Members of the Ijebu Anglican Diocese, friends and associates of the Doherty family of Ijebu Ife, Ogun State, including the town’s Balogun – General, Chief Charles Osisami and former Chairman of Island Club Lagos; Kola Abumere, on Saturday extolled the virtues of the late matriarch and centenarian, Madam Teclar Afolorunsho Doherty as she bade the world final goodbye.
Madam Doherty, a trader, died at 104 years. She was interred in Ijebu Ife, in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state after a funeral service at a – 53 – year old Cathedral of Christ Church at Iwade area of the town.
Dignitaries and children extolled her as a God -fearing woman and a loving mother who made necessary sacrifices to enable her children succeed in life.
They said she would be missed greatly.
In his glowing tribute, Special Apostle Oladayo Doherty, JP, described her as a loving and caring mother who would not want anybody to ill-treat her children.
Reckoning her late mum as one in a ‘million,’ Dayo said if he ever comes to the world next time, he would want Madam Teclar Folorunsho Doherty to be his mother all over again.
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He recalled how he travelled to Ibadan 59 years ago to meet her concerning his boarding school requirements, saying when he tabled all that he needed before his mother late in the night, she reassuringly told him there would be no problem getting ready all the items within 48 hours.
“My mother, I will never forget who suffered for my survival when I was a toddler. I remember in 1956 when I had measles, she looked after me and it is an expression I can never forget.
“When I gained entrance to grammar school back in 1963, my dad, now late, asked me to go to my mother for my boarding house requirements. I had travelled to Ibadan not knowing where she was living at the time. I went to my uncle who was her younger brother to show me where she was living at Gege Olopa.
“At night, when I told her my mission, she told me it won’t be a problem and the following day, we went out to start getting ready those requirements,” Dayo said.
Earlier in his sermon, Venerable Jacob Rotimi Olowomeye, said death is inevitable but added that it is not the end of the matter for those who believe in Jesus Christ and placed their faith in him.
Venerable Olowomeye said those who lived and died in Jesus Christ would experience reawakening on the resurrection day, saying Christ had conquered death on behalf of the believers.
He appreciated God for the exemplary and fulfilled life Madam Doherty lived and enjoined his children to celebrate and not grieve because of Christ’s work on the cross.