Funeral of The Late Mary Wanjiru Wanjau
The moderator of 24th General Assembly Rt. Rev. Thegu Mutahi on 3rd June 2024 presided over the funeral service of late Mrs Mary Wanjau – wife of the former Moderator of PCEA late Rev. Dr. George Wanjau. The service took place at PCEA St. Andrews Church, Nairobi. The Moderator was accompanied by Past Moderators Very Rev. Julius Mwamba and Very Rev. Jesse Kamau, as well as the Deputy Secretary General Rev. John Mbae who led the service, and the Honorary Treasurer Eld. David Ndumo. The Secretary General who is on leave and out of the country sent his condolences through the Deputy Secretary General. The funeral service was attended by tens of Ministers, dozens of Ministers’ Spouses, church Elders, members, friends and many family members.
As a teacher, Ministers spouse, a mentor and a church leader, late Mrs Wanjau was eulogized as a woman whose entire life was characterized by her love for Jesus and her genuine commitment to follow him. She was always quiet and hospitable. Because of her love for family and God, Mrs. Wanjau retired at the early age 52 years to support her husband as he took on senior ministry roles. The mourners observed that the late Mary’s true life will be measured “by the many lives she built and transformed, the practical of her commitment to Christ, and the lifelong friendships she made.”
The Woman’s Guild Ministry led by the Director Rev. Elizabeth Kimani described late Mary Wanjau an exemplification of the Noble woman of Proverbs 31. Mary was a long time ‘President’ and later chairperson of PCEA St. Andrew’s Woman’s Guild. She was also instrumental in the development of Woman’s Guild Constitution as well as development of Woman’s Guild Guidebook in English and Kikuyu.
The GA Moderator observed that Mary Wanjau’s life is worth celebrating. She assured the family of prayers by the church being only two months after the death of Rev. Wanjau. Moderator observed that the late Mary was a daughter of Rev. Kahuho Gachomba, one of the eight men who were first African Ministers to be ordained in 1926.
The Moderator titled his message, “opportunities must be well utilized” based on Numbers 14:26-38 and Matthew 17:1-9. Moderator encouraged the mourners to maximize the use of opportunities that God grants. The greatest opportunity is our own very lives. As a people of God, we have come too far to go back to retrogressive way of living. Israelites and Peter almost aborted the journey halfway. We must persevere and remain faithful to the end of our journeys just as Mary did. This is what Jesus did and encourages us to do.
Mrs. Wanjau was laid to rest next to her husband’s grave at their home in Karen.