Mathew Varghese Malil

Mathew was born in Kothamangalam, Kerala on October 28th in the year 1930 to Aleyamma Varghese and Malil Mathula Varghese. He was the older sibling to Alemma and Aliyas. He attended Kothamangalam Mar Basil High School. He was the first family member to ever leave Kothamangalam to pursue further studies at Nagercoil Mission Nursing School where he graduated as the top student with distinction. He then moved to Bahrain and worked as a nurse where he earned enough to build his family home in Kerala, get his sister married, and funded his brother’s education. Then, he met the love of his life on Christmas Day 1960 and was married on February 5, 1961. He moved to work as a nurse in Kuwait and eventually settled in Texas with his family. In his career, over the course of 55 years, he worked as a nurse at Baylor Dallas, and as the charge nurse at the VA Medical Centers in Big Spring and Dallas. He worked at a dialysis center and built a home health care company with his friend, George Varughese, and finally retired at the extremely impressive age of 81.

In addition to his academic and vocational achievements, Mathew also had a passion for the arts. He enjoyed sketching and loved performing on the stage. He acted in various plays including Shakuntala, fundraising for his church, and later with Dallas Kairali Theaters. He also loved gardening and carpentry. He was an avid food enthusiast, and especially enjoyed his wife’s cooking. Mathew also found pleasure in watching movies. He would devour books about history and loved his National Geographic subscriptions! He was an incredibly adventurous spirit who was always ready to travel and learn about different cultures.

His faith was the most integral part of his life. Mathew hailed from a family rooted in the Syrian Orthodox faith and was a member of the Kothamangalam Mar Thoman Cheriapally. His devotion to Christ led him to establish churches in Bahrain, Kuwait, and his home church, the St. Ignatious Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral in Dallas. He was active with the church Sunday School - where he also directed many shows, served as the librarian, and enjoyed participating in the Holy Qurbana as the bell ringer for many decades.

He was a blessed patriarch, who received God’s favor, just like Abraham. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Thankamma, his children, Nancy and her husband Thomas, Sajan and his wife Ivy, and Shelley. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Shalini and her husband Sameer, Tiffany and her husband Manu, Anjali and her husband Philip, Ashiyana, Noah, and Miya. His great-grandchildren, Sanya, Zara, Liana, and Layla were lovingly doted on by their Muthacha and will dearly miss him. He was lovingly called Mathukutty, Pappa, Appachen, Veliappachen, Veliyachachan, and Muthacha by many beloved extended family members and close friends.