Obituary of Mariamma John

Mariamma (Marykutty) John was born Mariamma Varughese in Naduppara Kudilil House, Kuriannoor, Kerala to the late Mr. Mathen Varughese and the late Mrs. Mariamma Varughese as their beloved fifth child. Her siblings were Mrs. Annamma Koshy, the late Mr. Chacko Varughese, the late Master Podikunj Varughese, Mrs. Thankamma Thomas, Mr. Babu Varughese, and Mr. Thomas Varughese. After finishing her primary education in Kerala, she pursued a career in Nursing and graduated from NSG School Bombay and started her nursing career at Nair Hospital Bombay. 

In 1974, she immigrated to the United States and joined her elder sister as a registered nurse at the Staten Island University Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She provided devoted support and care to her NICU patients and their families for over 40 years, nurturing countless new lives until they were thriving. In 1977, she married her husband John K. Mathai (Moni), son of the late Mr. Mathai Mathew and the late Mrs. Annamma Mathai of Kolath Koikamannil Cherukulanji PO Karumpanamkuzy, Ranny in Kerala. They welcomed their children Amy and Brian in the years following. Over the years, she supported her siblings, nephews, their spouses and nieces in India and sponsored relatives to immigrate to the United States to join her in building new lives. She was a devoted parishioner of The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island for over 40 years. Mariamma was a woman of strong Christian faith and battled her illness and coped with her treatments with extraordinary strength, courage, and grace. She never questioned or complained about her diagnosis, her illness, or symptoms but instead believed in God's will in her life. 

Mariamma passed away peacefully at the age of 76 on June 15, 2024 at home surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Moni, her daughter Amy, son Brian, son-in-law Shameal, grandson Isaiah, daughter-in-law Diana, grandsons Jacob and Jaxson, along with her beloved siblings, nieces and nephews. She was especially grateful to her husband Moni for being her caretaker over the last nine and a half months, showing her great love, patience, support and steadfast attention to her wants and needs. These were very difficult months for them both, and Mariamma was grateful for his care, love and support. Everyone who knew Mariamma knew what a kind, caring, loving and beautiful person she was. She will be missed by everyone who knew and treasured her on Earth, but we take comfort knowing she will now be reunited with her parents and siblings, safe in the arms of the Lord.