Prof. Dr. Aleyamma Saji Varughese

Prof. Dr. Aleyamma Saji Varughese (64), went to be with the Lord on August 17th 2022, surrounded by her husband, Rev. Johnson Varughese, children Pretty, Priya, Nancy, and their husbands Binu, Sijo and Abin as she passed away peacefully.

She was born on May 29th, 1958, at Venmoney, Kerala, to P.V. Varughese, Mattathethu, a teacher at Mar Thoma High School, Venmoney, and Annamma Varughese of Mullasseril, Thazhava, who together raised four beautiful daughters. Her sisters are Shaji Jose, Vazhoor, a retired teacher, Reji Samson, Mathaimukku, also a retired teacher and Viji Thomas, Kalamassery, a teacher. She was fondly called Saji Kochamma by the people around her.

She did her schooling at Venmoney Mar Thoma school and was a top scorer in the SSLC exam. She completed her Pre-degree and Bachelors (B.Sc.) in Zoology at Christian College, Chengannur, and Masters (M.Sc.) in Zoology at St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry with a first class. She took B.Ed. Degree from PEET Memorial Training College, Mavelikara. She also completed M.Phil. at Calicut University with 2nd rank. She obtained her Ph.D. from Cochin University of Science and Technology. On November 7th, 1983, she got married to Rev. Johnson Varughese, Pulickal, Venmoney, a priest of the Mar Thoma church, and settled in Kalamassery. As a family, they diligently worked at various parishes of the Mar Thoma church for the past 39 years. They are blessed with three children. Pretty is married to Binu Philip who are blessed with two children Nathan and Arya, settled in Danville, IL. Dr. Priya is married to Dr. Sijo Sunny and blessed with a daughter, Abigail, currently living in Champaign, IL. Ar. Nancy is married to Abin Mathew, residing in Wheeling, IL.

Saji kochamma was a dedicated educator. Her teaching career spanned for over three decades, starting at St. Jude school, Venmoney. She joined Mar Thoma College for Women, Perumbavoor, Kerala as a junior lecturer on Nov 21st, 1984. During her 30-year tenure as a Professor and Head of the Department in Zoology, she also served as the principal of the college in 2007. She retired on May 31st, 2014, and began full time ministry to serve the Lord with her beloved husband.

She held leadership roles at different associations in the college and worked for the welfare of the college and students. Apart from other responsibilities, she always led prayer and worship in the college chapel. Some of the memorable contributions she made during the initial years of the college include fund raisers and donation of library books from the U.S, she was able to complete multiple development projects for the Women’s college including construction of the College Chapel, P.G. Block, and the library. She was also appointed as the administrator of Balikamandiram, Perumbavoor and was like a mother and a good counselor to the children.

As the wife of a priest, Saji Kochamma was a comforting, serving and caring person. The parishioners always expressed great joy in her warmth and love. She also took time to preach at churches and devotional meetings.

Her generosity, humility and pleasing nature knew no bounds. She was a great host. She welcomed home guests, relatives, and friends even with her very busy schedule and in times of her sickness. She was a wonderful grandmother to Nathan, Arya, and Abigail. She taught them stories from the Bible and encouraged them to pray every day.

Thanking God for her wonderful and inspirational life, fruitful to both God and all the people around her. She passed through several instances of the valley of death and finally reached her destination to join the Lord’s glory. While we are deeply saddened by her loss, we cherish the memories which will remain in our hearts forever and we hope to meet her again with the Lord. The family welcomes all to attend a celebration of her extraordinary life, where they can share their own anecdotes and memories.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022, from 5 pm until 8:30 pm at Chicago Mar Thoma Church, 240 Potter Road, Des Plaines, IL. Funeral services and visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 9:45 am until 11:30 am. Burial will follow at Warren Cemetery, Gurnee. Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, 4606 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee. Please sign the guestbook at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; for information call 847-571-7719.

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