Story by Harrison Maina
AjabuAfrica.com
Boston, MA
04/09/2008

A Brockton, Massachusettes, father of three was laid to rest in a sorrowful funeral last week on Thursday, April 3 rd, 2008.
The late Mr. Samuel Karanja, 40, passed away after a hard fought battle with colon cancer. A condition diagnosed barely seven months ago. His loving wife, Mary Karugia, and three children, all of Brocton, loving parents and several brothers and sisters, survive him.

The death of Mr. Karanja came at a time that the Kenyan community was trying to recover from the loss of another young man, the late Mr. Samuel Githiabii, 30, two weeks ago in a mysterious drowning incident in Sudbury River. 

As the family grappled with the agony of seeing Mr. Karanja bravely undergo cancer treatment, their six-month old baby developed serious complications with nerves. The child underwent a successful operation at the Children’s Hospital in Boston several days ago. He is slowly recuperating with his loving mother always at his side at the hospital. 

Friends and family, in a show of true love and immense kindness, congregated at the Cross Road Worship Center Center last Sunday, March 30th 2008, in Weymouth and raised a total of $31,500 in one sitting. This figure was almost similar to the one raised a week ago in aid of the late Sam Githiabii’s family.

It was with great empathy that well-wishers turned out in large numbers at the Cross Roads Worship Center in Weymouth, MA to donate generously.  Mrs. Karanja has been out of work for the last six months as she struggled to juggle between a sick husband and an ailing child.
 
”When you think of helping, please remember this family of Mary Karugia as they will need a lot of support from all of us”, said Ms Jane Wambu, while thanking all those who showed up at the fund raising. “Anything you can give will go a long way. A dinner outing, toys for the kids, taking out trash, giving the kids a ride to school, any help you can offer”, added Ms Wambu.

The family has suffered tremendously, both financially and emotionally since the sickness occurred.

A devastated Mary Karugia, right, and her three children, flanked by her sister, pose for a photo by the casket containing the body of her late husband, Samuel Karanja during a memorial service at the Assemblies of God Church, in Brockton, MA

Friends who have stood by the deceased family throughtout the late Sameul Karanja's sickness attend a memorial service held at the Assemblies of God Church in Brockton MA prior to the final journey to the burial site

During the day of the burial, friends and family first attended a memorial service that was held at the Assemblies of God, in Brockton. The late Samuel’s pastor, Rev. Karen C. Rydwansky, conducted the service. Pastor Karen moved mourners to tears as she recounted her many conversations with Samuel before and after he was diagnosed with cancer. She described him as a humorous person who was always full of life. She has known the family for many years.

Hanging a yellow coat on her shoulders, Pastor Karen drew a thunderous laughter from the mourners when she recounted an incident that occurred at Karanja’s deathbed several hours before he passed away. She said although Samuel was completely groggy from morphine and other cancer management drugs, he opened his eyes and all of a sudden asked Karen, “Who gave you that yellow coat?” Rev Karen recollected.

After searching for an acceptable answer, she replied that her husband, Frank, had bought the coat for her. Samuel just put up a little smile on and said knowingly, “Nooooo!” Pastor Karen said Samuel knew for sure that Frank would never buy that coat. “That is the kind of person he was,” Rev. Karen said. “He never showed fear in the face of death,” she added. Story continued below the pictures

Left, The late Mr Samuel Karanja's last born son, Eliel Karanja Mwangi, who is recovering from an extensive surgery seen here with a cast around his neck and shoulders as he is held by a close family friend during the memorial service at the Assemblies of God Church in Brockton, MA

Friends and family prepare to lay a wreth of flowers on the grave of the late Samuel Karanja at the Melrose Cemetary in Brockton, MA

Cemetary officials conduct the final act of burial as sorrowful friends reluctant to leave the burial site stand by

Rev. Karen prayed for the widowed family and reminded them to have faith and depend on God. “Mary is going to have to really rely on faith in God”, Rev. Karen said.

The body was laid to rest at the Melrose Cemetery in Brockton. Sullen-faced parents and other mourners tried their best to comfort the family. The widowed wife, Mary, occasionally broke down in agony of loosing her best friend, husband and provider at such a young age.