Mariamma K Abraham

Mariamma grew up in a small village in Kerala, India. As a child, she helped her mom cook, take care of animals, and clean the house all while asking to attend school. Her mother supported her pursuit of education in rural India during the 1950’s, a period when girls' school attendance was uncommon. As a young woman, she traveled to Nagpur, India to pursue a nursing education. In 1971, at 26, she traveled across the world to wed her husband Joseph Abraham in Bellerose, New York. Her goal was to build a family and pursue a better life. After arriving in the US, she continued her nursing education. On March 9, 1975, Mariamma gave birth to her surviving daughter Betty Abraham Stowers of Scottsdale. She was a nurse in the pediatric unit at Queens General Hospital for 10 years. She also worked in various nursing homes while teaching nursing. On her 37th birthday in 1982 Mariamma became a naturalized US citizen and in that same year started as an Occupational Health Nurse at the United States Postal Service. Her life revolved around family, church, and work. She continued to advocate for education and fairness by speaking out and supporting the less fortunate. She was involved in community service through attendance at the church she was married in, Bellerose Assembly of God for over 25 years. In the early 2000’s she began an orphanage, Kadesh Bhavan, in which she supported orphans by giving them a Christian education, shelter, and food. During her and Joseph’s time in New York they resided in Brooklyn, Jamaica, and Mineola. In 2007, after 25 years, she retired from the United States Postal Service.

In 2010, Mariamma and Joseph moved to Arizona to reside with Betty and assist in raising their grandchild, Priya Jenai Ritzberg, who was born on April 22, 2004. Joseph and Mariamma lived with Priya and Betty until Joseph’s passing in 2015. They left an indelible imprint on Priya during that formative time.

In 2018 Mariamma was extremely proud to witness Betty walk down the aisle to be married to Dean A. Stowers, who she insisted from that point forward call her “mom.” It was a wonderful wedding of mixed Indian and American cultures.

Mariamma was a believer in Jesus Christ her entire life, and after Joseph passed, she would frequently speak of looking forward to joining him in heaven with Jesus. She spent much of her time reading and studying the Bible for her transition from this earth. She continued to enjoy her life on this earth living independently and proudly as the family matriarch. She spent time with her daughter, grandchild, and her new son, Dean, showing her love to them at each opportunity. She was very proud to see Priya graduate from the University of Arizona and commence studies at the University of Minnesota Pharmacy School. It was the culmination of her dream for herself and her family that started in 1971 when she moved across the world to marry Joseph.

Mariamma had a stubborn streak and strong, unshakeable faith, but she also had a sense of humor and a boisterous laugh, all of which will be greatly missed by those who knew her.

Mariamma was preceded in death by her parents, Mathen and Mariamma Philip, and is survived by her daughter Betty, grandchild Priya, son Dean, her brother Mathew Philip and his wife Ponnamma Mathew, and nieces, Jincy Mathew and Lincy Cherian.

Services open to the public will be held on February 27

commencing with visitation at 8:00 a.m. at Phoenix Memorial Park 200 W. Beardsley Rd, Phoenix AZ 85027.