Mariamma Koshy

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LIVE STREAM http://mariammakoshy.creativedigitalvision.com/

Friday, July 19th 4-8 pm (Pacific Standard Time) 

Saturday, July 20th, 8:30-burial (Pacific Standard Time)

Mariamma was the oldest daughter of Thomas and Aleyamma Chacko, born in Maramon, Kerala, India. She was the third of seven children (Baby, Johnny, Thankamma, Ammukutty, Kunjamma, Kunjumon, Kunjumol). She attended Maramon Marthoma Middle School and Pullad High School.

Mariamma went to nursing school at 18 years of age in Mysore, Karnataka, India. She worked as a Registered Nurse for over 15 years, in various Tea Estates: Iyerpadi tea estate in Valparai, Tamil Nadu; Mango range tea estate in Tamil Nadu; Rippon tea estate in Meppadi, Kerala. As a Registered Nurse, she delivered about a thousand babies, diagnosed and prescribed medicine and was in charge of the nursing.

In 1966, she married Philip Koshy (Thampy) from Modolil, Parel, Pullad. They had a son, Terry and daughter, Tenny. She kept working while taking care of her children. She raised her children in the fear of the Lord, taught them how to work hard to provide for their family and love others.

In 1975, Koshy and Mariamma immigrated to Palm Springs, California, USA by being sponsored by Robert Saler, owner of a rest home, with a few dollars with them. She struggled to adjust to life in the US, as there were no Indians, no Indian spices or rice sold in stores. Their children attended a boarding school in India for 2 years and she missed them dearly. While waiting to get certified in California, she worked as a home nurse and housekeeper. In 1976, they moved to an apartment in the city of Los Angeles, and worked in a convalescent home as an LVN. In 1977, they brought their children to the US. Once she obtained her California RN license, she worked at Kaiser West Los Angeles, where she retired from years later. She loved caring for others. Mariamma volunteered at the voting booth during elections after her retirement. They bought a house in Culver City and lived there for over 25 years and moved to Cerritos, all within LA County. They loved to travel, so they drove through 30+ US states and have visited many countries, including Israel.

When Mariamma was in her teens, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She was born and raised in a Marthomite family. In the US, she attended the Baptist Temple, India Christian Assembly and Calvary Chapel South Bay and Calvary Chapel La Palma. She was baptized in the Jordan River. She loved to share how Jesus blessed her and shared it with others by opening up her home for prayer meetings. She trusted in God’s unfailing Word and she read through the Holy Bible several times. Her unwavering faith in God was a source of strength and comfort for her, guiding her through life’s ups and downs with grace. She did not believe in rumors, gossip or lies, she stood for the truth. She also did not allow anyone to push her out. They volunteered and supported many Christian ministries at home and in India. Koshy and Mariamma along with his brother, Johnson ran an orphanage with 11 boys until they were 18. They always had a heart for those who immigrated and didn’t have family nearby. They helped and gave wise counsel to many who are now doing well.

Mariamma was a good cook and showed hospitality. She had a green thumb, her garden was always full of vegetables and fruits. During the prayer meetings, she cooked an abundant meal which included several meat dishes as well as vegetable dishes from her garden. She asked people for any health challenges and prepared the meals accordingly. She loved to bless her extended family to give them a better life.

Mariamma had a fall 2 years prior where, she broke one of her thigh bones on her left leg. She was able to come back home after rehabilitation. She did not eat solid foods for the last 2 years and did well on a liquid diet. Koshy took excellent care of her at home. The last few months of her life, three caretakers came in the daytime to help. Mariamma did not lose any weight and all her lab work was within the normal range. She passed away at home peacefully with a smile on her face.

Mariamma was also known as Thankamma, Ammama, Mrs. Koshy, Madam, Ma’am, Mommy and Ammachi or Grandma. She was a loving wife and mother; always caring and considerate. She always made sure there was cooked food for the family. She was ecstatic to become a grandmother. She loved and cherished all six of them, three granddaughters and three grandsons. She took special care to make food the grandkids could eat, as some of them had many food allergies.

She is survived by one sister, Ammukutty, her husband, Koshy, children (Terry, Tenny and Asher) and grandchildren (Charis, Alana, Jeremy, Sophia, Elisha and Gabriel).

Her body was laid to rest at Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA.

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