Annamma Varughese

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, & Friend

Annamma Varughese (Thankamma) was born on May 18, 1948 to the late Mathai Mani and Sosamma Mathan Mani of the Eakonil Kochuparambil House in Kumaranalloor, Kottayam, Kerala.  She had 2 older sisters (Amini & Kunjumol) and a younger brother (Mon) and from childhood had a reputation of being a “paavam” which means “one with a childlike innocence”.  Born into humble beginnings, Mom’s values were centered in her Christian faith.  Mom left home at the age of 16 to complete nursing school in Calcutta where she worked for several years.  

On June 9, 1974 she married Thomas Varughese from Vaikom.  She emigrated by herself to the United States in October 1977, tearfully leaving behind her 4 month old daughter (Anni) in search of building a better life for her family.  Eventually reunited as a family and welcoming a son (Anil), they settled in Clifton, NJ where she lived for over 40 years.  Mom worked hard, often working overtime and night shifts at Passaic General Hospital and Chestnut Hill Nursing Home.  Though she faced and overcame many obstacles and defied countless odds, our mom rarely complained. Though soft spoken, and often simply dressed, she’d often surprise you with her quiet inner strength, resilience, and grit.  Her work ethic taught us the power of endurance and the beauty of grace under pressure.  

Mom was dedicated to service and helping others.  She was a nurse for over 50 years and loved taking care of people and always put others needs above her own – be it her patients, her family, or her friends.  She never fancied material things and led a simple life, enjoying life’s simple pleasures, including the company of her friends, going to church, and especially valued spending time with her husband, children, daughter-in-law (Ambily), and grandchildren (Christian, Ryan, and Selene).  Her grandchildren in particular were the center of her life, bringing her joy beyond measure.  Mom was also a kind, warm, and generous soul.  She would welcome you with an extended hand to give you a kiss and hug and always find a way to make you feel loved when you were with her.  She was the kind of person that never spoke ill of anyone, was slow to anger, and quick to forgive.  If you told her about a tiff you had with someone, she’d always remind you to ‘let go of such small things’.  She never held grudges and was an eternal optimist with a deep sense of gratitude for everything God gave her.  These were lessons she taught us every day by the way she led her life.  Mom was loved by so many and she returned that love without boundary or expectation.  Time spent with our mom meant you always left desiring to be a better person.  She was a gift to all that knew her.  

Annamma Varughese is survived by her husband Thomas, children Anni, and Anil, and his spouse Ambily, her precious grandchildren Christian, Ryan and Selene, and her siblings Kunjumol and Mon.  Mom, we were blessed beyond measure to have you as our mother. You were more than just a mother.  You were the heartbeat of our family, guiding us always along our life’s journey. Not a single day will pass that we will not miss you.  We will look to honor you by living a life worthy of the values you taught us, the love you gave us, and the faith you instilled in us.  We know you will continue to watch over us, and pray for us.  May you rest in peace. 

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