Tochukwu Angela Okongwu nee Ofoma, popularly called Tochi, was born February 16th 1984 at the Notre Dame Hospital Edo State, in Nigeria. She was the fifth child of Sir (Engr.) Francis Afaka Ofoma and Lady Mary Nneka Ofoma. At the time of her birth, our father worked as a civil engineer at the relatively newly commissioned Ajaokuta Steel Project in Kogi State, Nigeria, while our mother worked as an educationist. She was joyfully welcomed into a family with 4 older siblings on board – big brothers Chinedu and Uchenna, and big sisters Nonye and Chinenye. She, of course, enjoyed that special position of “last born”, which our late father had no reservations about buttressing. Our father was an avid lover of classical music and the sounds of George Frederick Handel, Mozart, and other classical musicians would often be heard playing gently in the background of our home. However, he also seemed to have developed a special liking for Diana Ross and her soulful renderings. He fondly and playfully referred to Tochi as his Diana Ross Special. He also called her “Nwunye Daddy” (Daddy’s Wife). Tochi knew how special and loved she was. She absolutely knew.
Tochi enjoyed this enviable position for 11 years until our “new last born” – Chioma – came along. Tochi did not sulk at being relieved of her coveted last-born position (okay, maybe just a little bit), but she quickly bonded with her one and only younger sibling, showing her the ropes of childhood life, survival mechanisms from repercussions of mischief, and later in life, the realities of adult life.
Tochi had all her elementary and secondary education at Ajaokuta Steel Company Township Staff School, Comprehensive Secondary School, Ajaokuta, and Federal Government Girls College Benin, respectively, finishing as a stellar student and bagging a number of awards. She proceeded to study Electrical Engineering at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria where she graduated with first-class honours. She also holds a Master of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering and Project Development from the Institute Of Petroleum Studies (IFP), France winning multiple awards in her class. Subsequently, she joined Tecon Oil Services, Port-Harcourt in 2008 as an Engineer.
In 2010, she met the love of her life Tochukwu Cyril Okongwu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Tochukwu Cyril Okongwu was born to Late Chief Barnabas Nwoye Chukwudi Okongwu & Mrs Monica Uchechukwu Okongwu of Uke, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. They were so smitten with each other, got engaged in 2012 and celebrated their traditional marriage ceremony on December 28, 2012, at her country home – Ukpor, Nnewi South LGA. On April 6, 2013, she walked down the aisle with the love of her life at Mater Misericordiae Catholic Church, Port-Harcourt. It was one of the happiest moments of her life! The new couple quickly settled into a new life as man and wife with great family plans for the future.
Months later, on the 21st day of November 2013, they welcomed their wonderful son; Tochukwu Justin Okongwu; but I bet you know him as just TJ. TJ was such a bundle of joy to behold. Three years later, she welcomed her second child and dearly beloved daughter; Ifechimamanda Janelle Okongwu, who she fondly called Mama. Ifechi’s arrival marked the beginning of Tochi experimenting with her hair styling skills and facial make-up sessions with Ifechi’s face and hair. Ifechi has since followed in a similar fashion and is sometimes seen playing with makeup while dressing up for school. The joy of motherhood was awesome and created excitement and bonding for the young family. Motivated by motherhood and her love for numbers, she began to mentor young kids in service to God and humanity, teaching them math and morals. She also served as a volunteer to support the reintegration of prisoners from correctional facilities in the Southern region of Nigeria.
Over the years, her love for impacting young generations gained recognition and she was invited to speak at different workshops and seminars. In 2018, due to her passion for, and devotion to teaching math to young children, she was nominated to attend an all-expense paid trip to CEMATHS International Mathematics Conference & Workshop hosted by the Institute Of Statistical and Socio-Economic Research (ISSER), University Of Ghana, West Africa.
In spite of what most people might deem a life already on purpose, Tochi often wondered what her life’s deep purpose was. She sought an uncommon connection with her inner self and wanted to find “that thing” she was uniquely created for, and passionate about. Never being the type to sit idle and wait for the answers to come to her, she activated her deep love for craft and began to create beautiful customized origami for celebratory occasions, and was excited to get very encouraging feedback on them. She also tried to find other creative hobbies, connecting with people and entrepreneurs who would later become good friends.
Tochi, celebrated life every day. She loved God with all of her heart and was known as a woman of faith. Tochi was given to a life of praise, living out the true meaning of her name (Too chukwu means “Praise God” in her native Ibo language). Thus, it was not a coincidence that her husband and son shared the same name. Theirs was a tight-knit family with strong values. She loved her husband and family. She was a very caring sister who always offered a listening ear to anyone who needed it, a most amazing and supportive wife to her husband, Tochukwu, and a doting mother to both of her kids. Together, in the summer of 2019, Tochi and her family gained their Canadian permanent residence and relocated to Windsor, Ontario Canada. Life in a new country came with so much excitement and its own peculiar challenges. However, Tochi was tenacious about her goals and integrated seamlessly. In May 2021, she obtained a post-graduate diploma with distinction in Business Intelligence System Infrastructure from the prestigious Algonquin College Of Applied Arts and Technology, Ottawa, Ontario and made the Dean’s Honors list for outstanding academic achievement. Post-graduation, Tochi joined the City Of Ottawa Council as a Data Engineer. In January 2022, she was promoted and assigned a new role as an Intermediate System Analyst, joining the project team working towards reforms and key initiatives within the Canadian Electoral body. She continued in this role amidst her dire health challenges until August 2022 when she decided to take a short break to focus on a spiritual inquest.
Tochi was called to eternal glory at 9:26 pm, Sunday, October 2nd, 2022. She is survived by her husband – Tochukwu Cyril Okongwu, her son – Tochukwu Justin, her daughter – Ifechimamanda Janelle, her brothers – Chinedu and Uchenna Ofoma, her sisters – Nonye Vivian Molokwu, Chinenye Ugoji and Chioma Ofoma, her mum – Mary Nneka Ofoma, numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws, and dear friends.
Visitation Friday October 21, 2022 from 7 – 9 pm at Families First 3260 Dougall Ave. South Windsor, 519-969-5841. On Saturday October 22, 2022, friends and family are invited to resume visitation at Our Lady of Preputial Help Church (804 Grand Marais Rd E.) from 10 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Tochukwu Tochi Angela Okongwu Ofoma 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Windsor, Province: Ontario