Saratha Joseph

What words can truly capture a legacy as expansive as hers?

She had a contagious smile, a warmth that embraced everyone, a heart of gold and a hospitality that was simply epic. She loved enormously, FIERCELY, and she blazed through every obstacle in her path to help others, especially the downtrodden. She lived her life in service, courage, and boundless compassion.

Early Life

Saratha Joseph (née Iyakutty) was born on September 20, 1944, in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. The “geometrical design” of the ten Kutty siblings who survived past infancy was: 2 boys, 3 girls, 3 boys, 2 girls. Saratha was the youngest of the older three girls, and she spent her childhood playing sweet and simple games with her older sister, Thayalam, in the sprawling home on Lake Street.

The backyard, full of tall weeds, became her world of imagination, hunting grasshoppers and cooking make-believe meals using empty coconut shells as pots. Powdered red brick became curry powder, and weeds became vegetables. She adored the swing her father (Appa) hung from the mango tree in the front yard and would soar daringly high, the fearless child she was.

With each new baby brother, the three girls would place one-cent bets on whether the next child would be a girl or a boy, and they were always included in choosing names.

When the Kutty family moved to Trincomalee in 1954, life changed. Saratha remained playful, and utterly unable to keep a secret. As her older sisters became teenagers, Saratha joined the younger boys in their games and mischief. Their favourite pastime was marbles, and Saratha excelled at it, beating her younger brothers and even neighbourhood kids. Arguments would erupt, often because she was unbeatable, and also because she was a master arguer.

But it was never only about her. She would fiercely defend anyone being cheated or mistreated, even if she stood alone. She always took the side of the underdog, a trait that would define her for life.

One day, Kamala, the eldest sister, lost patience with the endless quarrels and threw the entire marble collection into the deep well. Everyone stood stunned. But it didn’t take long for them to rebuild their collection from scratch.

Saratha longed to join the Kamala-Thayalam sister-duo, but the older girls were afraid to trust this impulsive teenager with their secrets, especially as they were quietly exploring Catholicism. Sensing their interest, Saratha wanted to be part of it too. Unable to resist, she attended Ash Wednesday Mass with a friend and returned home with ashes on her forehead. The drama that followed, especially the wrath of her mother (Amma), was explosive. Her older sisters could only throw darts at her with their eyes.

A Champion for the Vulnerable

Whenever anyone was hurt, Saratha stepped forward. She was a feisty soldier for the weak and vulnerable. This instinct only grew stronger with age. God was shaping her, preparing her to become His warrior for the needy.

Her countless acts of kindness and service across Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, England, and finally in Winnipeg revealed the soul of a woman who saw suffering and responded instantly. People of all faiths, as well as agnostics and atheists, admired the authenticity with which she lived her faith. Her thoughts and actions aligned. She served with purity and courage.

She became well known at Ilesha Grammar School in Nigeria, not only for her vibrant presence, singing, stage acting, and playwriting (talents she had also showcased at Peradeniya University while studying Botany and Zoology), but for something deeper: She had an open-door policy.

Two examples: 1. The sick came to her home on appointed weekends, where she coordinated medical care, feeding both patients and doctors. 2. Couples whose families disapproved of their relationships sought her guidance. She and Elian, along with their community, became the surrogate family for these couples: hosting weddings, baking cakes, photographing ceremonies, preparing food, pouring themselves into love.

She continued this ministry of love and hospitality everywhere, including Winnipeg. It was simply part of her DNA. When she committed, she went all in.

Winnipeg Years

In Winnipeg, her contributions were immense and wide-ranging:

Education: She created and led the extensive Science Fair program at St. Mary’s Academy, shaping generations of young women.

Community & Culture: She was dedicated to the Tamil Cultural Society of Manitoba (TCSM) and its Folklorama Pavilion for many many years and took her responsibilities very seriously.

Faith & Service: At St. Ignatius Church, she served in many ministries, most notably the Refugee Committee, through which she changed the life-trajectory of countless newcomers of all faiths.

Personal Acts of Love: She touched lives quietly and consistently: Sewing sweet, lovingly crafted quilts for newborns of her family, friend groups, volunteer circles, and even strangers; Patching and re-patching beloved children’s clothing just to prolong their joy; Cooking with generosity that could move a person to tears and certainly reminding them with every bite of her scrumptious food, how much they were loved, sending patties, rolls, lumprais, and countless goodies with her daughter’s family on many many trips; Feeding the hungry because she believed no one should eat alone or without love. She also used her love of cooking (among other things) to fundraise for Staniel, someone she did not even know but helped for 10 years, to go from being a ”born-in-a-refugee-camp in India” to “imminent-PR-holder” in Canada. Her greatest sadness during her illness was, of course, losing the freedom to cook for others starting sometime in 2024.

Final Days

Saratha passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, November 14, 2025, at Riverview at 7:25AM while holding Sareli and Thilini’s hands. She deeply appreciated the hospitality, service, and tremendous care she received from the Riverview staff during the nearly 40 hours she was their guest.

She was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in 2018. She is predeceased by her older brother Asaipillai, older sister Kamala, and younger brother Rabi. She is survived by: Older brother: Jeevanantham; Older sister: Thayalam; Younger brothers: Bala and Hari; Younger sisters: Yoges and Puvana. And she has many many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews, all of whom adored her. As well as countless godchildren who appreciated her spiritual commitment to their growth.

She inspired countless friends across Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, England, and Winnipeg, especially Rani, Chandra and Mylu, Felix and Lileena, Jeya, Marie, the Abeywardene family, the Alagacone family, the Sebastian family and Barbara. So many loved her dearly and will miss her bright energy, humour, and generosity.

She leaves behind to celebrate her legacy: her husband of 52 years: Elian; her daughter: Sareli; son-in-law: Ameen (aka Chuti); grandchildren: Devika (partner: Udhav), Kiren, Mohyna, Haryn and ‘adopted’ granddaughter: Thilini; son: Dileepan; daughter-in-law: Ana; grandchildren: Leo and Lucy; ‘adopted’ son: Christie and ‘adopted’ daughters: Sandra (‘adopted’ grandchild: Roman) and Viji (‘adopted’ granddaughters: Ragavi, Harine and Yathini). She has many ‘adopted’ children and grandchildren across the world, too numerous to list, but each one knows who they are. You mattered deeply to her and you were in her thoughts and prayers. You brought her joy. Stand tall and know you were counted among her beloved.

Continue Her Legacy

Please share your stories about her with each other at the celebration of life as well as in the Thomson In the Park online website. The legacy of how she touched your life (including photos and videos where appropriate) will be therapeutic for the ones who write as well as the ones who read them.

To all those touched by her giving spirit: continue her legacy. Let your thoughts and actions be congruent. Serve the vulnerable. Lift the broken or weighed down. Feed the hungry, in body and in spirit. In living this way, you carry her legacy forward, and the world holds a little more of the courage and tenderness she lived every day. She had an incredible sense of independence and ability to encourage anyone with a strong ‘you-can-do-it’ attitude. The world needs more Sarathas.

Scholarship in Her Memory

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the newly established Saratha Joseph Bursary Fund at St. Mary’s Academy (where she taught for 19 years) by the family, ensuring Saratha’s legacy continues to uplift future generations. Gifts can be made online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/13002 (#5 in the dropdown menu) or by contacting the SMA Foundation at 204-560-6924.

All donations will be matched by the DeRaj family.

Funeral Details

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025

Location: St. Mary’s Academy, 550 Wellington Crescent

Viewing: 11:30am-12:45pm in the Atrium

Funeral Mass: 1:00pm in Alumni Hall Auditorium (Fr. Michael)

Celebration of Life Reception to follow in Atrium and Cafeteria

Theme: Vibrance

Saratha loved purple, so please feel free to incorporate or wear something bright to celebrate her or come in traditional wear.