Mariamma C. Koshy (May 3, 1939 – July 6, 2019)

Mariamma C. Koshy, "Dolly", born to Chackochan Muthalaly and Rachel Chacko went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on July 6, 2019. She was married to the late Dr. Maliyil M. Koshy and is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Elizabeth & Abraham Sankaramangalam and their three children: Joshua and his wife, Hannah, David and Zachary. She is also survived by her son and daughter-in law Mathew & Suja M. Koshy and their three children: Alexander, Christiana and Rachel. Dolly was born into a family of 8 children. Her five brothers (Koshy M. Chacko, Alexander M. Chacko, Ponnachan M. Chacko, Paul M. Chacko, and Abraham M. Chacko) have all passed on. She is survived by her two sisters: Rosamma George and Elizabeth Thomas.

Dolly was a pioneer by being one of the first Indian women to immigrate to the Philadelphia area in 1970 through opportunities afforded to her as a Registered Nurse.  Her courage and determination to make a better life for her family and future generations motivated her to leave familiar surroundings in India and pursue a new life in the United States.  This is an extraordinary accomplishment when considering Indian women were just beginning to pursue education.  Dolly blazed a trail for the women in her family by not only pursuing education but also a career abroad.  Dolly was working in Lady Harding Hospital, New Delhi when she bravely voyaged across the world to her new home.  She was the embodiment of the "American Dream", often referring to the United States as the best country in the world and instilled in her children and grandchildren an appreciation and love for America.

This courageous act helped set her family up for success in the United States and created a "home base" for many relatives and friends who were yet to immigrate.  The "home base" environment was cultivated with love, joy, and grace despite a demanding career.  Hospitality was important to Dolly who was the consummate hostess who cooked elaborate home-made authentic Indian meals for her family and friends.  She always felt the need to show her love by cooking for her guests and doting on them, which many still remember.  We will all remember her self-less acts of kindness.  Her wish was that all family and friends forgive much and love more.

In her final years, Dolly wanted to see family and friends grow in their faith and would often be seen praying for people by name on a daily basis in her favorite chair which we lovingly called her "throne".  She will be missed in this life, but for believers in Jesus Christ and His word we have a certainty that we will see her again as reminded by the following verses.

" that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame ."" Romans 10:9-11 (NKJV)

" For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast ." Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

This confession is exactly what Dolly did in 2009 when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and received baptism as the Bible commands.   We celebrate her life and entry into the hands of our Lord and Savior.

There will be a visitation on Friday, July 12, 2019 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am.