Sophiamma Mathew

Omana was born on April 13, 1943, in Alleppey, Kerala, India, the daughter of the late C.T. Joseph and Thankamma Joseph. After completing her nursing studies in Rajasthan, India, she dedicated her life to caring for others. She married her beloved husband, Mathai K. Mathew (Thampan), on January 7, 1973, and together they shared 52 years of marriage marked by love, perseverance, and faith.

In 1975, Omana courageously immigrated to the United States, sponsored by her sisters-in-law Mary Devadan and Annamma Mathew in Jersey City, NJ. She quickly became a U.S. citizen and later sponsored her husband to join her as they built their life together and pursued the American Dream.

Omana began her nursing career at Newark Hospital as a psychiatric nurse and later served at Jersey City Medical Center. She ultimately found her calling in the Surgical Intensive Care and Critical Care Units at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, where she dedicated 25 years of compassionate and skilled service to her patients and their families. In recognition of her outstanding commitment and professionalism, she was honored with the Clinical Excellence Award for Nursing in 1997.

She was a devoted member of St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Mount Olive, NJ, where her deep and abiding faith guided every aspect of her life. Her commitment to her church and her faith remained steadfast throughout her years.

Family was the center of Omana's life. She was a devoted wife, mother, Ammachi (grandmother), sister, and aunt. Her proudest moments were witnessing her son earn his medical degree and her daughter complete her master's degree in social work. She deeply cherished her four grandchildren, who brought immeasurable joy into her life.

Omana is survived by her husband, Mathai K. Mathew; son, Dr. Ajith K. (Jennifer) Mathew and their children Gavin, Ella, and Layla; daughter, Dena (Christopher) Mlodgenski and their son Liam. Her sisters, Annamma Abraham, Mary Joseph, Elizabeth Thomas; her brother-in-law, Rev. Yesudas (Kathy) Devadan; nieces and nephews, Dr. Phillip Devadan, Matthew Devadan, Paul Devadan, Sajith (Michelle) Mathew, and Sabu (Princy) Mathew, Rachel (Toby) Manuel, Anney (Sherry) John, Elizabeth (Aby) Korah, Annamma (Aji) Isaac, as well as multiple family members around the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents C.T. and Thankamma Joseph; brothers, C.J. Varghese and Thomas Roy; sister, Susamma Jacob; sisters-in-law, Mary Devadan and Annamma Mathew; and brother-in-law, Chacko Mathew.

Omana will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her boundless love for family, her generosity, and the countless lives she touched through her nursing and compassion. Her legacy will continue to live on in all who were blessed to know her.

Visiting hours will be held from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday October 10, 2025 at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home 26 Mule Road Toms River, NJ 08755. Family and friends are invited to meet at Lacey First United Methodist Church 203 Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731 on Saturday October 11, 2025 where a Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:00 am. Entombment will be private at St. Joseph Cemetery and Mausoleum 62 Cedar Grove Road Toms River, NJ 08753. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.quinn-hoppingfh.com.

The funeral service will be live streamed on Saturday October 11. 2025 at 10:00 am by visiting the weblink ( https://www.youtube.com/live/q9YFjofiVB4)