A former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly who represented Enugu East Rural Constituency, Hon. Joseph Agbo Ugwumba, is grieving the loss of his wife, Lillian Roberts-Agbo. Lillian passed away on July 12, 2024, in the United States, following a prolonged period of medical treatment.
The Agbo Ugwumba family, in a statement, announced that Lillian's funeral will commence on August 3, 2024, at Unity Funeral Parlors Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, USA. A date for her interment in Ugwogo-Nike, Enugu State, will be announced subsequently. Lillian is survived by her husband, Hon. Ugwumba, their two children, Obieze and Akuabata Agbo, and other family members.
The family has extended an invitation to friends and well-wishers to join them in mourning and celebrating the vibrant life of their beloved wife and mother. They described Lillian as a woman whose spirit touched everyone who knew her, blessing them with her presence. "Her stunning fashion designs, graphic arts, and paintings were just a glimpse of her incredible talent and creativity," the family noted. "But her greatest gift to us was teaching us to approach life with positivity, boundless imagination, and courage in the face of challenges."
Lillian's children, in their statement, announced a dress code of white with a touch of color for the wake at 10 a.m. and the funeral service at 11 a.m. A repast at the City Church Chicago is scheduled for 5 p.m. The funeral service will also be live-streamed, with a link to be shared closer to the date.
Hon. Ugwumba, in his tribute to his late wife, described Lillian as a virtuous woman and an exceptional entrepreneur. He recounted their meeting over 35 years ago during his student days in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Born to Catherine Dorothy and Engr. Dr. Erskien Goody Roberts, a renowned architect at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Lillian left the American dream to join Hon. Ugwumba in Ugwogo-Nike in the early 90s.
Eleanor Rodriguez Reports, the Chicago community mourns the loss of Lillian Roberts Agbo, who passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Lillian faced numerous challenges throughout her life with unwavering strength and creativity. Her children, Obieze and Akuabata Agbo, are deeply affected by her sudden passing.
Lillian’s life was marked by significant events, including being born prematurely as the only surviving twin, single motherhood, a coma in 2006, a near-fatal car accident in 2011, a failed kidney transplant in 2016, and an irregular heartbeat diagnosis in 2023. Despite these challenges, Lillian remained a whirlwind of creativity and intelligence. She was a talented artist with a flair for fashion design, graphic arts, and painting. Her greatest legacy, however, was the inspiration she imparted to her children to maintain a positive outlook and face adversity fearlessly.
Due to her health struggles, Lillian was unable to work consistently, leaving her family unprepared for funeral and medical expenses. In response, Obieze and Akuabata Agbo have organized a fundraiser with a goal of $20,000 to cover these costs and honor their mother’s life with a fitting tribute. Contributions will help cover funeral expenses, outstanding bills, and provide support for the family during this difficult time.
Lillian’s memory will live on through the love and inspiration she imparted to her family and all who knew her. The community mourns the loss of a remarkable woman and celebrates the lasting impact she made on their lives.
