Aleyamma Thomas

She completed her Nursing School education from Canadian Mission Hospital in Indore, India.

Soon after getting her degree she was introduced to and married P. V. Thomas on January 21, 1965. Her husband of 57 years.

After the marriage they moved to New Delhi where she worked as a nurse. During this time, she gave birth to her children Gigi and Aby.

Seeking a better life for her family, she had the opportunity to move to the United States. On May 18, 1972, she came to the United States looking for a nursing job and quickly found an opportunity with Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Later that year, her husband joined her and her two children soon followed. She would continue her 29-year nursing career at Parkland Hospital until 2001 when she retired to spend time with her grandchildren.

Thus she had paved the road for her family, her siblings and many generations in the United States.

As the God fearing person she had grown up to be, she and her husband immediately became involved in church activities in various churches in Dallas. She, her husband and a handful of Malayalee families began prayer group meetings which later led to the establishment of a MarThoma Church in Dallas and has now grown to the 5 MarThoma Parishes in DFW today. She was an active member in the church and various church organizations and activities. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, spending time with her siblings and gardening. Several of the curry leaf plants across DFW can surely be traced back to her garden.

She had heart for servitude, and this was evident in her hospitality for several Thirumeni’s when they visited and several resident Achen’s when they first moved to Dallas. She was known to take food to others, visit the sick and volunteer at church and other events. Her service also reached those in India. Some of these works included helping build the Cumbummettu MarThoma Church and building homes in India for the homeless.

Aleyamma Thomas is survived by her husband, P.V. Thomas. Children Gigi Jacob, Aby Thomas and his wife Betty, her grandchildren Alex Jacob and his wife Mary, Brandon Jacob, Zachary Thomas and Lauren Thomas.

She is also survived by her siblings, P.T. Philip and wife, P.T. Zachariah and wife, Rachel Kurian and husband, P.T. Mathew and wife, Mariamma Cherian and husband and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her generosity and kindness throughout her life inspire us to carry on her legacy.