The memorial service of Marie Achieng, daughter of actress Gloria Nyaboke Moraa, was held on Wednesday, August 7, at the CITAM Church in Embakasi, with friends and family remembering the late 19-year-old for her vibrant spirit and the joy she brought into their lives.
Among those present was her stepmother, Jocelyn Black Aende, one of the last people to see Marie alive.
She took the podium to eulogize her stepdaughter, recounting the final moments before her passing. She detailed the events leading up to her demise and expressed profound sorrow for not being able to save her.
“The horrific experience of her last heartbeat is something I don’t have the courage or strength to take you through. I watched Marie take her last breath after 30 minutes of trying instructional first aid from my sister-in-law Diana on the phone while waiting for an ambulance, which took over an hour to arrive,” she stated amid tears.
Jocelyn is married to Marie’s father Blak Aende , and she helped in raising her as a bonus parent right from childhood, stating that they had developed a special bond over the years.
“It is not easy for me to eulogise our girl because no amount of words can explain our bond, attachment, history and the shared vision we had. So I will give my short highlight and relive our last moments together,” she told mourners.
One of her favorite memories is the day Marie finished her KCSE exams. Jocelyn and her husband picked her up from high school and celebrated by taking her to a fast-food restaurant, where they offered her an open cheque to mark the occasion.
“I remember picking Marie up from Buruburu Girls on her final day upon completion of her KCSE. I was with her dad, who was overexcited about his major milestone. Our prayers were answered. She started and finished school without any hitch. As our family tradition since Marie joined form one, we went to our usual Pizza Inn in Buruburu and gave her an open cheque to eat whatever she wanted. That specific day, she ate and carried lots of takeaway food for her siblings,” she narrated.
She expressed how their bond strengthened over time. Jocelyn recalled her first meeting with the deceased, noting that Marie taught her how to be a mother.
“…From then on, our relationship grew stronger each and every day as our conversation and vibe became more mature. Marie wasn’t just a stepdaughter. From the tender age of seven, when I came into her life, we immediately clicked, and she became my good friend. Through her, I learnt so much about motherhood. Marie and all her siblings were inseparable.”
Jocelyn expressed her heartfelt gratitude to those who assisted her family during their time of need, saying: “To everyone who came to our rescue, from the estate security officers to our neighbors who helped us rush Marie to the hospital, I don’t know how to thank you, but God will in a special way.”
Marie is set to be laid to rest on Saturday, August 10 at the family’s home in Kadongo, Kisumu County.
