We deeply regret the demise of our senior member Mrs. Kunjamma Jacob (Mary), beloved mother of our members Mrs. Elizabeth Varghese and Mrs. Ancy George on October 04, 2019. Our prayers and condolences to the bereaving family.
Kunjamma Jacob (Mary) was born in Kuttoor, Thiruvella, Kerala, lndia to the Pandicherril family to P.A. Abraham and Annamma Abraham. She was the second of five children. She has three younger sisters (Chinnamma, Thankamma, and Shanthamma) an older brother PA. lssac and younger brother late Mr. Raju Abraham.
Kunjamma pursued a career as a teacher and taught Hindi at St. Francis Girls high school in Aluva. She was an amazing teacher who taught so many students and her passion for teaching never left her life. She continued to teach people around her with her wisdom and witty sense of humor.
On May 19, 1968 she married the love of her life Jacob Varkey and had an exemplary beautiful marriage for 51 years. She was the true definition of a loving, committed wife always making sure her Achachen was taken care of. Kunjamma had three daughters Elizabeth, Ancy and Susan.
ln 1989, Kunjamma came to New Jersey with her three girls to join Jacob after he arrived in New Jersey one year prior and worked hard in various jobs. She worked as a dietary aide in the Allendale Nursing Home for most of her remaining working years. She was always admired for her warm friendly demeanor and smiles, hard work ethic, dedication, and willingness to do any work given to her.
Despite her long hours and physical labor at work, her two passions that she always made time for was cooking and gardening. These two passions combined were seen in the abundance and overflow of her vegetable garden and her meals. Kunjamma would always come home and prepare the most delicious meals for her family and friends every day with love. Over the years she was not only an amazing wife but a mother, grandmother, friend, sister, aunt etc.
She was loved by many and will always be remembered for her story telling and positive attitude towards life.
ln her mid 70’s Kunjamma battled Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that affects progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, and changes in personality and mood. However, despite the progression of this disease on her what shined the most was the love that she always had for her loved ones and God.
Throughout her entire life, it was also important for her that everyone around her experienced God’s love and pure joy. One of the bible verses that she would continuously recite was Psalms 27:1.”The lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” She continuously fought until the very end and was eventually taken into God’s hands peacefully on October 4, 2019 surrounded by her loving husband, children, grandchildren, son in laws, family and friends.
God was the light that led her life. Let’s choose to remember Kunjamma (Mary) in her light. The amazing light of love that she gave so many and will always be.
ln lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made ln Memory of Kunjamma Jacob to the following organizations:
Alzheimer’s Association- The Alzheimer’s Association
Valley Hospital Hospice Foundation – Valleyhospitalfoundation.org
Love and Prayers, Jacob Varkey, Jeemon and Elizabeth Varghese, Saju and Ancy George, and Susan Jacob, Christa, Emil, Sneha, Mekha, Mason and Owen.
Viewing and Services
Viewing
St. Mary’s Orthodox Church
66 E. Maple Ave., Suffern, NY 10901
Sunday, October 5, 2019
4:00PM – 8:00PM
Funeral Services
St. Mary’s Orthodox Church
66 E Maple Ave., Suffern, NY 10901
Monday, October 7, 2019 – 8:30AM
Interment
Ascension Cemetery
550 Saddle River Rd, Monsey, NY 10952
(845) 352-7220
Monday, October 7, 2019 10:3OAM
