Celebrating Mum - Esther Ngendo Mungai

Eulogy of the late
ESTHER NG’ENDO MUNGAI (WA GICHINI)
BIRTH
The late Esther Cecilia Ng’endo Mungai was born in 1943 in Mitero Village, Mang’u, Gatundu to The late John Muhia Njau and the Late Elizabeth Wairimu Muhia. She was the only sister to the Late Michael Ng’ang’a Muhia and Anthony Kimani Muhia.
EDUCATION
Esther began her education at Our Lady of Mercy in Bahati, Nairobi, where she successfully completed her primary schooling. She then went on to attend Loreto Girls' School in Limuru for her secondary education. Known for her academic excellence, Esther stood out particularly for her remarkable command of the English language, earning admiration for her linguistic prowess and intellectual curiosity.
BAPTISM
Esther was baptized in the Catholic church in 1956 at Our Lady of Visitation in Makadara. She was inspired to join the Catholic faith by her late brother Michael Ng’ang’a and Catechism by Anne Gachoka who remained a close friend of hers until the very end.
MARRIAGE
In 1968, Esther married the love of her life, the late Edmund Mungai Gichini, at St. Francis Xavier's Catholic Church in Parklands, Nairobi. She often recounted with great fondness how she unexpectedly met a strikingly handsome young man and instantly fell head over heels for him. Shortly after the marriage, they relocated briefly to Uganda near Makerere University while her husband was studying. Before her husband's passing in 2008, they shared 40 years of a blissful marriage, blessed with 10 wonderful children.
SERVICE TO THE CHURCH
Her long-standing service to the Catholic Church began in the early 1970s, when she took on various roles at St. Joseph Muguga Church. She served as Chair Lady of the Catholic Women Association, planted and supplied fresh flowers for the Holy Mass on Sundays for many years. In 2006, she joined Holy Cross Church in Lavington, where she continued to serve with unwavering dedication and passion until her passing. Her commitment to charity work was evident in her generous act of housing young girls who attended Holy Cross Academy, ensuring they had a safe place to stay while pursuing their education. She had a deep passion for the traditional Latin Mass and consistently encouraged her children and those around her to part

CHILDREN
Esther was blessed with 10 children. 4 sons and 6 daughters namely : Ernest and Joy Gichini, Phyllis and Mike Macharia, Sarah and Robert Gachoroba, Anne and Gitau Githinji, Dorothy Wambui, John and Florence Muhia, Cyrus and Naomi Kang’ethe, Michael and Jane Ng’ang’a, Salome and David Muruthi and Stella Mukuhi.
She was a doting grandmother to Michelle, Muthondu, Nyawira and Mungai Macharia, Veronica, Esther and Bridgette Gachoroba, Arabella and Portia Gitau, Florence Katheke, Mark, Amani and Edmund Muhia, Estelle and Edmund Kang’ethe,Precious and Edmund Ng’ang’a, Mutonyi Muruthi. She was a great grandmother to Troy Momanyi.
ILLNESS AND DEMISE
Esther had enjoyed a lifetime of good health until July 2022, when she fell ill but was treated and subsequently discharged. Sadly, on October 5th 2024, at approximately 3:00 PM, she suddenly became unwell and was rushed to PCEA Kikuyu Hospital, where she passed away peacefully in the presence of close family members and friends.
It’s hard to put into words the depth of the pain we feel knowing mom is no longer with us. Yet, in the midst of this heartache, we are also filled with immense gratitude for the life she lived and the love she gave so selflessly.

[dwamburu]

Fare thee well gracious woman of faith. We will miss you dearly. Watching from London, UK.

[puritykajuju]

A humble and inspirational lady. May her soul rest in peace. Peace and comfort to the family.

[cathydan]

Nyina wa Gichini (Mami) until we meet again go well. I will miss you, your steadfast faith in God, your courage and wisdom. Rest in Peace: Mnesy (Njaary) in Kinshasa

[blessedbea]

It's well with the family, rest well maitu