Mrs. Saramma Varkey's Obituary
Saramma Mammen Varkey
January 23, 1942 – June 17, 2015
Saramma Mammen was born in Thalavady on January 23, 1942. She is the daughter of K.C. Mammen and Aleyamma Mammen and was the youngest of 6 children: Her brothers included K.M. Samuel, K.M. George, and her sisters included Chinnamma Thomas, Accamma Abraham, and Aleyamma Cherian, all deceased. She studied nursing in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh and began practicing nursing at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. On November 26, 1967, Saramma Mammen married James Chakalayil of the Chackalayil Thadathil House in Thalavady. While in India, Saramma gave birth to two children – Anil Varkey on April 30, 1969 and Ajit Varkey on October 14, 1972. In 1975, Saramma moved to the United States while James completed his service with the Indian Navy. Upon honorable discharge, James and their two young sons joined Saramma in the U.S. in 1976. In 1980, James and Saramma’s youngest son Alex Varkey was born in Pasadena, TX on December 17th. Saramma dedicated a great part of her life to healing children in the City of Pasadena, where she served as a pediatric nurse at Bayshore Medical Center for over 30 years. Saramma was defined by many wonderful traits. She will be remembered as one of the kindest souls by her friends and her family. She possessed a dutiful desire to help others – as evidenced by her chosen profession and her relentless efforts to take care of her family and her friends. Saramma loved to talk about life and her devout Christian faith with her friends and family – and for those that had the privilege of speaking with her, they would immediately appreciate how surprisingly humorous she was. She loved to laugh. Saramma’s absolute favorite pastime in her final years was spending quality time with her four granddaughters. Saramma Varkey passed away in Houston, TX after a long bout with diabetes, kidney disease, and other ailments. She is survived by her three sons – Anil, Ajit, and Alex, and four grandchildren – Angelina Varkey, Julia Sara Varkey, Annika Sara Varkey, and Aysha Susan Varkey. She will always be remembered by her family and friends as a loving wife, a caring mother and grandmother, a devout Christian, and an overall compassionate and generous person. She will truly be missed.
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