Muniyamma Vodoor

Muniyamma Vodoor was born in 1919, in Veeranathur, a small village in Tamilnadu, India. She married Narasimha Reddy in 1939, and had her first of six children in 1940. Her beloved daughter Murali was followed by Surendra, Mohan, Janani, Rajini, and Ramesh.

She was a true matriarch, regal in her bearing, powerful of voice, and with a razor sharp wit. In her hands she held the power of life, whether it was tending to the plants in her garden or the many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren she cradled and cooed to. But if you dared to reach into the pot of curry for a piece of bone marrow before your turn, those same hands could deliver a swift rebuke!

Her life’s journey took her through two world wars, two pandemics, and two continents. Muniyamma’s courage and conviction buoyed her and her family through every storm, and the clarity of her vision guided all of them to land on bountiful shores, and to find the life she dreamed into existence for them.

Her life spanned over a hundred years, though there is some disagreement on exactly how much over a hundred years! Regardless of that detail, a century could barely contain her fierce personality, boisterous laughter, and tremendous heart.

As per her wishes, her ashes will be joined with her husband’s at long last, and released to the ocean at Rameswaram, India.

She will be deeply missed, but shall never truly be gone.