Obituary Mrs. Thankamma Mathews

Mrs Thankamma Mathews, age 93, wife of Late Mr. John Mathews, was born on 2nd January 1930, to Kaithavana Abraham and Sosamma Abraham, Ranni Kerala, India called to eternity on 13th February 2023, in Kumbanad. After her schooling she went to St Therasa’s College Ernakulam, Kerala for her pre degree and Women’s College Trivandrum where she obtained a degree in Philosophy (BA).

Soon after her graduation, she was married to John Mathews (Mathukutty) in 1955, and joined him in Singapore. She was a very active member of the Mar Thoma Church and played a supportive role to her husband Mathukutty who was a lay leader/reader and Sunday school teacher.

In the early 1960s, she moved to Kumbanad, Kerala with her children for their schooling. Whilst in Kumbanad, she was very active in the church, especially the Suvishesha Sevika Sangam at the local and central level. Alongside a few other women, she also started the YWCA in Kumbanad and served as its secretary multiple times.

In 1974 she moved to London, UK, with her husband and children. She, along with her husband, joined the worshiping community based in the Indian YMCA and took an interest in the formation of the Mar Thoma Congregation, which later became the Mar Thoma Church UK. She also took the initiative, together with a dedicated group of women, to start a chapter of the Mar Thoma Suvishesha Sevika Sangam in the UK and served as its 1st Secretary. Through various initiatives they collected significant funds supporting the charitable activities of the Central organization in Kerala, India. She was a sister, mother and grandmother to the diaspora community in London, especially to new migrants and students who were in London away from their families. Many people fondly retell stories of her hospitality and warmth when they were newly arrived in London.

On retirement, Mrs. Mathews together with her husband returned to their roots in Kumbanad, Kerala, India, and spent their retirement happily among the extended family and church community. She dedicated her life in her later years to taking care of her husband till his passing away in 2003. She remained strong and independent as she aged gracefully.

Mrs. Mathews is survived by her children Mr. Noble Mathew, London UK, Mrs. Mary George (Sissy) Chennai, India, Dr. Susan Kuruvilla, Liverpool, UK, Mr Anil Mathew, London, UK and grandchildren, Mr. Reuben George, Mrs. Ruth George, Mr. Ben Mathew, Dr. Naomi Mathew, Dr. Rebecca Kuruvilla, Dr. Nathan Kuruvilla, Dr. Rianka Mathew and Great grandchildren, John, Josh and Anika.

On behalf of the worldwide FOCUS family, the editorial board of the FOCUS extends their deep felt condolences to the family and friends of Late Mrs. Thankamma Mathews’ family and her friends. May her soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

Anisha Abraham, M.D., M.P.H., has been selected to serve as division chief of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. She has served as acting division chief for the past year and is also the program director of the Adolescent Medicine’s Fellowship and medical director of the Donald Delaney Eating Disorders Clinic.

Dr. Abraham came to Children’s National as a fellow after receiving her medical degree at Boston University’s School of Medicine and completing her internship and residency at Walter Reed’s National Military Medical Center. As She completed her fellowship at the Military Medical Center, she earned her Master’s degree in public health at George Washington University.

Prior to joining Children’s National, Dr. Abraham spent many years overseas in Hong Kong and the Netherlands, serving as a faculty member at the School of Public Health at Chinese University as well as at the University of Amsterdam. She also has experience as an adolescent health consultant to international schools and organizations and has won several faculty teaching awards throughout her career.

In the U.S., Dr. Abraham has led the Adolescent Medicine departments at both Georgetown University Hospital and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Abraham is a trusted voice in adolescent medicine with a particular focus on teen mental health and resilience, often contributing to national and international media. She has written a book on raising cross-cultural adolescents and published numerous research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She recently co-produced a short film which was an Oscar contender based on her family’s immigration experience, retelling their visit to Neil Armstrong’s house in 1969. Dr. Abraham currently serves on the Board of the Society of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. In her free time, she enjoys running and traveling. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Abraham, Philadelphia.

FOCUS editorial board congratulates Dr. Anisha Abraham on her new appointment. May her career development be an example and encouragemnet for young people every where.