Friday, 26th April 2024 | .
.EULOGY OF THE LATE JOY WANGUI GATENDE (Draft 1) 8th October 1943 – 21st April 2024 BIRTH The late Joy Wangui Gatende was born on the 8th of October 1943 at the PCEA Chogoria Hospital. She was the fifth of seven children born to the late Dedan Kariuki Wangai and the late Rachael Gacoki Kariuki. She was the sister of Charity Kagure, the late Faith Muthoni, the late Cephas Wangai, Mercy Kagendo Nguru, the late Solomon Ndambi and Grace Wambui. She was the sister-in-law to Wanja Wangai and Jane Gatumbi. EARLY CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION In 1950, Wangui went to School at Kibuchia Primary School which was within walking distance from home. Indeed, all of her 7 siblings went to the same School. During the emergency of 1953/1954, the whole family relocated to Nyeri, and lived at their Manjengo residential home before her dad got a job at the famous King'ong'o Maximum Prison, Nyeri. She was admitted at Tumutumu PCEA Mission School where she passed her Kenya African preliminary examination (KAPE) exanimation in 1961. FAMILY Joyce, as her loving husband affectionately called her, met the love of her life Geoffrey Kimotho Gatende who was then working as a roads engineer with the government in 1963. Her young suitor jokingly claimed that he put his sights on her through his theodolite as he was constructing the Marua – Kiganjo road not far from her family home in Ngaini. She was 20 years old when the couple wedded on 31st August in the same year. God blessed them with five children Stephen Symon, Winifred Kamwende, John Kariuki, Elizabeth Gachoki (Betsy), and Eli Kenyatta Muchiri. In the family, Joy will be remembered and missed for her many wonderful traits such as a very strong and courageous wife who fought to protect and keep her family, an amazing dear and caring mother, a generous and selfless person, a mate to a rally driver (and one in her own right), a squash player, wonderful cook, gifted singer, a friend and loving person to know. WORK LIFE Joy went to be trained as a teacher at Tumutumu Teachers Training College. Her first posting was at Kerichu Primary School Nyeri, where she met the lover of her heart. When her husband Kim transferred to Nyeri, she got a job at the CID offices as a secretary for a short stint. While working there, she enrolled for secretarial training at the Cathedral Secretarial College in Nyeri. She then moved to the Provincial Commissioners office as a secretary and that was her last job. Joy was also a savvy farmer growing coffee, tea, rearing cows, pigs and chickens which she thoroughly enjoyed. She started to involve her children in her farming endeavors pushing more responsibilities on to them as she cared for her ailing mother-in-law until she passed away. CHURCH Joy along with her siblings were raised in Christian home by her parents who significantly involved in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) both in Meru and Ngaini. She joined ACK St. Peter's church in the seventies and received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1985. Joy was an active member of ACK St Peter's church Nyeri and was a mentor to many. She served as a People’s Warden and was also a key player in the church's transition to a cathedral during her tenure as Chairlady of the Mothers Union. She also played an active role in the construction of the church hall. HOME GOING After the passing on of her husband in 2006, Joy began to suffer a debilitating condition of depression manifesting itself as dementia and with it, the deteriorating ability for sustained social communication and interaction. She otherwise has enjoyed good physical health. On Sunday the 21st of April 2024, after her usual breakfast meal, the family noticed an inconsistent and strained breathing, necessitating her to be taken to hospital where she passed on peacefully on arrival. Her family and friends celebrate a life well lived for the glory of God. 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.