Jane Nduta Wathigo, 79, of Ocoee Florida, passed away on April 5th 2024 at Osceola Regional Hospital after a short illness.
Jane was born on November 11th 1944 in Nairobi, Kenya; daughter to her late parents David and Grace Wathigo.
Jane is survived by her daughter, Juliet Gitau and her husband, Pius Gitau; seven grandchildren, Bryanna Barnett, Kemi Agbelusi, Kimani Gatamah, Khloe Gitau, Kayla Gitau, and the late Angelica and Angelo Githere,; and many great-grandchild among them, Gilani Gitau; and one sister, Esther Wambui Kamau.
She is also survived by her beloved grand-furbabies Romeo and Zion.
Jane is preceded in death by her siblings, the late Damaris Wanjiku Wathigo, the late Margaret Nungari Mungai, the late Frederick Kimani Wathigo, the late John Gitau Wathigo, and the late Elizabeth Mukuhi Gatamah.
Jane completed her early education at Mugumo-ini Primary School Kabete and Mary Leakey Intermediate School. She also trained as a Teacher at Machakos Teachers Training College. Around 1966, Jane also briefly studied nursing in Glasgow, Scotland. Jane further went on to study and achieve a Business Management Degree at Boston College.
After completing her education, she returned back to Kenya where she started her first job as an Accountant at The Office of the President. During her illustrious career in the Kenya Government service, she held various positions in multiple ministries – The Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Health – as well as served in the Diplomatic Service in Nigeria and Ethiopia.
In her later years she also studied and worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and was passionate about working with elderly patients. Many of the families loved and enjoyed Jane’s empathy and good spirit and continued long friendships.
Jane was not only successful at her career, she was an astute business woman who developed a vast real estate portfolio in Kenya, she engaged in transportation services and owned a successful butchery in Nairobi.
Jane’s love for family and friends was evident as she was always lending a helping hand. Whether was it was providing job opportunities, business advice, providing financial assistance and connections to assist family and friends further their education both in Kenya and the USA.
She received Christ as her Lord and savior in the early 2000s, and when she was not ill she attended the local Kenya church in Orlando, Streams of Life, and also attend First Baptist Church.
Her personality was joyful, adventurous and fun-loving. She loved bringing people together, and was always inviting friends and family to celebrate her daughter, Juliet’s, birthday. Christmas and holiday parties were always memorable at her home.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home – East Orlando Chapel, 895 S. Goldenrod Rd, Orlando.
Interment will follow at the Orlando Memorial Gardens, 5246 Ingram Rd, Apopka, Florida where she will be laid to rest.
