Saramma Mammen

We announce the death of Saramma Oommen Mammen on May 19, 2024. After a brief hospitalization, “Mama” spent her final days at Villa Lorena (“home”) surrounded by family, friends and caregivers. She passed peacefully in her sleep.

Saramma was born on March 23, 1933, in Trivandrum, Kerala, India, to Mr. T. K. Oommen and Mrs. Rachel Oommen. She has survived her late husband, Dr. P.M. Mammen (fondly known as “Mathukutty”), and her late sister, Mary Peter. Saramma is survived by her brother Thomas, her sons Anza and Anil, and her grandchildren Sarah, Joshua and Jacob.

After graduating from Women’s College Trivandrum in Kerala, Saramma married Mathukutty in 1962 and joined him in Arusha, Tanzania, where she too served as a schoolteacher. Following the birth of their first son, Anza, they emigrated to the U.S. in 1965 to pursue their graduate studies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Saramma received her master’s degree in library sciences from Villanova University. Following the birth of their second son, Anil, they moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania where Saramma worked as a research librarian at Rodale Press and Prevention Magazine. She went on to serve as the head librarian at Catasauqua Public Library. During the 1980s and 90s, she and Mathukutty owned and operated a motor lodge in Pennsylvania until their retirement in 1997.

Saramma (fondly referred to as “Annie”), graciously and joyfully opened her home to family members whom she cared for and mentored as they sought to settle in the U.S. from their native land of Kerala.

Saramma devoted her retirement to helping raise their grandchildren (who affectionately called her “Mama”) during Anza’s service in the U.S. Army. This unwavering commitment extended to accompanying them and caring for them for six years in Thailand and another six years at Fort Detrick, Maryland until finally settling in San Diego, California in 2012.

For Saramma, being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister were the greatest joys of her life. She took delight in cooking for the ones she loved, and her chicken curry was savored by countless family members and friends. Saramma’s love of animals began during childhood when she cared for seven cats in her home in Trivandrum and continued a similar passion of pampering six family dogs over the years.

Saramma lived by her Christian faith and values, from which she drew strength to serve with a kind heart and generous spirit; a steady source of inspiration to those around her. She would always find a reason to smile even in the face of adversity. Of calm and quiet demeanor, she shaped future generations for success, a matriarch of our time.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Saramma’s life on Thursday, July 25 at 1:00 pm Pacific time at Villa Lorena, 14740 Via Fiesta, San Diego, CA 92127.