Adaora Henry, doctor of quiet strength

ADAORA Chikwendu Henry, an Upper Darby pediatrician who was born in Nsukka, Nigeria, died of cancer Thursday. She was 36 and lived in Havertown.

Her husband, Jerome Henry, who was president of the Philadelphia Multi-Cultural Carnival Association, had died on Sept. 15, also of cancer.

Adaora was born to Sunday and Eudora Chikwendu. The family moved to the U.S. when she was 11 and settled first in Seattle, then moved to New Paltz, N.Y.

She attended New Paltz Central High School, graduating as the class valedictorian. She received a bachelor's degree from Harvard in 1994, and her medical degree from Temple University in 1999.

She worked as a pediatrician in the office and walk-in clinic of Dr. Kazi M. Islam.

She married Jerome Henry, a native of Trinidad, on June 24, 2000. He was head of the PMCCA for several years and helped run the annual multicultural carnival in Fairmount Park.

"She had a quiet strength," said her sister, Meremu Chikwendu. "She was very focused on what she had to do.

"Everyone who came in contact with her remarked on her kindness, generosity and overall pleasant demeanor."

Adaora visited her native Nigeria in 1989, and also enjoyed cruising the Caribbean. She liked to kick back with a good romance novel, and was happiest when spending time with her children.

Besides her sister and parents, she is survived by a daughter, Victoria; a son, Jeremy; and two brothers, Zamafa and Azuka Chikwendu.

Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, 6361 Lancaster Ave.