted us with though it was short-lived, I believe all the memories, secrets and advice shared will be kept to heart ,refreshed in the mind and forever written in our souls.

I wish I had the chance to say ‘I love you’ once more but now I’ll just whisper it as a prayer , hoping and trusting ,that you will hear.

Stacey

A GIFT

2011-08-02T17:13:00.000+03:00

God gives and takes. We thank you for the gift of Auntie Susan.

At first, I didn’t believe that you were gone. I was in a state of shock and did not know what to do. It is painful and now that she left Idah and Nate, it will be hard to grow up knowing that their mother won’t be there, but we will keep them close as one family…. I will surely miss you Auntie Susan especially because you used to like parties and have fun.

Rest in peace and we shall dearly miss you.

Kuki

THE REAL DEAL

2011-08-02T16:34:00.000+03:00

Suz, my sista, my friend...for someone who has always had something to say about everything and anything.....putting this down in writing is not an easy thing for me. I watched Suz grow and actually mothered her; mother hen as Suz always called me. I remember chasing Suz to bathe not because Suz didn’t like it, but because for you Suz there were so many things to do, discover, places go to! I always told her if she ever wondered how she was as a child to observe her daughter IdahReese! she was a great mom to her kids....Miss IdahReese like we would call her and Nate....baba as she always called him when he was up to something. I guess she finally knew and understood the essence of a being a "mother hen". Whenever I needed someone to talk to for everything and nothing, Suz was the one I called. And of course being close sisters where "411" was in full operation and oh boy....it will never be the same!

Our parties will never be the same again....the planning, preparation.....who will be cutting the onions without crying or making that tasty chicken now?! Suzs made life look so easy...there was always a way out to all situations. Younger as you were, there was something about our relationship; am really gonna miss that.....you were special to me and will treasure that forever and celebrate a well lived life! When she called me and announced that she had rededicated her life to Christ I was so excited; little did I know she will be gone so soon!

I know God’s ways are not our ways neither are His thoughts our thoughts. Who are we to question God, we live by His mercies. I pray for His grace to see us through....May God plant a hedge of protection around our family forever as we come to terms with everything considering we are still recovering Chanjo’s demise.

All in all am glad you are in a better place.

Love you, loved you for being real!

Kathy Shee

IT'S NOT OVER YET!

2011-08-02T13:45:00.000+03:00

A while back I was a scrawny red-eyed kid with a bad hair style and Susan was the most beautiful thing on the Planet.

Ok, fast forward twenty something years later, that hasn't changed.

You are a Sweetheart, My Sweetheart. You showed me Love, You brought me joy.

WE HAD A DEAL, why did you have to go and read from somebody else's script?

I'm sad and the sad part is that it's real.

You will continue to occupy the same place you always occupied in my heart.
It's not over.

I love you and I always will.

Prince Keli

SMILE ON!

2011-08-02T13:39:00.000+03:00

Suzy,

God graciously picked you

You are not in pain

No more tears

Your smile is bigger

Your eyes brighter

For you are in His loving care

Rest in peace.

Njeri Wanyoike-Kariuki

MEMORY OF JOY IN PRESENT GRIEF

2011-08-02T13:31:00.000+03:00

Suzie,

There is no pain greater than the memory of Joy in present grief. Suzie, we are thinking of you today and how you made the world a better place. You were a source of comfort to many and you offered guidance when needed.

Our father in heaven knows about every bird that falls on the ground but doesn’t prevent it. You were a strong woman who always got her way and was full of life. Suzie, your departure came too soon. We let you rest calmly as we say goodbye to thank the one who made a difference in our lives.

In our hearts and thoughts you will forever remain fresh as ever, our love for you even in death will always be strong, your smiles and laughter will always be remembered till we meet again.

Koma thayu Suzie.

GONE BUT NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

2011-08-02T13:27:00.000+03:00

Sue,

Now where do I start? On Thursday evening, 2nd Dec 2010 we talked for awhile just before your surgery and all seemed well, you had a happy tone in your voice. First of all you were a blessing to everyone in our family; you were a sister and a friend. We had good memories together, henging out, staying indoors watching movies when we had time. You always called me asking me how I was I doing. Recently you told me not be stressed and to work smart and hard at work. I really admired you at work, you gave it your all and that inspired me to do the same. I felt good working with you in the same organization and I will really miss you.

Guys didn’t call you Madonna for nothing, God gave you a unique beauty. Wawawawa! I will really miss your smiles so much but I know Idah and Nate will represent you. There so many good things you did for us and we are really thankful.

REST IN PEACE MY DEAR SIS, your love and presence will always be here with us. I can’t believe am writing all this because I still I don’t believe you’re gone.

Njuguna

A FAVORITE AUNTIE

2011-08-02T13:17:00.000+03:00

Aunty Susan, my other mommy,

Fun, loving, kind and caring. She corrected me anytime I did the wrong thing. She loved all of us with her kind heart. My favourite auntie, we could talk football and argue about Arsenal & Man U. She will be dearly missed.

May God be with you.

Kris.

A CONFIDANT LIKE NO OTHER

2011-08-01T16:21:00.000+03:00

Sis,

...our famous photo.....look at those specs....aiyayayai... this photo has been on my dressing table mirror for eons...I get to see you every day...and will always see you every day....when I wake up and go to bed.

Everyone has someone to confide in...you were the one I would confide in when it came to matters of the female species...and there were so many matters I had...you would listen to me as I let you in into what was going on in my life...you would tease me every time we spoke on this...you would offer advice, solutions...some I took...some I didn’t... the one thing you always said is follow your heart...so long as I am happy...follow your heart..

I will still talk to you on the same...and you best find a way of answering back to me...from the glorious place you are at now... to me you are still around somewhere... a phone call, an email away...so expect to be hearing from me..there is so much more I need to download...

Always...truly...deeply loved sis...

Daud

LIFE IN BEAUTIFUL COLORS

2011-08-01T15:58:00.000+03:00

Susan was a friend and colleague; the kind that stands by you when you need somebody to be there.

I remember how Susan used to come into my office, excited to share events that occurred in church, or about what she heard the man of God say over the radio. Or how she shocked her pastor with her contacts. She always had something new, exciting and out of this world to share. I was genuinely happy for Susan, she worked very hard for everything she received, and God was beginning to show her things and take her places, restoring her for what may have appeared to be lost time.

What is it that we remember when we think of Susan? I think everyone who knows her very well would agree with me on this. It was her colourful character and contagious smile. That's the trademark of Susan Kabura Kagori. She was the kind of person who saw life in beautiful colours and one that would keep you talking because she laughed heartily at every joke.

Susan’s death was sudden. I remember when I heard the news I simply could not believe it. 'Yesterday evening we laughed and today your gone? How?' She was far too young, and full of promise, she had just been promoted and looking forward to her new role. Susan was well-loved and had done so many things on earth and I’m sure she’ll do much more in heaven. I will forever be grateful to have known her. I will forever be grateful that she knew God the Father at her time of departure, and is possibly colouring the heavens already with her personality.
The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories which we have all witnessed is a testimony to the way this singular figure, who now remains only in our memory, touched so many lives. Having departed without the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. We've lost the irreplaceable personality. All the memories we have shared with Susan will forever be cherished and remembered. She will forever live with us. Her joyous light in our lives, inspiration of excellence, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.
Susan is in heaven now. This is not the time for us to grieve her death but it’s our time to celebrate her life.
Don’t ever forget that, she never wanted to see people cry, rather she believed in people and wanted to bring out the best of everyones potential and hope in the future. So at this moment when we are about to lay her body to rest, let’s all think back and remember how she touched our lives. How she touched us all in a special way, and how good Susan was as a person. This is not the moment for us to shed our tears but we should all be thankful that we were given the chance to have known her.
Our hearts go out to all Susan's friends, family and everyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing, working or laughing with her.

Susan, we will miss you.

Charlie Owino - DHL Kenya

UNFORGETTABLE

2011-08-01T15:27:00.000+03:00

Suzy,

Oh no...I will miss but never forget....

your unique laugh and rediant smile...

your sense of humour...

your determination and resoluteness....

your toughness like the person you were named after...

your gentle, warm and conforting presence...

Till we meet again....watch over us.

Kibutu Wanyoike

2011-08-01T15:26:00.000+03:00

I remember my cousin smiling, giving me a big hug. A happy person, outgoing, friendly, open. She called me out of the blue at VSO ten years ago to tell me she had chosen Christ.

Suzie. Elegant, beautiful, spirited and spiritual. Loved life - a good meal, a good joke, good company. A responsible mother, cousin, daughter.

Am so thankful for Oktoberfamfests for the chance it gave us to know something of one another.

Gillian Nyambura

MY EVERYTHING

2011-07-30T16:13:00.000+03:00

My sista, my BFF, my mentor, my heng bud, my chauffeur, my conscience, my reasoning partner, my fashion guru, my Hollywood connection. My life is on a standstill. Whatever am gonna do without you, only God knows. I keep thinking I'll awake and it's like Friday never happened. I miss you.

In retrospect, our goodbye process started early on this year. I just didn’t realize it till now. Convincing me to move to be close to you and constantly telling me that I was Nate and Idah’s other mummy. You and I have been in each other’s business for so long, there are some people who believe we are twins. I remember looking up to you because you could do things that I would not dare try – I remember when cousin Mungai was teaching us to ride a bicycle and I got scratched by the chain and that was the end of that session for me. Not you, you fell, got up back on the bicycle and rode off. You would do somersaults effortlessly, do back flips and walk on your hands like you were on your feet. When we had to work in the shamba during school holidays, you would finish your allotted area way ahead of me and though you would complain, you would rescue me and finish my allotted area too. When we were much younger and I was the last born, I would pick on you and just be a nag and never once would you hit me back. You were so patient with me, always looking out for me. We went to Sunday School together, had our Confirmation classes together and you took me to Church when you decided we really needed to get know God. And lucky me I got to come to school in Nairobi earlier than everyone else because we had to be together. You took me to my first house party, to my first disco, brought me my first love note and you were the one who taught me the importance of family togetherness, looked out for me when some guy was trying to be funny and fiercely stood up for me when anyone hurt me. You and I have being thick as thieves, we would always do the simplest of things together and yet be able to let the other be when they needed space. You have held my hand through some really tough points of my life, calmed me down when I lost my temper over one thing or the other and gave me such practical, common sense solutions! When IdahReese choose to call me mom instead of auntie, you had no issues with that and after that allowed her to tag us as mummy 1 and mummy 2. You trusted me to love your babies as I trusted you with mine. Apparently now I am required to support Arsenal so that Kris and I can discuss football at a competitive level; Man U v Arsenal; how you guys teased each other!!! And we all know the way I ‘love’ football!! Lol!

When I started the CS Dept at work, you mentored me, became a fabulous resource, taught me the WOW factor and there were so many things we planned to do together with your promotion to Customer Service Manager. When I didn’t have a job and Kris was a baby, you took care of us, checking up on me incase I was in trouble and not letting you know. You remain an amazing, beautiful part of my life; I do not have the strength to say goodbye, I wanna say see you later.

I Love You Susanna!

BFF

2011-07-29T17:52:00.000+03:00

Suzie,

Words are not enough to describe what I am going through right now and it hurts even to put this down on paper. I can’t even begin to express what your leaving us so soon has done to my very soul. It is almost like a physical pain.

You really made such a big impact in my life from the moment I met you. We have shared such great moments together – both joyous and sad ones.

We have had great discussions and made good decisions together regarding life, business and work. We were BFF – best friends forever and now that you are gone, I just give thanks for the years that we have shared – I will surely miss you.

Fare thee well Suzie and I hope we shall meet again and pick off from where we left off.

Kinyash

BEAUTY INSIDE OUT

2011-07-29T17:44:00.000+03:00

My Sweet Suzs,

Being your elder sister, I am privileged to be one of the very few people who first saw your famous sweet smile - you were such a beautiful baby – I remember how in shags people would stop to stare at how beautiful you were. But unlike most beautiful people, you had a beautiful heart too. You had this amazing gift of turning any moment or place from being dull into a happy joyous one. You disliked sadness, worries, and anything that would cloud your day.

Oh Suzs! How I will miss you! You were never really just a sister but a treasured friend. I remember how you always said that your sisters were your best friends. Yes, you made us all feel really special. And it’s true – each one of us had a unique and special relationship with you. Anyone who knows our family will attest to how as sisters we are so tight and admired us for it. Can I forget the 411s?!!! – Oh! That was something else! The Skype moments with you and Juds as we shared advices, jokes and teased one another. As for our outings ………. we always had an excuse to get together and celebrate something. Our sista-sista kitchen moments in my house will never be the same again - we not only cooked up great meals but had a great time as well doing it. Our family gatherings will miss your lovely presence. And Oh yes, you were such a great mum to Idah and Nate!

That Friday morning at Nairobi hospital was one of the worst I have ever had to go through – the pain, the anger, the questions, the self-blame….. did God have to take you too, so soon after Chanjo? You were so full of life, full of promise, great things were happening to you and you had just recently re-dedicated your life to Jesus. We were meant to celebrate your promotion that weekend. But I know God loves all that is bright and beautiful – I know you make such a lovely addition to the beautiful angels up there. Keep smiling down on your beautiful babies and on us from up there. I know when I will look up whether on a bright night or a sunny day, I know that you will be up there smiling!

I love you Suzs , I will miss you so, and you will always occupy a special place in my heart. I truly treasure all the beautiful memories that we shared and thank God for giving you to us. And now in Idah and Nate, you will live among us. Fare thee well, my lovely sister.

Margie

YOU STILL LIVE

2011-07-29T16:01:00.001+03:00

My dearest Auntie Sue

Auntie, it’s very sad and painful, my eyes full of tears but I have to accept what has happened; God has a reason. I always cry whenever I think of your love and caring manners towards people. Sharing jokes and sweet stories full of laughter we used to have together .I thank God for the time He gave us here on earth to spend with you. Thank you for driving us safely to and from various places. Auntie Sue, I will miss you so much. Thank you so much for visiting my kahouse I remember you telling me ‘don’t worry my dear, we all started from the same place and now we are here’.

Good memories will always be with me especially the day you and I went out and had fun together, dancing and talking and laughing. It’s inconceivable that you are gone.

The better place that you are heading will always be a watch tower to your family and friends. When you reach that holy place please say hello to my Dad and Uncle Chanjo and tell them I miss them very much and I do love them greatly.

Although you are not here physically, you will still live because of Idah and Nate. GOD BLESS YOU SO MUCH. I LOVE YOU REST IN PEACE.

Nduta