Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Five boys orphaned after mum & dad die of bowel cancer just 5 weeks apart
FIVE children have been orphaned after their dad died of bowel cancer – weeks after they lost their mum to the same illness.
Omena Ubiaro, 38, battled the disease for three years before he passed away at a hospice yesterday.
His death came the day before his wife’s funeral. Makeda, also 38, was diagnosed last August but died on July 29 following emergency surgery.
Friends close to the family said they were too devastated to speak. It is understood the five boys, aged seven to 19, are being cared for by relatives.
One well-wisher, who posted a tribute on Facebook, said Omena’s death was a “tragedy of tragedies”.
Friends have set up an online fundraising page for the boys, which has so far raised more than £24,000.
Shortly before his death, Omena appeared in a video as part of the appeal. In the heartbreaking footage, which was filmed from a hospice in Wolverhampton, Omena said the death of his wife and his ongoing battle with cancer was the “toughest thing” he has ever dealt with.
Before his death, best friend Femi Iloyi, 40, said the dad was “determined” to be there for his children despite his condition.
He said: “He is so determined to stay alive for his children. Omena is
DEATHBED PLEA
Omena in the video appeal from his hospice bed. To support the family, visit: www.gofundme.com/supportomena-ubiaro-and-family such a humble guy, since he was diagnosed he just pulled his socks up and carried on.
“I’m not sure he has fully processed his wife’s death. He is just focusing on being there for his children.”
Omena and Makeda met when they were teenagers at St Francis Xavier College in Clapham, South London.
They married in 2004 and moved to Birmingham five years later.
In 2014 they renewed their wedding vows when Omena was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer.
While he openly discussed his condition on Youtube videos, Makeda kept her battle private.
Close friend Eudora Benn-short said: “Makeda was an angel. She was warm, caring, honest and would be there for everybody. I used to tell her there was no one like her.
“She gave so much to everyone. “What hurts the most is that she has left behind five boys.”