Grace Anyalebechi Chinenyenwa Ekeanyanwu nee Opurum passed away at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, on Thursday, May, 22, 2014. She was 80 years old. GC or Money Hard as she was affectionately called by her friends was born in Idem-Ukwu, Ogwa in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, West Africa, to Jeremiah “Aya” Opurum and Keziah “Wushi” Opurum nee Ejiofor. GC was a school teacher in Imo State and then became a full-time homemaker when her children were born. She was a devoted wife to Charles Onwubiko Ekeanyanwu, who passed away on August 3, 2005, at the age of 77. She was a senior sister to late Mercy Nwosu, Florence Unaji, Benjamin Opurum, and Iheanyi Opurum. She was a beloved aunt to late Chibueze Nnaemeka Martinson Nwosu, Uzoma Unaji, and Chukwuma Ekeanyanwu. She was the niece of Martha “Nweje” and first cousin of Sunday, both of Amauzari in Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, West Africa. She was also the beloved first cousin of Isaac Ejiofor of Alaenyi, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, West Africa.
GC was beloved by her late brother-in-law Owen U.I. Eke, Owen’s widow Lilia Eke, and Owen’s three sons: Ogemdi Eke; Chibueze Eke; Uchenna Eke; by her late sisters-in-law Mabel U. Onyejegbu and Faustina O.Nwachukwu.
GC was survived by her daughters Winifred A.I. Eke, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, Eudora Rita A. Ekeanyanwu, of Norwood, Massachusetts, Mildred N. Phillips, of Dedham Massachusetts, Blessing Ukwuegbu Chimezie of Oboro, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, West Africa; by grandchildren Chika Iruka Smith, Udoka Iruka Thompson, Nkemdiri Iruka Wheatley, Chimebere Iruka, Uchenna Iruka, Jidekene Iruka, Chidinma Iruka, Confidence Ekeanyanwu, Macvies Ekeanyanwu, and Ekene Chimezie. She was also survived by several greatgrandchildren.
Funeral service will be provided by Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Visiting hours at the Funeral Home are on Friday, May 30, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 9:00AM at St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 5160 Washington Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment afterwards at Brookdale Cemetery (High Street and Brookdale Avenue right after St. Mary of Assumption Church) Dedham, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Grace A. C. Ekeanyanwu’s name to St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 5160 Washington Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132.