Dr. Adaeze Rita Igwebuike

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved sister, Dr. Adaeze Rita Igwebuike, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the age of 54. Born on May 22, 1971, she was a cherished member of our family, physician to countless patients, and a friend to many.

Dr. Adaeze Igwebuike attended St. Ann’s Elementary School where she received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Ann’s Church. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, Ohio. She was a proud alumnus of Kent State University, graduating with high honors in biology, chemistry, and physics. Adaeze attended medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After successful completion of the Medical Exam, she practiced internal medicine at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for many years, specializing in Endocrinology.

“Dr. Ada,” as her patients, nurses, administrators, staff and fellow physicians lovingly referred to her, was known for her brilliant mind, compassionate caring spirit, bottomless bedside manners, and endless empathy for the diseased and dying, the sick and suffering, and the troubled and traumatized. She championed keeping the “care” in healthcare and the “patient” in patient care. She devoted her life to bringing comfort, peace, healing, and renewed health to thousands of patients throughout her two-plus decades as a physician.

In addition to her clinical practice, she channeled her ardent interests to impove patient care by publishing research studies and findings widely in physician journals, scholarly periodicals, and medical magazines. “Dr. Ada” was passionate about stemming the growing epidemic of high blood pressure, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. In response to the physician shortage, her concern for the most marginalized and vulnerable led her to provide medical care, support for patients at rural hospitals and free medical clinics throughout the greater Minnesota. For “Dr. Ada”, medical care was not just a human right, but also a humane right.

Dr. Adaeze was preceded in death by her beloved father – Chief [Engr.] Godwin Chike Igwebuike for whom she was the apple of his eye. She is survived by her mother – Mrs. Kathleen Igwebuike: brothers, Eboh Igwebuike, Dr. Alvin Igwebuike, Leo Igwebuike, Dr. John Igwebuike, and sister, Uche Igwebuike. Nephews, Godwin Igwebuike, Alexander Igwebuike, Arec Igwebuike, Abrem Igwebuike, Joseph Igwebuike; Nieces, Kierra Igwebuike, Neziah Igwebuike, Naomi Igwebuike, Natalia Igwebuike and Amanda Igwebuike.

Funeral ceremony for Dr. Adaeze Rita Igwebuike will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Viewing at 10 a.m. with liturgical service 11 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic church located at 5856 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo Ohio 43614. Celebration of Life held, same day June 18 at St. Joan of Arc after burial Resurrection Cemetery.