Ezinne Theresa Chigbogwu Afubera Ndeanaefo, formerly of Nigeria, has entered her eternal life with our Lord at 4:41 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025 at Carle Hospital in Urbana, Illinois, with her son by her side. Visitation for Theresa will be held Thursday, March 20, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Paris, Illinois with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home in Paris, Illinois is assisting the family with arrangements.

Theresa was born February 29, 1944 in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria in West Africa. Being such a witty lady, she claimed that as a Leap Year baby, she only observed her birthday every four years, making her 20 years young upon her passing. At 81, her heart, soul, mind and spirit never aged beyond those years.

Theresa loved to sing a variety of songs, with her favorite being the Latin and Traditional hymns of the Catholic Church. She was a member of Saint Cecilia Choir and a pioneer member of Morning Star Choir at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria. Theresa grew up in a strong Catholic family. Her father was an organist and foundation member of the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in the Archdiocese of Onitsha.

She studied Midwifery at Holy Rosary Maternity Hospital Water Side, Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria where she obtained her Midwifery Diploma whereupon she began her nursing and midwifery career at Holy Rosary Hospital in 1965. Shortly before the Nigerian Civil War, she was sent to St. Charles Borromeo Hospital in the Archdiocese of Onitsha as one of the pioneer nurses of the hospital. During the Nigerian Biafran War, she was sent to Nkwere Orlu at St. Augustine School to nursethe Biafran soldiers. It was at Nkwere Orlu during the civil war that she met and married her late husband Mr. Michael Ndeanaefo in 1968.

After the Civil War, she returned to St. Charles Borromeo hospital ending her tour in 1982, to begin her own private practice. Theresa built and operated St. Theresa' Maternity Hospital in Asaba Delta State, Nigeria from 1982 to 2018. Throughout her nursing career as a Midwife, she felt very blessed to deliver thousands of babies. One of her highlights in her career was when she delivered triplets in her Maternity Ward. She retired in 2018 prior to coming to the United States, to reside with her son, Rev. Dr. Aloysius Ndeanaefo.

Theresa married the late Michael Ndebueze Ndeanaefo in 1968. Together they had five children:  Mr. Michael IkechukwuNdeanaefo of Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Aloysius Okey Ndeanaefo of Paris, Illinois, Engr. Kenneth Chukwudi Ndeanaefo of Orlando, Florida, Mrs. Clementina Chika Ndeanaefo Nwanko of Nigeria and Mr. Charles Ugochukwu Ndeanaefo of Nigeria. Theresa and Michael were blessed with eleven grandchildren.

Her parents and siblings of Nigeria and her husband Michael all preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons, daughter, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Theresa was a woman of strong faith and character. She had a passion for life and for her family. She was very devout in her prayer life spending long hours into the early morning reading her Bible and praying for her family and friends. She always wore a beautiful smile and had an infectious laugh and a way of helping people forget their worries. She leaves a legacy of profound Catholic faith, and true discipleship. Anyone who has known Theresa has been blessed and graced by her life's imprint. She will truly be missed by all her family and friends and will be eternally remembered.

May her gentle soul rest in peace and her memory be an eternal blessing, Amen.

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