Keziah Wanjira Ngumi passed away on February 27th, 2023 in Mesa, Arizona at the age of 86. She was born on May 8th, 1936 in Cura, Kiambu, Kenya and is preceded in death by her husband the late Samuel Ngumi Wainaina, her son the late Charles Wainaina and her late daughter in-law Hannah Wanjiru. She was the daughter of the late Mambo Nginyo Kimenyi, and Phyllis Wanjiku Mambo.
“Nyina wa Ciru” as she was fondly called, attended Cura primary school, Kabete Girls intermediate school, and Loreto Teacher Training (In Riara). She eventually attended Thogoto College where she graduated as a P1 Teacher. She became a well loved teacher.
She went on and got married to Samuel Ngumi Wainaina and they were blessed with seven children. Rebecca, Lucy,the late Wainaina, Mambo, Gachega, Gathoni and Wambui. She had 12 grandchildren – Karanja, Mahiaini, Ngumi, Jane, Njoki, Wanjira, Makenna, Kairu, Muna, Jaden, Jamille and EJ as well as one great granddaughter, Amirah.
Mama Ciru did not stay in teaching for long and she went on to become a farmer and lived many of her married years in Kanyariri. She was a successful agricultural entrepreneur who farmed chickens, cows and other livestock as well as growing vegetables and flowers which allowed her to support her family. She later moved to the USA to be with her children and became a US citizen. She traveled frequently from the USA to her home in Kenya.
She was a devout Christian and an active member of the Anglican Church of Kenya in Kanyariri, Kabete. She was beloved and well respected in her community.
Nyina wa Ciru, took her last breath at home in Mesa, Arizona surrounded by her children. She was a loving mother and grandmother who gave up her life’s comforts in order to keep her family together. She will be greatly missed.
05/08/1936 – 02/27/2023
Service Date: 03/09/2023
Public Viewing:10:30 am
Service Time: 11:00 am
Service Location and Interment: Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85297 USA
Go well mama
I choose to celebrate your life well lived as you rest in God’s precious arms till we meet again in glory. Continue rejoicing and dancing Kigocho with the king of kings and the Lord of Lord’s that you so loved dearly. Sleep well Mum!❤️❤️❤️
I will always miss your smile and your advice that we love one another all the time. RIP mum
Mum, i will dearly miss you. I have fond memories of the times we had with you in Kenya, when you visited us in our home at Langata and at Kanyariri, where you warmly welcomed us whenever we visited. We felt very comfortable around you because you emitted peace and humility from within you. May your soul rest in peace till we meet again❤️❤️❤️
May the entire family be comforted by God’s embrace. Sleep well mum
I pay that the Lord of all comfort will stand by the family , heaven gained an angel . I met her once in a Phoenix kigocho, she danced with such zeal! I am sure she is facing the real Kigocho around the throne! Praising Jesus her King n maker. We will see her soon! May the peace of God be your portion!
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Rev 14 verse 13. Rest well grandma one day we shall meet again sweet grandma ❤️
I have fond memories of sitting for hours on end going through pictures that mum kept in an album that had clearly outgrown her collection and could no longer hold all her pictures:)
And so the stories would begin, as Mom narrated the life story of each of her friends and relatives…stories of how they had either grown together as “airitu” (young ladies) or lived in the same village, schools they attended, or even taught together, where each got married, her church friends, her farming, etc. If you have been to her home in Kanyariri during avocado season, you definitely left with an “ikonia” full of “makorobia”.
With every visit back home, Mom would add to the collection and again we would sit on the big brown couch and go through the same album all over again! It was in those moments, going through each picture, that we shared love, friendship and a good laugh! Mom, my friend, has left us, but that hearty laughter is forever etched in my heart. It is well.
By GRACE we believe we shall never miss to meet in the Blessed Hands of Our LOVING FATHER GOD. Well Done my Friend. You lead the way again like in many more times since we met at Njeri and Walter’s Wedding in 1959. From that day, we met again in 2000s. Be sure I love your WHOLE family. All Glory be to Jesus. Mama Mary
Praying for His perfect peace to surround you today and always. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
So sorry for your loss Mama Ciru family, may God comfort you at this time of sorrow.
My life was transformed during a thanksgiving service in nyina wa Ciru’s house after a successful spinal surgery way back in January 1993.
We then became prayer partners for a long time and being immediate neighbors, this was very convenient. She nurtured me in the new life and through her, I desired to join the Mothers Union in our ACK St Joseph’s Kanyariri. She was one of the Mothers Union pioneers.
Nyina wa Ciru koma thayu. Finally niwathii bururi uria uturaga wiririirie.
❤️May Mama Ciru, I called her mama Sugar- (Shega) soul rest in peace.
A very enduring charismatic personality she had. I never got to spend a lot of time with her. But the few times I spent with her, I remember how she narrated her stories. So entertaining, natural, vibrant, full of laughter, and joyful. It was like watching “The Golden Girls” comedy show. She indeed had a memory like an elephant. She would remember me through her journey to visit her aunt in Nyeri. Ciiku-wa-Nyeri-kwa-Gima-Njiru. Yes, a long name, but relational. In short, She had traveled to Nyeri to visit her antie, who asked them to fetch water a few kilometers away so she could cook for them Ngima; on their way back, dawn fell on them. Joining the dots- I am from Nyeri, and the first time she visited Nyeri, they ate Ngima (ugali) in the dark- Njiru meaning dark. 🙂 I will miss her bunches! ??I hope to live to tell my ups and downs as she did with bliss. RIP, maitu, mama Sugar, my Kenya -Betty White, you were iconic to many❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
? I am praying for you, Sugar, Wambui, and your entire family to have peace that surpasses all understanding. Know that as you mourn, I’m mourning with you. That’s what our heavenly father has called us to do.
May peace be with you and her children and the many generations.?
Horerai – may peace be with you all❤️
Thank you, #gilbertmemorialpark, for giving us this space
Our heart felt condolences to all her family. We were blessed to enjoy the precious moments with your beautiful mom. Such a beautiful reflection of the love and heart of Jesus. Her endless, funny stories will always be treasured. Her welcoming smile and wanting to know who everyone was and love on them. And even im her last days, she beemed with joy when she heard us singing Kikuuy worship songs and tried to sing along. Your song will live forever in our hearts. Rest in peace amazing woman of God. Until we meet again?❤️
Rest in peace, Mama Ciru.
2 Corinthians 5:8
We pray for peace and comfort for the entire family, during this difficult time.
Tata.
Your love will continue to live in us and to be shared with our children and friends today and in the years after. You were a blessing to all of us.
Condolences to all the family members
Wanjiku and Kihara
Mum, losing you is a heartbreak that’s beyond repair. I have known you since back in the day, when you would come for ‘visiting days’ at Nyeri Baptist. Wambui had taken me under her wing, and you extended the same kindness to me when she introduced us to each other. From Kenya, through California and Arizona, you have loved and included me in your family without reservation. Mercy, who is your mini-me in everyday from her beauty on the outside, to her beauty within, is a reflection of your love, strength, grace, integrity and so much more. Everyone of your children and grandchildren, that I have met, have reflectrwd your heart in many ways. So Mum, rest knowing that your memories are in my heart, and that your legacy is being carried on and making an impact.
The heavens have gained an amazing storyteller! We love you!