Sr. Mary A. Iye, Dmmm

Sunrise October 18^th, 1955

Sunset December 25^th, 2021

Sister Mary Anayochukwu Iye was the second daughter of Mr. Benjamin Onuoha and Ms. Agnes Adamma Onuoha of Okatta in Ihitte Uboma Local Government-Imo State Nigeria.

Her father died incredibly young, and her late mother braved raising her two young boys and two girls alone.

Her mother was the leader of Christian Women Organization (CWO) in her parish for many years.

Sister Mary, as a little girl, had a servant’s heart and great love of the Lord. She was a member of Block Rosary Association and after her primary six examinations, desired to be a nun.  She was introduced to the Daughters of Mary Mothers of Mercy (DMMM) Congregation at a very tender age by late Sister Mary Joseph Therese Iwenofu, the number one Sister of the Congregation.

Sister Mary, as she was popularly called, was sent to (DMMM) Sisters’ Orphanage at Okwelle in 1970, just after the Nigerian Biafran-Civil War, for a one-year trial before she was admitted to Our Lady of Mercy Juniorate-Amapu Ntigha to continue her six-years in training as an aspirant of the DMMM congregation.

In 1975 she passed her West African school certification with excellence, and for the next six months began the first stage to religious state postulancy.  In 1977 she entered her canonical novitiate.

Her first profession on the 6^th of May 1979 and Perpetual profession on the 15^th of August 1987, Sister Mary Anayochukwu Iye celebrated her silver jubilee in May 2004. She was the first Sister of her home parish in Ugonna Parish. Sister was trained as a teacher in Nigeria, before she proceeded to Rome to study at Regina Mundi College from 1992-1996 where she gained a master’s degree in Religious Science.

Sister Mary, played the drums during her graduation ceremony at Regina Mundi College in Rome, presided by Holy Father Saint Pope John Paul II. Following his liturgy of the celebration Mass, the Holy Father, congratulated and blessed her, gifting her a rosary for her beautiful performance. No wonder before she died, she told her Sisters praying at her bedside, that Saint Pope John Paul II was waiting for her to celebrate the Holy Mass. After two hours she passed at 9:15 AM on Christmas Day. This was the time of day she played the drum at our Lady of Good Counsel Church every Sunday for seven years and played for the Christmas day Mass at the Convent with her Sisters and the Most Reverend Bishop Glen John Provost. She was faithfully devoted to the Enfant of Prague; it is no wonder she passed away on Christmas Day.

Apostolate, after her profession was sent on a mission to Aidogodo in Benue State, where  she became the foundress of Mercy Nursery/Primary School in Okpoga, Aidogodo Benue State in Nigeria.

Following her walk as a Novice Mistress, Sister Mary was sent back to Rome where she took care of the elderly Capuchin Franciscan Friars in their Generalate House in Rome. She then was sent to Lake Charles Diocese for a mission to take care of the elderly.  She was an excellent caregiver to Monsignor DeBlanc until he passed away. She was a caregiver to a host of many others.  Including, her special ”Mama”, Camille Scott, a sweet Italian woman whom she took care of, who “adopted” her, loved and adored her.  “Mama” Camille’s” children also “adopted” Sister into their family and was close to her until she passed. “Mama Camille’s” family wrote, “Sister Mary would come by to check on her and they would pray, share a Coca Cola, some chocolate, talk, laugh and sometimes watch singing shows. She also would come by on Sundays to read the Gospel to Mom, pray and give her Holy Communion.  Sister Mary would drop in and share laughter, love and time. She and Mom shared their love for Jesus and Mother Mary of God.  We are so blessed to know Sister Mary.  She had a huge heart, full of joy and contagious laughter! She was a fresh breath of air to our Momma and brought her laughter and joy when she was alone and isolated.  She shared happiness everywhere she went. Mom was always so appreciative for Sister Mary. We all loved her very much.”

She was not only a compassionate caregiver, but she also a was a Eucharistic minister who took communion to her clients and was active in her caregiving until her passing. Sister often said, “no more time is left, it is time to go home.” “Oge adirozi”, she said in her Igbo dilate.

Sister Mary volunteered in teaching Catechism to the 4^th grade at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School and McNeese State University students of Our Good Counsel Catholic Church.

She was a deep lover and a practical Christian in all respects. She detested injustice and often spoke out against it. She was vocal and of strong belief of many topics and was not afraid to speak her mind. She was not one to play with spiritual exercises. Sister Mary had a genuinely kind heart with a great love for the orphans and great desire to remember them with gifts from time to time, and always on Christmas and Easter. Sister often brightened the day to the community, making people smile with her most jovial spirit, jokes and drumming.

Left to mourn her are the entire members of the congregation, Daughters of Mary Mother Mercy Sisters (DMMM); her two brothers and sister, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and her Sisters in religion, especially the (DMMM) Sisters in Lake Charles.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the orphanage taken care of by the (DMMM) Sisters in Nigeria. Please send in C/O Sister Josephine Okafor, P. O. Box 5633 Lake Charles, LA 70606.

The (DMMM) Sisters and family are most thankful to Sister Mary’s God and our Lord Jesus Christ who happily took her spirit home. They extend heartfelt appreciation to the Bishop Reverend Glen John Provost and the Priest of the Lake Charles Dioceses, The Reverend Monsignor Daniel A. Torres, V.G., doctors, especially Dr. Mary Sherk, Lacey Vasilakis-Stickell, FNP-C and the nurses and staff of Harbor Hospice for their prayer, excellence in care and kindness for their beloved Sister. Also, the Gulf Coast Agency where she was staying for getting her to the hospital for care, the Nigerian Priest who went to give her Holy anointing and last sacraments and Johnson Funeral Home for helping to see Sister Mary safely home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM, Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.  The Very Reverend Monsignor Daniel Torres, V.G. will be the celebrant.  Gatherings of her Sisters, family and friends will be from 11:00 AM until the time of Mass in the church.  Sister Mary will return home to Nigeria for Funeral Mass and Interment services at Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Cemetery in Ahieke Ndume- Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

The life story of Sister Mary Anayochukwu Iye was written by Sister Mary Josephine Okafor, her Community Sister, on behalf of her Sisters of the Lake Charles Diocese.