Early Life
Birth and Family
The late Elder Margaret Wambui Gathoga was born in 1964 at Ting’ang’a, Gikaru. She was the beloved daughter of the late Peter Muroko and the late Hannah Wanjiku Muroko, their last-born child. She was the loving wife of Retired Elder Jonathan Gathoga. She was a cherished sister to the late Njeri, the late Benson Wateri, Rachel Wanjiru, Lucy Wakonyo, Douglas Njuguna, Benson Gituku, and Francis Muroki. She was a devoted mother to Carolyne Wanjiku, Simon Kimani and Margaret Wanjiru, Elder Ruth Wanjiru and Peter Kamweru, Rahab Nduta and Joseph Kangethe, Gladys Wanjiku and Anthony Njoroge. She was a loving grandmother to Abby, Leo, Wambui, Wangari, Njeri, Gathoga, Jonathan, Kelly, Prudence, Chelsea, Dennis, Eric, Ng’ang’a, Naomi, Josephine, and Gathoga. She was a great-grandmother to Shiro, Kimani, and many others who found comfort and guidance in her care.
Childhood and Upbringing
Margaret grew up like many children of her time, helping her parents with household chores and participating in community life.
Education
She began her education at Ngemwa Primary School, where she performed well and completed her primary studies successfully. She proceeded to Gathirimu Girls Secondary School, excelling in her academics.
Her passion for service led her to join the Kenya Medical Training College – Kakamega, where she trained as a nurse.
Marriage and Family Life
Elder Margaret was united in holy matrimony with Mr Jonathan Gathoga on 6th September 2014. Together they shared a beautiful and fulfilling marriage, raising their children in love, faith, and unity. Their home was a haven of joy, hospitality, and mutual respect.
Mama’s Favourite Playlist
Vocation
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Career Service
Elder Margaret served faithfully as a nurse in several hospitals, including Mpeketoni (Lamu), Tigoni, Kiambu Level 5, Kagaa, and Kamburu, where she served until her final rest. Her career in nursing spanned an impressive 35 years, marked by dedication, compassion, and excellence.
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Faith and Church Ministry
Elder Margaret was baptized at PCEA Kanoru which is PCEA Gituamba, where she was first ordained as an Elder. She also served as Chairlady of the Health Board and was an active member of the Women’s Guild, from which she was commissioned in September 2013.
After her wedding, she joined PCEA Kamburu Parish – Matimbei Church, where she was ordained as an Elder in 2016 by Rev. Leah Ndegwa. She continued to serve diligently as: Patron of the Parish Health Board, Session Clerk of PCEA Matimbei Church, and Pairing Elder to the minister from 2019 to 2023.
Her leadership was marked by humility, wisdom, and deep faith in God.
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Community Life and Character
Elder Margaret was known for her generosity, warmth, and commitment to the well-being of others. She was an active member of several community groups and development initiatives in the Matimbei area. Her kindness and hospitality touched many lives, leaving a lasting legacy of love and service.
Illness
You carried so many battles in your body, yet you faced each day with grace and quiet strength. In 2021, you suffered a pulmonary embolism, which led to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and weakened your heart and lungs. Over time, these complications developed into COPD and pulmonary hypertension, conditions that made breathing harder and placed tremendous strain on your heart.
The doctors told us that you must have been exposed to smoke as a child, something none of us could have imagined back then. Yet even with that hidden burden, you lived a full, loving, generous life. You took care of everyone, even while your own lungs and heart carried damage that no one could see.
Through all of this, you fought with courage. You stayed on your medication, kept your appointments, and pushed through every difficulty quietly, without ever wanting to worry us. You gave love, guidance, and kindness even on the days when your body felt weak.
As the years passed, the strain on your heart increased, eventually leading to heart failure, on top of COPD and pulmonary hypertension. By early 2025, your condition became severe. Your heart was tired, your lungs were tired, and your body had given everything it could.
But in your final moments, you were peaceful. You became quiet so gently, without fear, without struggle—just the way you lived. And in that soft stillness, you went to be with the Lord, freed from pain, breathlessness, and the long fight you carried so bravely.
Mummy, you were our anchor. Our comfort. Our safe place. You fought silently, you loved loudly, and you gave your whole heart to your family. We miss you every day, but we thank God that you are now resting in His perfect peace—breathing freely, finally unburdened.
You are forever our heart.
You are forever our home.
And until we meet again,
We love you, we honor you, and we carry your love with us always.
How we remember Mama Margaret
Husband – Mr. Jonathan Gathoga
My beloved wife was God’s greatest gift to me. From the day we met, her joy, laughter, and strong faith filled my life with light. She was not only my wife but also my best friend, my confidant, and my prayer partner.
For over 11 years that God gave us, we walked hand in hand — through every season — trusting in the Lord together. She brought warmth and life into our home. Her contagious laughter could brighten even the hardest day. WaCaro was a joyful woman who loved God deeply and cared for everyone around her. Her faith never wavered, and her strength and love held our family together. I will always remember her laughter, her kindness, and her early morning prayers that covered us all. WaCaro taught me what it means to live with joy, to forgive quickly, and to love without measure. She was a woman of wisdom, courage, and great beauty — inside and out.
I thank God for blessing me with so many wonderful years by her side. We laughed together, we worked together, we prayed together. And even now, I know that her spirit lives on — in our daughter, in our grandchildren, and in every heart she touched. My dear wife, you have finished your race faithfully. You have loved well. And though I will miss you every day, I find peace in knowing you are with the Lord you served so faithfully. Until we meet again, mwendwa wakwa, you will always be my blessing, my joy, and my song.
Daughter – Carolyne Wanjiku Wambui
“From my mother’s breasts, You have been my God.” Psalms 22:10.
The bond between Mom and me has been special from the very beginning. Being Mom’s only biological child, I got to experience pure devotion. She made sure I dressed well, was well educated, and that I learned to live with character and grace. Mom’s enduring love was shown through her sacrifices — all to help me become the person God created me to be.
Mom was a prayer warrior. Every morning, she woke up at 3:00 am to pray. I was blessed to have a praying mother, and I attribute so many of my blessings to her spiritual guidance and leadership. She encouraged me to serve God, always asking if I had found a church wherever work took me. I want to serve God and continue her legacy. Mom was a content woman — taking each season as it came. She never chased after things, but instead chose to love deeply: to love God, her husband, me, and her grandchildren.
I was blessed to watch Mom experience love and devotion from Dad, Mr Jonathan— from doing chores together to providing abundantly for her. Theirs was a love marked by laughter, partnership, and faith. Indeed, Mom, you have had your last laugh — surrounded by love until the very end. My children were so fortunate to enjoy a young Shosh — full of joy, laughter, and endless love.
Mom was never afraid to stand for the truth. Some may have mistaken that for being difficult, but from her, I learned to set boundaries and surround myself with people who truly respect me. She taught me to enjoy the moment. Mom was vibrant, full of life, and deeply devoted to God’s work. Mom, it’s a great blessing to have been a parent for forty years, a grandparent for over fifteen, and most importantly, to have finished strong. Mum, I want to be like you. To serve God like you. To be loved like you were loved by Babu. To be as stylish and excellent as you always were. And to love these babies like there’s no tomorrow — just like you taught me to. Some people may ask, “How do I move on from here?” My answer is simple — Psalms 139 and Psalms 23. “You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. You hem me in, behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me.” — Psalm 139:1, 5 “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He restores my soul… and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23:1, 3, 6 Mom knew this truth, and now I rest in it too — that God has always known us, and He will guide us still.
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalms 31:24.
Leo
We gather here today to celebrate a life well lived, full of hope, joy, peace and God’s favour and grace. She was a wise woman and an emblem of encouragement. She always gave my sister and I important insights, and telling us to “soma kwa bidii”.
One of my fondest memories of her was her singing to my baby sister Shani while she was eating her dinner. She has touched many hearts, and brought light and warmth into a cold room.
Another thing I will miss is her delicious chapos and food. She has shown me the importance of serving others and most importantly, God.
I remember the last conversation that I had with her last week. She told me to work hard in school, and that she loved me and that she was proud to be my grandmother. I am proud to be her grandson because she has shown me the way that I should always walk in; the straight and narrow one. She has also shown me the importance of pursuing and maintaining a relationship with Christ to live a life full of blessings and peace.
Shosh was a faithful servant of God, touching hearts and guiding futures. May her spirit of kindness and grace continue to live in our hearts, and may her soul rest in eternal peace, in heaven, where there will be no more pain or sorrow.
Abbie
For those who don’t know me, my name is Abbie, grandchild of Shosh. Today we gather in remembrance, not to mourn but to celebrate the vibrant, joyful life that Shosh lived. Shosh was an extraordinary woman. With words of encouragement for every season and was a beacon of hope and joy for most if not all of us in this room. From the day I first met her, she was a vibrant, encouraging woman with joy that came only from Heaven.
One of my favourite memories of her is singing with Babu in the kitchen while making the best chapatis. All of my fond memories of my beloved grandmother is of her smiling and enjoying the moment. Shosh, you taught me how to be content in every situation, love every moment and smile in every circumstance. You have shown me the importance of enjoying life to the fullest and most of all, the importance of having a relationship with Christ. You have taught me lifelong lessons through the life you lived. I will never stop epitomizing the joy that Shosh displayed. Every moment with you was a moment filled with excitement, happiness and prevailing peace.
Shosh was truly a joy to behold. She led by the best example, serving her family, colleagues and most of all God. The last statement I heard from Shosh was “Work hard. I love you”. So I will continue to work hard, just like you said and hold on to your love in the toughest moments.
Shosh’s story doesn’t end here- it continues to live on in our hearts, through the songs she sang, the hearts she touched and every drop of love she poured into the spaces she was in. Her legacy is one of joy, kindness and steadfast faith in God- and that should continue to live through us. Thank you Shosh for the light, and boundless warmth you poured into each of us.
Shanie Wambui
Shosh and Shani had a special bond- One filled lots of laughter, singing and dancing. One of our favourite memories were of Shosh singing “kunywa yoghurt mama. Yoghurt ni mzuri. Inajenga mwili” to make Shani smile and eat. Shosh even had a special nickname reserved just for Shani-‘my name’. Shosh loved Shani, beyond measure. May Shosh’s songs and love continue to live in Shani’s heart, just as they do in all of ours.
Prudence
Grandma, your life was a masterclass in love and grace. Your kitchen was the heart of our family, always filled with the comforting smell of your cooking and the sound of your laughter. You had a quiet strength, a wisdom that guided us, and a kindness that touched everyone you met. I will forever cherish the stories you told, the lessons you taught, and the warmth of your embrace. Though a light has gone out in the world, your memory burns brightly within our hearts. Thank you for being the very best. We miss you more than words can say. Forever loved.
Colleagues, Kiambu County Health Team
It’s with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to a colleague whom I have worked with since she was posted in Lari Subcounty. She has worked diligently, enduring the harsh weather and terrains to serve the great people of Kagaa Health Centre and later Kamburu Dispensary as the facility in- charge.
It’s only been a few weeks since we computed your leave days to facilitate your retirement period starting 1st December 2025, but it seems God had other plans. We talked during your earlier hospitalisation and assured me on your discharge, you are well.
The colleagues you worked with in Kiambu Level 5 Nyayo ward keep on calling me asking what happened to their Friend and colleagues. Your Lari Subcounty colleagues were gearing up to hold a retirement party to celebrate you. The retired nurses were eagerly waiting to admit you into their club, but those were our plans, and God’s plans always prevail.
Your County Director, Madam Monicah and Deputy Mwega were devastated by the news of your departure, together with all nursing fraternity. We thank God for the opportunity He gave us to learn from you, work and interact with you.
As nurses believe: NURSES DON’T DIE, THEY REST! REST WELL, OUR COMRADE MARGARET WAMBUI GATHOGA.
Carol and family, Our hearts ache with you in this time of loss. We thank God for the beautiful life of an unforgettable mother, Mrs. Margaret Wambui Gathoga – Our beloved Mama Carol. We lift her before the Lord, asking
that God receive her spirit in His eternal kingdom.
May God, who is close to the brokenhearted, surround you with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Our prayers are with you and your children as you walk through this valley. May she never be forgotten and may her legacy live on through you and the little ones.
Mum, forever in our hearts.
Condolences
© 2025. Elder Margaret Wambui Gathoga Memoir. All Rights Reserved.