The death is announced (and noted on page 78 of today's Guardian, Lagos) of Lynn Chukura - the end coming at it did in the sea in Ghana on November 21st. Chukura taught Literature at the University of Lagos for about 24 years before she moved to Ghana. A contributor to the 2005 anthology, Short Stories by 16 Nigerian women (with her story, Birds of Darkness), Ms Chukura was on the staff at the University of Ghana at the time of her passing.
From Nigeria to Ghana, the literary community mourns.
The Obituary notice from the University of Ghana, below....
Obituary Notice:
Ms. Mary Lynn Olisa Chukura
It is with deep regret that I write to announce the death of our colleague Ms. Mary Lynn Olisa Chukura, Senior Lecturer in the Department of English. Ms. Chukura drowned in the ocean at Labadi on Tuesday 21st November 2006.
Ms. Chukura joined the English Department of University of Ghana as a Senior Lecturer on 17th February, 2003, from Nigeria, where she had had a long and active career at the University of Lagos. She has been a very dedicated and effective member of the faculty, with responsibility for a number of our core courses. Her death comes as a great loss to the department and the university.
An American citizen from Lancaster in Pennsylvania, Ms. Chukura was born on 14th June, 1950, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with Kilheffer as her family name. She is survived by Mr. Udemezuo Onuora Nwuneli of Lagos, aged 32, and his two sisters Nkem and Nancy Nwuneli, currently living in the USA.
Arrangements for the funeral are as follows:
- Laying in State: Saturday, 9th December 2006, 7:00 – 9:45 am, at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, University of Ghana, Legon.
- Burial Mass: Saturday, 9th December 2006, 9:00 am, at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, University of Ghana, Legon.
- Final Funeral Rites: Saturday, 9th December 2006: The University Guest Centre, Legon.
- Thanksgiving Mass: Sunday, 10th December 2006 at 9:00 am. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, University of Ghana, Legon.
Kofi Anyidoho
Professor & Head of Department
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7 comments:
FROM A STATEMENT RELEASED BY 'THE LYNN CHUKURA COMMITTEE'.
This is to announce the passing away of Ms.Lynn Chukwura (Nee Kilheffer) writer, literary critic and university teacher, mother, grandmother, sister and aunty, who passed away on Tuesday 21st November 2006 in Legon Ghana.
Her Burial Mass holds on Saturday 9th December 2006 at the St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, University Ghana, Legon followed by Interment at the Osu Cemetary, Legon, Ghana.
Lynn served for several years on the selection panel for Association of Nigerian Authors Literature Prizes where she contributed in no small measure in advancing the cause and course of Modern Nigerian writing.
A Thanksgiving Mass will hold in her honour in Lagos Nigeria, on TUESDAY 12th December at St Domonics Catholic Church, Yaba Lagos.
All friends,well wishers, former students,colleagues, most especially the Lagos/Ibadan literary community are enjoined to attend and pay their final respect to this great woman who gave so much of herself and her endowments towards the development of literature in Nigeria.
I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but "every man's death diminishes me..."
May she find rest.
RIP Lynn Chukura
RIP Lynn
She kindly supported our group of students to "survive" Lagos in 1988.
I will never forget her ....
Axel, from Budapest, Hungary
I was an English undergraduate at the University of Lagos in the 80s and have very fond memories of Lynn Nwuneli (as she was known then). Her passing is a rude shock and she will be missed for years to come. May she rest in peace.
Adewale Adebanjo
Lynn was a miracle sent to seal my "tongue". She will always be alive in my stories. I only pray that she finds absolute rest with Jesus.
Lynn was a fantastic teacher. She taught me for a year and was carried away.I'll be a "living record of her memory".I am proud to have been touched by the miracle of her life. May God grant her absolute rest.
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