On June 30, 2011, the nation was woken with the shocking news of the death of one of the country’s biggest musical ambassador and famed Lady of songs, Christy Essien- Igbokwe.

An accomplished actress and philanthropist, Christy also known as Akpenor in the now rested TV  Sitcom, The New Masquerade died a few a months to her 51st birthday which was November 11, 2011.

She also died with the unfilled dream of not seeing her son Kaka walked down the aisle with his heart (She had actually chosen the wedding day in October).

Late Christy Essien

As recalled by this reporter, Mummy as she was also known by many for unparalleled philanthropy and kindness also died without living to release her 11th album. Michael Jackson also died few weeks to the date he was to release his 11th album. There were so many ifs that followed Christy’s demise.

As the first and only female president of the musicians apex union, Christy ensured that she left a legacy. She remains the only president that ever put food on the table for her colleagues during her two term tenure.

Blessed with four sons, Christy ensured the “boys” never for a moment missed having a sister as she was both a mother and a sister to them.

One year after her demise, the family set up a foundation, the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Foundation. The foundation which organized its maiden event on May 27  for the underprivileged and handicapped in the society aims at actualizing some of the dream of the Lady of Songs.

As we remember Madam Christy, her husband, friend  and brother, Edwin, relives her memories thus; “We live with the full realization of her physical separation in our family as we feel the vacuum created by her absence in our everyday lives. But it is for me as her husband and our four sons; not a time for celebration.

“It is rather for us a sober moment to reunite with her in faith and spirit as our family always did together while she was here with us, and time to glorify God who had admitted her into His place of Eternal Peace in Heaven”.

June 30, 2012 falls on a Saturday, but the family will be joining other people of good faith tomorrow July 1, 2012 for the memorial service at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral on Oba Akinjobi, G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos. The Church service according to Chief Igbokwe will begin at 10a.m.