Ex-senator Ben Bruce hurts as mum dies, aged 95

The matriarch of the Murray-Bruce family, Margaret, is dead, according to a statement by his son, former senator Ben Murray-Bruce.

Bruce, founder of Silverbird Communication, owner of Rhythm FM and Silverbird Television, in posts on his Facebook and Twitter handles, said his mother passed on around 4:40am on Tuesday.

He said: “Life. Indeed, like sand in the wind, today it’s here, tomorrow it’s gone. My mum is gone. She died at 4:40am this morning. My gem of inestimable value, my support system, my best friend, my everything—she’s gone.

“My consolation is that in her lifetime, I gave her not just everything that money could buy, but most importantly, I gave her my presence, my time, my everything. On uncountable occasions, I will go to her house to hug her and play with her for no reason but love, the kind that only sons share with their mums. I love you, mum, and I miss you. This one hurts so bad. Forever yours.”

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The former lawmaker lost his wife of 41 years, Evelyn, to cancer in March 2020.

Margaret, the last of three children of her parents, was born by an Englishman, James Lee from Britain and Mrs. Bessy Lee, a native of Bayelsa State.

She was born on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

Her father was an engineer with the Nigerian Marine, who helped to man the Nigerian waterways while her mother was a full-time housewife.

Margaret was married off as a bride-child to her husband, William Murray-Bruce at 16 and had her first child at 18. At that time, it was a common practice and, in an interview, she said she felt lucky to have been matched with the right man.