Olaide Olaitan Debola-Gbadebo Tribute

Rest in peace Laide. So much to say, but too few words. I know you are smiling down as I write these few words. We did so much together, 1978/79. I will always remember. YOUR LIFE AND DEATH IS A HUGE WAKE UP CALL FOR ME. Rest in peace my darling sister. God be with the kids, ALWAYS. Dr Abiola Idayat Balogun

Hmmmmmm, my wonderful aunt Laide, everytime i think of u, the first thing i remember is ur lovely smile.... U were just sooooooooooo on point, very, very understanding, nice, caring, and o soooooooooooo pleasant, i don't think i ever saw u angry. i remember the last time i saw u, at Mo's place wen u came visiting in 2006, u made me, Michelle and Wale iyan and efo with egusi, n i remeber michelle could not handle the pepper but myself n Wale loved it. We took pictures, gisted, u advised me, u even triedcalling my mum but u didn't get thru, now i really wished u did. N i remember going home thinking to myself "wow, it was soooo good seein aunt Laide after soooooo many years", who would have thot that that'll be the last... You came in summer of 2007 but unfortunately for me i went home for hols, but i spoke to u wen i called Abi on her bday n u asked to speak to my sisters which u did, awwww aunty why, why why, i soooooooooooo can't believe u are gone....
I was in the middle of a presentation wen i got the news of your demise,n i couldn't control myself cos i couldn't just imagine dat such a lively soul could be gone just like dat, i knw it is the will of GOD hence he needed you more than we all did. At Mo, Abi, Joke and Bobo, may GOD continue to give u guys the strength and perseverance to deal with your loss, and i know it's not been easy but i'm soooooo proud of u guys and i'm very sure your mum is as well because u all have been very brave..
My dearest, sweet aunty Laide, i will never forget you, may your beautiful soul continue to rest in perfect peace, 'E sun re o'...... It is well with our souls, amen...

I was around when she came to visit for morayo's birthday....that was the first time i had seen her since i was knee-high. She was so full of life...fun-loving and endearing. She will always remain in our hearts....we all love and miss you so much....

I never really had a lot of encounters with Aunt ‘Laide, but my relationship with Mo' was as close as it got.
On the couple of occasions we met, it was always exhilarating how much love she had in and around her, and she never failed to shower it on everyone. She was always cuddly, full of energy and life...she rubbed off on me in a lot of ways, but the one thing I hold on to is her expression of love, and that’s something I have tried to emulate…
Aunt ‘Laide, its soothing knowing you are in a better place. I can’t believe how long ago I last saw you…kinda feels like yesterday I was over at the house and you wanted me to stay back, so we could all catch up.
It's sad you are gone…that's the selfish part of me, wishing you were still here. But it's relieving knowing you are in a better place, surrounded with everlasting love and peace...with u, God and the angels sitting down side by side, watching over all of us...and smiling... :)
Miss u Aunt...xxx

My fondest memory of aunt laide was back when we were all so young and folake bisola and I used to come to your house. I remember how she taught us to sing and made all of us sing the song and we were all so happy. She is the best mum you girls could ever have. Very caring warm and lovely in all. We all miss you so much. I know you are smiling down at everyone of us especially your kids. U would always remain in our hearts. We love you so much and would always miss you.

Aunty Laide and I were not blood relatives, our paths crossed at the tutorial school we attended when we were both pursuing our professional Accounting Exams, ACA, some 20years ago. Only to find out in school we live on the same street.
But she became a member of my family, my mum's "aburo" (younger sister) and my siblings' sister too. And she treated me like I was her first child! I remember how she would stroke my cheeks and say, ever so fondly, "pele oko mi" or "pele jumoke".
She gave me the motivation to go on with the course. I thought, this is a married working (and part time trader) mother of three (bimbola was even a baby!); who pursued the course with so much determination to see it through! How can I, a young lady with virtually no worries, not succeed?
She introduced me to trading along side working. She would get goods from her friends on credit for me.
I had challenges but she always encouraged me, even though she had her issues too. She was ever so stoic in the face of the most difficult of times. Like Mo and Abi have said, she was ever smiling and chuckling; the sound of which I still hear in my head and the smile I see when I close my eyes.
Despite the age difference between us, she confided in me.
Everyone in my house would gladly baby sit Mo and Abi, in our house if and when she had no nanny and had things to do. You would always see the glee all over her when she talks about her kids or when she's with them.
Aunty Laide, you were a most wonderful person, and I am grateful to God for having had you in my life.
Uncle Debola, Mayowa, Mo, Abi, Aj and Bobo, I can imagine your pain, because I know how much even I hurt.
May her soul rest in the much deserved eternal peace!!!