In Memory of Erefaa Ogbuaku Jnr

With profound sadness, we share the passing of Erefaa Ogbuaku Jnr (née Abel-Briggs), who left us peacefully on April 20, 2025, in Ottawa, Canada. Born on January 7, 1977, Erefaa was a beacon of love, strength, and compassion—touching countless lives with her quiet courage and boundless generosity.

Erefaa’s heart belonged to her family. As a devoted wife and mother, she poured love and grace into raising her children—Khanyisa, Chief, and Tamunomiete—and into building a nurturing home with her husband of 22 years, Ochi Ogbuaku Jnr. Motherhood was her greatest joy and proudest achievement.

Professionally, Erefaa was a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Certified Canadian Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). She held a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, an Addictions and Community Service Worker Diploma from Willis College, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Erefaa was the Owner and Director of Shades of Therapy Inc, where she provided individual, couples, family, and group counseling services with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and clinical excellence. Throughout her career, she served diverse communities with distinction through her work at organizations such as the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, Future Black Female, and the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization. She was a passionate advocate for mental health, youth empowerment, and the well-being of women and girls.

Erefaa’s dedication to community service was widely recognized. She was honored as an Outstanding Community Builder by the Nigerian Canadian Association Ottawa (NCAO) in 2023, and her selfless contributions through her work with Family Hub were formally recognized by Chandra Arya, Member of Parliament for Nepean.

Her work was an extension of her heart—rooted in empathy, wisdom, and a deep commitment to mental health, youth empowerment, and the well-being of girls. She created safe, hopeful spaces for those in need and became a trusted confidante, mentor, and community builder. Erefaa lived with quiet integrity, teaching others to hold fast and persevere, no matter how daunting life’s challenges might be.

Erefaa leaves behind a legacy of love and grace that will be profoundly missed by her husband, Ochi Ogbuaku Jnr; her beloved children, Khanyisa, Chief, and Tamunomiete; her loving mother, Vidah; her siblings—Ann-Kio Briggs, Kilaliba Oruamabo, Blessing, and Ndidi; her brother, Awoibim; and her nieces and nephews, represented by Tamunosaki. She will also be deeply missed by the Kio Abel-Briggs family, the Ogbuaku family, and her many friends, clients, and loved ones. Her spirit lives on in the lives she touched, the hearts she healed, and the love she shared.

We mourn Erefaa’s passing but celebrate her extraordinary life. Her light continues to guide us all

The family will receive relatives and friends at Heritage Funeral Complex, 1250 Trim Rd., Orléans, on Friday, May 23rd, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Heritage Chapel at 10 a.m., followed by a reception. Interment will be held at St-Joseph Cemetery, 2757 St. Joseph Blvd., Orléans at 1 p.m.