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11:40 GMT, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 12:40 UK

Obituary: Gladys Wundowa

Gladys Wundowa The death of Gladys Wundowa, 50, prompted a visit from the president of her native Ghana at her family home in Chadwell Heath, Essex.

The mother-of-two died from injuries sustained on the number 30 bus in Tavistock Square.

President John Kufuor, on his way back to Ghana from an official visit to Jamaica, shared his condolences with her husband, Emmanuel, their 16-year-old daughter Azuma, son Zakari, 14, and other relatives and friends.

On 7 July, Mrs Wundowa, who had lived in London for 18 years, finished her cleaning job in the department of civil and environmental engineering at University College London at 0900 BST and was heading towards Hackney on the bus, for a meeting to do with her housing management course.

"She would give her last dime to make you comfortable"
Emmanuel Wundowa

'Trying not to harbour hatred'

Her husband, an architect who was working as a security guard, watched the news on television and became concerned when his wife failed to arrive home.

After three days of searching, the family received confirmation that she was dead.

One year on, Mr Wundowa said the sense of loss was greater than ever.

The couple had made plans to move back to Ghana and live in a house they were in the process of building.

"She never had a problem with anyone. She would give her last dime to make you comfortable. And cheerful, always smiling."

Mrs Wundowa also volunteered at a charity which helped African immigrants to settle in London, and she was heavily involved in Downs Baptist Church in Hackney.

She was buried in her home village in Ghana, where 2,000 mourners attended her funeral.



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