.jpg)
Sr. Mary Immaculata was born on 18th August in Trichur, Kerala, to God fearing parents Mr. Chandy and Mrs. Annamma. Fourth among nine siblings, she was baptised as Mary and was loved by her six brothers and two sisters among whom four are now alive. Immas younger sister Kochuthresia and Four of her nephews Alex, Biju and Loyd from Kerala, and Alexander from Chandigarh are here with us today to bid their final goodbye to their loved one.
Immaculata completed her studies from Mundathikode high school in 1953 and joined religious life in the year 1955. Sister made her First Profession on 2nd July, 1958. From 1959-1962 sister completed her nurses training, RNRM from Rewa and made her final profession in 1963. Then she was a student and staff in Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Rewa till 1968. Sister served as a staff nurse in Pushpa Kunj Hospital, Indore from 1968 to 1974; Nursing Administration at MIEB Indore from 1974 to 1975. She served as the administrator of St. Judes Hospital, Jhansi from 1975 to 1988. Sister was the Superior and administrator of Asha Niketan Community and the Hospital from 1988 to 1995. She supervised the construction of Pushpa Kalyan Kendre, at Ashta from 1995 to 1998. From 1999 to 2003 sister worked in St. Joseph’s hospital, Salem. 2003 to 2011 Imma was back in Ashaniketan as the Nursing supervisor. From the year 2011 she has been part and parcel of Asha Aanchal community and then Asha Niketan community.
On Sunday, 20th October the community went for a picnic to Kolar to the Christian brothers and to Kolar dam. She enjoyed the picnic. Next morning Imma was not seen around as usual for breakfast. Sisters went into her room and found that she was not responding. She was getting recurrent seizures i.e. fits. Imma was immediately admitted in Asha Niketan
ICU and multiple tests were done which showed cerebral haemorrhage. Further treatment was given. In the first two days she was responding when we called out to her. Sacrament of the sick was given to her. The last two days she was not conscious and oriented. She was in the ICU for six days. On Saturday 26th night at 10.25 p.m. Imma had cardio pulmonary arrest and breathed her last.
Imma was a real loving ‘Amma’ to all who came into Asha Niketan, specifically to Asha Aanchal in latter years of her life. There is hardly anyone in our community of 36, whom Imma has not touched with her compassion and love. The sisters of the community relating their experiences of Imma break into tears because no one else can fill the vacuum that Imma has left in their hearts.
Immaculata is remembered as one of the best administrators, always cheerful, and humorous at times. She was found on her toes 24x7. She trained girls to be excellent nurses even though they were not fully qualified. She was generous and forgiving in her relationship with others.
Imma has left a vacuum in the hearts of all of us in Ashaniketan community and all the sisters with whom she has lived and ministered. Not only the sisters but all the friends who knew her and with whom she worked miss her presence around them today.
Asha Niketan Community
Bhopal
