I wish I could have expressed my gratitude to Dr. Thomas when we ran into each other a few years ago at a park. 
As her anatomy student who did not speak English very well, I was a bit withdrawn and overwhelmed at that time. One winter day in 2008, she came to me, took my hands, and whispered, 'Sam, don't tell anyone, okay? I want to tell you,  you got the highest score on the midterm. Keep working hard, and come to my office any time if you have any questions. Shh..don't tell anyone, not even your wife.' 

I don't know if she ever realized how much that moment impacted me and made me feel supported. I should have told her when I saw her last time. 
I can only hope she could feel it when we hugged each other that day. I will always carry that moment with me.  Rest in peace.

Dr Thomas was a phenomenal teacher who sincerely cared that her students learned the anatomy and knew it deeply.  I feel honored she taught me.  Many blessings to her on her passing and to her family and friends.

My deepest sympathies to your family. 
She was an incredible teacher of anatomy at Bastyr where I attended medical school and I will warmly remember her and honor her beautiful memory as an amazing kind, generous, and brilliant soul. 
🕊️🦋🙏🏼
Artemis Morris, ND

She was an amazing teacher. One of the Best and one I will always remember from my time at Bastyr. I am so glad I got to sit in her class.

I am sorry for your loss. I remember enjoying Dr. Thomas’ exuberant energy and dedication to teaching my anatomy classes at Bastyr. I was just thinking of her the other day and often do when I’m using things she taught us. My prayers are with the family.

Dr. Mark Martzen, 
Professor & Chair Dept. Basic Sciences, Director of  The Center for Student Research-  Bastyr University

St. Thomas Orthodox Church,  Renton, WA 2/22/2025

Dr. Rebecca "Becky" Love
Gross Lab Anatomy Instructor-  Bastyr University

St. Thomas Orthodox Church,  Renton, WA 2/22/2025

Malayalam Funeral Devotional Songbook.

St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Renton, WA
2/22/2025

"May your living voice awake from the graves to Paradise your servants who slept in hope and trusted in Your mercy"

Ammamma's passing has left a huge impact on me . It has taken me days to fully process this loss. I knew Ammamma as a family friend from the time I was a little girl growing up in Winnipeg. She was a very close friend with my mother and I grew up with Reita, Shoba and Priyan.  I was so honoured to be part of her inner circle. An inner circle that was an  exclusive group of people who she held dear to her heart. If she loved you , she loved you completely,  I felt that love . Ammamma had a profound impact on  both my professional and personal life. When I began my career as a teacher, her sound advice had a depth that resonated  with me for years.  She understood that teaching was a craft that you had to continually  develop. Ammamma was also keenly aware of the many glass ceilings she broke and the impact of her legacy. " Each time you stand up in front of students ,"  she said " Sylvia, you must always be prepared.  It is your reputation." Over the years, we had powerful conversations about politics, culture and of course teaching.  How I loved hearing her honest and courageous opinions!  Ammamma called out racism when she saw it and believed in diversity and equality.  She was proud of her Malayalee roots and  was a pioneer in our community.   Rest in peace dear Ammamma. Until we meet  again.  I look forward to welcoming you back home to  Winnipeg.

Many thoughts and prayers to your family. She was a force to be reckoned with and had a major impact on many lives.

The news of her passing has left me with some large feelings.  She was my anatomy professor at Bastyr University, and it was easily the most difficult class I've ever taken (including my engineering undergraduate degree).  But I passed, and I learned a lot, and I truly enjoy being a doctor, thanks to her dedication to my learning.  I remember when I found out that she had Friday afternoon office hours and that I could just show up and ask questions.  She gave her time and answers very freely.  My spring quarter anatomy final was a USMLE shelf test.  I was so scared!  But it was easier than one of her tests.

I like to open a diagram book (Netter) and show patients what I'm talking about so that they can understand too.   Anatomy is important.  Her diligence made me a better doctor.

Dr. Thomas was an amazing force! She joined Bastyr in its first years, and she helped to build an excellent, rigorous basic sciences program for Bastyr students.  Aleyamma remained an integral part of Bastyr throughout her long career. She was well known for challenging her students, and her colleagues. She helped to launch the studies of so many excellent physicians. Aleyamma was also nurturing to those who could see that her challenges emanated from care. One of my memories is of her coming to my office periodically to share her orchid food with my plants. My orchids thrived, and I also benefited from her visits. I enjoyed her dry sense of humor and her wonderful laugh. As she leaves this world, she leaves us with the flowers of her amazing career and life.

Dear Dr. Thomas, 

You are and will always be such a ray of sunshine. I am incredibly grateful to have been able to be under your tutelage. I will never forget the advice you gave me about making mornings easier by “laughing yourself out of bed”. You were always recommending things that were positive, and unlike advice from others. The news of your passing was hard for me to hear because the world lost a powerful positive light but heaven gained another angel. I will never forget you and will hold you in my heart forever. Keep laughing Dr. Thomas, so you can help others get out of bed in the mornings like you helped me. 

Rest in Peace! 

With all my love 🫶🏾

Dear Dr. Thomas, 
Blessings upon blessing to you on this Journey. 
Thank you for being such an exceptional human being and dedicating your life to growth, love and inspiring others. 
This plane of time was blessed to have you in it. 
We humans you touched are better people for knowing you. 
Blessings to your Family at this time. 
Beautiful Light. 
Much Love and Respect, 
Kimberly

The Summer Day

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver

			~In Loving Memory of Aleyamma Thomas~ 
				August 10, 1939 ~ February 13, 2025
	  		 	  ~Heaven Holds a Star Jasmine ~

     Dr. Elizabeth H. Sims-Day (Student, Colleague, Friend)
					   February 22, 2025

Dear Dr. Aleyamma, 
I can't believe it has been over 10 years since I graduated. It felt like yesterday when I sat in your anatomy class, listening to your lectures and memorizing materials for the weekly quizzes. You were anything but an amazing teacher.  I miss you dearly! your awkward songs and jokes made the first year of naturopathic school that much more memorable. You are held a very special space in my memory and I miss you dearly! hugs!! Rest in peace. 
Love you so much!

Dear Dr. Thomas
The news of your transition was hard to hear. I, like so many others, am better in many ways because I knew you and was taught by you. I have been flooded with so many wonderful memories. Thank you. Thank you for accepting nothing less than my best. Thank you for your mentorship that pushed me to speak up for myself and fight for what I wanted and needed. Thank you for giving so much of yourself-the countless office hours just to talk, the homemade chai tea, lunch dates filled with wisdom and laughter...I hear yours as I type this. Thank you for my love of anatomy. I will think of you each time I smell a jasmine blossom. You are and will be forever missed.

In Loving Memory of Aleyamma Thomas
☆☆☆~Aug 10, 1939-Feb 13, 2025~ ☆☆☆

I left this to be hung in remembrance on the interactive wishing  tree in "The Garden of Vows" today, which was by far my favorite display this year at The Northwest Flower & Garden Show.

This show garden also featured a glass greenhouse with a moon gate framing a peaceful ceremonial space inhabited by live doves 🕊,  lemon trees 🍋 and white candles 🕯.  It felt like a sacred place to share spirit with our immortal beloved.

What a fantastic teacher Dr. Thomas was.  She was so smart and engaging, I always enjoyed her classes.  She was hilarious, often cracking us up during her lessons.  I'll never forget her teaching us anatomy with her little projector sheets and markers... "in purple color we have..."  She will be remembered  by myself so many of her students.  Rest in peace Dr. Thomas <3

Sending love and light to Aleyamma’s soul journey home to the heart of God where she will be welcomed warmly! 🦋

I had the privilege of TAing for Aleyamma and getting to know her precious heart up close. Her dedication to her students, colleagues and Nauturopathic Medicine was unparalleled. Thank you for all you did for all of us Dr. Thomas 🙏🏼

Wishing your family comfort during this difficult time.

Much love,
Eden 
💫💜🕊️💜🕊️💫

I am so sorry to hear of Aleyamma's passing. She was an amazing professor and so caring and thoughtful. I went to her office hours many times in 1996/7. As I progressed through medical school, she would always remember me when passing in the hallways and we would share some kind words or even just a smile. For those of us who took the time to get to know her and appreciate her, we wanted to do our best and make her proud. She was an outstanding human being.

Thank you for your passion and expertise.  It has helped me help so many other people.

Dr Thomas was an amazing teacher and had an immense amount of knowledge. It was an honor to have had her as my professor.  She deeply cared for her students and although I was afraid at times to approach her, because she was so stern, she was truly a loving person. 

You will be missed by many but may you continue to shine bright and rest in peace.  ❤️

My very best wishes to her family.  I have so many memories of Aleyamma, all surrounded by her passion for anatomy.  She cared deeply and set a very high bar for her students and was not shy about her expectations, which made us study all the more.  I count myself lucky for having been one of her students.  With love, Tina Beaudoin

Thankful for her passion, wit and rigid teaching style. She wanted her students to excel and was stern and kind. I am thankful that she would sing over us before exams. I still hear her voice and am thankful she had such high standards. I send love and prayers to her family and I know I will see her again.

Knowing Aleyamma is one of my fondest memories of my years at Bastyr
A few of her quirky phrases have become a part of my lexicon so I think of her every time I repeat one of them 
I will remember her for her beautiful smile and her ready laughter 
❤️

Oh my heart, Dr. Thomas,

I want to thank you so much for the quality of learning you instilled and the expectations you set for our high level of performance. Within in the tough exterior you were quick to laugh and also quick to help with learning. You were one of my favorite teachers at Bastyr in the basic sciences department. Your legacy and the students that have gone on to touch so many through health is vast. 
Well done Madam, well done. Rest in power and peace and may your feisty soul sore. Warmth and love to you and your family. A deep bow and gratitude. 

Love, 

Lisa Price

Dr. Aleyamma Thomas was an amazing teacher and friend. She helped build me into the physician I am today. Her voice rings in my head with anatomy knowledge and rings in my heart and soul with memories of her kind words, actions and her singing before tests to try and alleviate our anxiety. She did a very kind act for me once and made me promise never to tell anyone because she didn’t want her tough exterior to be questioned. I am staying true to the promise but want the world to know she had a beautiful kindness of spirit. The world has a bit less color to it now that she is not among us. I hope to see you again some day Aleyamma. 
Love,
Dr. Karen Yorgan

Dear Aleyamma: You were a force of nature. Strong, opinionated but you also were quick to laugh. I and many others will miss your spirit, your company and your strong attitude in life. Rest in peace dear soul.

Dr. Thomas appeared so stern and her test were always nerve-wracking in that first year when we were still adjusting to  Bastyr. She was a unique human being with her quirky jokes and laughter, she had a tender soul and certainly had our best interest at heart. She always tried to do her best so that we could be our best for patients. Farewell Aleyama, and thank you for everything you taught us.

Sending so much love. And appreciation. She was a beautiful light at Bastyr University. I feel blessed that I had the chance to receive her teachings, her kindness, her incredible presence, and her love that she gave to all she encountered through her teachings. I remember the feel of her touch as she taught me how to palpate better: cold, yet warming, firm yet loving, full of knowledge and understanding. Although med school can be rigorous and tiresome and hard, she was always there to lift me up. All of us up. Urging me to take the time and care I needed for myself. A gentle yet fierce beautiful elegant bird as she moved through campus. With love and gratitude that I got to experience life with her in this earthly realm.

Our loving condolences to Dr. Thomas' family at this sad time. Her colleagues and students have posted many tributes and condolences on Facebook in Bastyr University's Alumni  and Naturopathic Physicians groups. Here is mine:

Dr. Aleyamma gave passionately of her expertise, time, mind, heart and soul for Bastyr students for decades. She loved students (though sternly). 

Her presence - her commitment to making natural medicine the best it could be - and her teaching were integral to building Bastyr University. And a generation of naturopathic physicians and other professionals. 

As Elizabeth's ( Sims - Day) beautiful tribute ❤️illustrates she had an endearing, tender, artistic side. I discovered this as we worked together. Melting at a kind word. A sudden softening, a light in her sometimes fierce eyes.

In the arms of the angels, fly free dear Aleyamma...much love from this community accompanies you along the way. 
               💚🍃🪽🙏🏽🪷🙏🏾🪽💚🍃

My deepest condolences on your loss. I remember her every day especially when I have to think of a specific anatomy question..lol. She was a tough teacher but she taught me to study differently and really learn my anatomy. I will forever remember her fondly and with a tinge of fear around tests..lol.

Thank you Dr Thomas you are a force and may your legacy continue through all of us you have taught . I appreciate you for all the hours you poured into me even after class thank you 🙏🏿 I appreciate you so much . Your energy was always about living life and you taught me more than anatomy which I’ve implemented into my medical practice now . Thank you 🙏🏿 until we meet again on the other side

Best spirited anatomy teacher ever! So thankful for your animated way of bringing so much fun to the classroom:) 
You will be missed and so thankful you were my teacher. 
Hannah Gordon, Bastyr class of 2015

I will never forget our first of many finals in clinical skills class.  We were all waiting in the hallway for our turn and chatting nervously.  She came out and seemed to be in a mood when she "shushed" us, looking very cross.  Then she called my partner and me for our turn.  I tried to break the ice by complementing how nicely her magenta sweater matched her magenta sneakers.  She was kind and said, "thank you," but still seemed grumpy.  
During our time with her, my partner and I were very nervous, fumbling through our physical exam.  I had a red sports bra with red sneakers on.  Dr. Thomas turned to me and said, "I like how your bra matches your shoes.  It's important on a first date to match your bra with your shoes.  Remember that."  My partner and I just looked at each other in astonishment before all three of us burst out in laughter.  Best final ever!  
I hand the privilege to work alongside her in the gross lab too as one of the TAs.  We were always laughing about something.  She really was one of my favorite professors.  This world has lost a beautiful soul.  <3

The first time I met her was in a clinical skills class.  She saw I was struggling with anxiety during a testing period so she decided that she should play with my curly hair.  “I am so distracted by these curls, so lucky to be born with these” is what she said.  I let out a huge chuckle and then wasn’t anxious anymore.  When she saw I was struggling she would play with a curl.  When I was pregnant she was so helpful and full of love for a unborn being and a girl she barely knew!  She would come visit me at my after school job and we would just laugh a lot.  I hope she is having fun up there and when she is ready to come back- we will alll see her again in some form!  I am sorry for the family and community’s loss.

One of my all time favorite human beings- professor of anatomy during medical school at Bastyr University. More dear to me than words could possibly sufficiently express. We connected at a soul-to-soul, heart-to-heart level. She once handed me a very fragrant white jasmine blossom, which was the ONE flower that had bloomed unexpectedly, out of season, in her office on the teaching campus (Kenmore, WA). This was many, many moons ago- I kept that tiny, but immense, treasured token of her affection as a symbol of love, light and hope. It became our thing. She dropped another floweret in the palm of my hand some time later during that same era of shit-and-chaos, at a particularly low point in my life...when I was a stressed-out-of-my-mind, as depleted as can be, medical student. Her smile was genuine, her gaze was intense (daunting to some, not me), and her laughter was absolutely unforgettable. Truly one of an incredible kind. She left an indelible impression etched at the very center-most core of my heart forever and always. Wish I could walk once more with her along the Burke Gilman Trail in Bothell, WA- which is the last place I ever saw her in this earthly realm, with the magically dappled disco-ball pattern light vs. dark sunshine streaming gloriously through the leaves- complementing that quintessential mischievous light sparkling in her eyes. I will look for her again, in nature, I will find her in all things bright and beautiful, all things wise and wonderful. She has flown, she deserves the feathers, she definitely earned her wings. I imagine that she's wearing them very well! By the way...I still have both of those delicately dried, perfectly preserved jasmine flowers stored as keepsakes for all these years in a little painted cedar-wood box depicting ruby-throated hummingbirds on the hinged lid. 

~Dr. Elizabeth H. Sims-Day (Lake Forest Park, WA)

OBITUARIO

Aleyamma Parankamannil Thomas

10 agosto, 1939 – 13 febrero, 2025

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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