This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
– Joshua 1:9 NLT

Introduction

Today we gather with heavy hearts to honor and remember the life of Ziporah Ruguru a Mother, a Grandmother and a cherished soul who touched the lives of those around her in ways words can scarcely capture.

Early Life

Zipporah Ruguru Gitonga was born in 1946 in Mugumango Location, Kiamaogo Village.

She was the beloved fifth-born daughter of the late Beat Murianki and the late Jescah Nguru.

She was a cherished sister to Margaret Kariancugu, Remijiah Mugai, Trizer Gatune, the late Rebecca Mukwanjagi, Edith Mukwaiti, and Jackson Murungi.

Education Life

Zipporah began her educational journey in 1953 at Kiamaogo Primary School.

In 1956, she proceeded to Ngeru Intermediate School, where she sat for her examinations and passed with flying colors.

Her excellent performance earned her admission to Kaaga College (now Meru Teachers College) in 1957, where she trained diligently and attained her P1 Certificate in Teaching.

Marriage

In 1972, Zipporah was united in holy matrimony with the love of her life, Mr. Julius Gitonga.

Together, they were blessed with a beautiful family of five children: Jediel Kiambi, Gertrude Nkatha, Dickson Mugambi, Cynthia Kawira, and Peter Gipson Mutwiri.

She was a loving mother-in-law to Getrude Makena, Caroline Nkirote, and Raisa Leshore.

She was also the dotting and proud grandmother of Evans Munene, Michelle Kendi, Farida Kendi, Nessy Karimi, Ayana Ntayan, and Liran Gitonga.

She was blessed with so many other loving cousins, nephews and nieces.she was sister to the late Gatune, late Sarah,late Joyce, Jane, Wanja, Kaimuri, Late Ezra, Njagi, Late mbae, Late Kabii and Marangu

Church Life

The late Zipporah was baptized in her early childhood in PCEA church.

She grew to be a staunch Christian who served in Old Mwimbi Parish and a full member of PCEA St John Kimuchia Parish where she served in various capacities:

National woman's guild committee member
Founder of Woman's Guild Woget House Mombasa
Regional Woman's Guild Committee Member and Founder of Regional Woget in Meru
Chairlady Old Chogoria Presbyterial Woman's Guild
Chairlady Old Mwimbi parish woman's guild
Founder of Kiwek and Cokithia (Chogoria, Kimuchia, Thigaa) rental houses.
Pioneer member of Kimuchia church in 1984, Woman's Guild chairlady and choir mistress. During her tenure she initiated construction of woman's guild rental houses and kitchen.
Pioneer youth fellowship founder and treasurer where she remained an active youth supporter and mentor until her demise.
Church Deacon in Upper Kimuchia District until her demise

In 2004 when PCEA St John Parish was formed, she became the first woman's guild chairlady and participated in parish growth especially facilitating the provision of church alter linen and ensuring maintenance.

She was a pillar and a member of Justice Peace Reconciliation and Creation (JPRC), and she was dedicated in mentorship of Woman's Guild, Youth and all church members.

She represented the church in National Council Churches of Kenya (NCCK) unti her demise, she was a dedicated member of PCEA St John Kimuchia parish.

Work and Social Life

As a dedicated educator, Zipporah shaped the minds of generations. She poured her heart into her profession, teaching at various primary schools, including Kairuni, Kimuchia and Thigaa until retirement in 2005. In the schools she taught, she was a trainer in Music and Sports up to National level.

Beyond the classroom, Zipporah lived a life worth emulating. She got engaged in business and small-scale farming. She was a leader in various community groups such as Muungano welfare group, community intercessors group and others.

She was a true social bird; there was not a single soul she met whom she did not impact. Her generosity and kindness knew no bounds, and she was always ready to build friendships regardless of age. To her lifelong friends, she was a dependable anchor, always present in times of need. To strangers, she was a warm and welcoming spirit who was quick to turn a brief encounter into a lasting friendship.

Demise

You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, You have kept the faith.
– 2 Timothy 4:7

Zipporah enjoyed good health for most of her life. In March 2024, she fell ill and was treated at Guru Nanak Hospital,(Nairobi)MPSha ,and Nairobi hospital. In August of the same year, she was admitted to Meru Doctors Plaza where she underwent surgery. She continued with her treatment and was recovering well.

Sadly, on the morning of Wednesday, April 29th, she lost consciousness and was rushed to Chogoria Hospital. Despite the dedicated efforts of the medical team to resuscitate her, she went to be with the Lord.

Her love for Christ was evident to all. Her life was anchored on the Word of God, and her favorite scripture was:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
– Joshua 1:9:

May her soul rest in eternal peace.

A Tribute to My Loving Wife

Today, I speak with a heavy heart as I remember my loving wife. Losing you has left a space in my life that can never be filled. You were not just my wife, you were my best friend, my partner, and my greatest support.

You stood by me in good times and in hard times. You always knew how to make me smile, even on difficult days. Your kindness, your patience, and your love meant everything to me. Life felt easier and brighter because you were in it.

We shared so many memories together, moments of laughter, quiet talks, and dreams for the future. I will hold on to those memories forever. They remind me of how deeply we loved each other.

Though you are no longer here with me, I feel your love around me every day. It gives me strength to keep going.

I will carry you in my heart always, in everything I do and everywhere I go.

Thank you for loving me the way you did. Thank you for being my wife.

You will always be missed, and you will always be loved.

Rest peacefully, my love.

A Tribute to Our Beloved Mum

Our mum was a loud kind of magic.

She was the early mornings and the late nights, the steady hands and the soft place to land. She carried more than anyone saw; worries she never spoke aloud, sacrifices she made look effortless, love that never asked for anything in return.

Our mum taught without announcing the lesson. In the way she listened, in the way she gave, in the way she kept going even when she was tired. She showed what strength really looked like. Not loud, not boastful, but constant.

She remembered the little things: our favorite meals, our fears, our dreams. She celebrated our victories like they were her own and stood beside us when life felt heavy. Even when we stumbled, her belief in us never wavered.

Our mum’s love never faded with time or distance. It stretched, adapted, and held on.

It was in every encouraging word, every silent prayer, every moment she chose us; again and again.

To mum: thank you for being the heart of everything. For the love that shaped us, the patience that guided us, and the strength that carried us.

You were seen. You were appreciated. You were loved, more than words can ever fully say. Rest in peace mum.

A Tribute to Our Loving Grandma

Life can’t be summed up in a few paragraphs; this is just a trailer of a life beautifully lived.

Usually, my favorite part of a funeral is listening to the tributes; hearing how a person can become so "known" to us through stories, even if we never met them. It’s ironic that today, I’m the one standing here to tell you about our Grandma. My hope is that by the time I’m done, you’ll have fallen in love with her life, and perhaps find a few pieces of it to carry home in your own.

The Woman of God Grandma was a woman of God who lived her favorite verse, Joshua 1:9, every single day. She didn't just read her Bible; she preached her own sermons to us, and we would actually exchange notes.

She was a warrior of prayer with a strict schedule: 3:00 AM and 3:00 PM. I remember times I’d call her and she wouldn’t say a word, she wouldn’t budge.

If it was prayer time, the rest of the world had to wait.

When I was very sick, her love went into overdrive. I started getting calls from her prayer partners all over; she had given my number to everyone she knew, mobilizing a literal army of heaven for me.

Her Style and Spirit Grandma was a "great" driver, not necessarily because she followed every traffic rule, but because she wouldn’t move an inch out of the compound without holding the steering wheel and praying first.

She was also our fashion icon. If you see us today wearing these scarves, know that we are paying tribute to her legendary style. She carried herself with a grace that we all hope to emulate.

A Teacher of Connection she loved people and, believe it or not, she taught us how to network. Whether we were in an Uber or a hospital waiting room, Grandma had to know everyone; who they were, where they were from, and what they did. By the time she left, she didn't just have a service; she had a new friend. She was a lifelong student, too.

The very night before she went to be with the Lord, Uncle Mutwiri was giving her YouTube lessons. He was so set on "graduating" her into a full YouTube navigator the next day.

Family and Legacy Grandma was the glue of our family. She loved our Guka deeply and couldn't bear to be away from him for long.

She was big on our Christmas traditions, insisting we all dress up and go out together. She was also our "reporter" to God. Her prayers were long and incredibly raw. Sometimes I’d be sitting there, listening to her literally report her own behavior to God, and I’d have to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud.

Our Promise There are five facts we hold onto today: God loves us. God loved Gasibo. We loved her. She loved us. God delighted in the love we all shared, and we are thankful for that.

Gasibo, we will miss your drama, your warmth, and your "present" love. We will miss the phone calls, We will miss your pampering, we will miss seeing you eat samaki like a pro and showing up for us in your best outfits.

As your grandchildren, we promise to stay united. Because of the strength you poured into us, we promise to stay "strong and courageous." Just like your anchor verse,