Mrs. Maria (Oommen) Joseph

Maria (formerly known as Mariamma Oommen) was born to the late K.C. and Chinamma Oommen, January 14, 1939, in Kerala, India. Her family name was Kattancheril. At the age of 17, she went to nursing school by migrating to Bombay, India. Her career as a nurse took her to the Middle East and eventually to the U.S. She married the love of her life, Joseph Kurian (our Achachan), on May 9, 1968.

For the betterment of their daughters’ futures, our parents made the ultimate sacrifice to leave their loved ones and home and migrated to the US. The initial years were a struggle and our parents, encouraged with the love for each other and for their girls, successfully built a loving home in their adopted country. Life was not easy, but Amma was the constant who kept the family moving forward. She pursued and completed her BSN degree while working full time and taking care of her family. Her love of cooking and the pride she took in feeding us was evident throughout our lives (take-out was very rare in our home). She beamed when our Achachan would respond in appreciation to her many dishes.

Amma is survived by her husband of almost 55 years, Joseph Kurian (Peediakkal). She is also survived by daughter Elizabeth Joseph (Houston) and granddaughter Ariyanna; daughter, Dr. Alice Tholany (Houston), son-in-law, Dr. Justin Tholany, grandchildren, Anjali, Luke, and Mark; daughter, Mary Miller (Austin), son-in-law, Scott Miller, and grandchildren Mia and Matthew; and her second ball of fur, ‘Tipu’.

Amma is predeceased by her parents and her two brothers and her loving first ball of fur, ‘Pappu’.

Even in her waning days, she would check on the comfort of her family making sure we were fed and most importantly Achachan was taken care of. We think of our Amma now in heaven with her loved ones, playing a mean game of Rummy. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to be with her and spend time individually with Amma as she made her final migration to Heaven. Her pains are behind her, and each of her daughters and grandchildren is her living legacy. The examples she has set for us, and a life well lived provides us with warmth, encouragement and comfort as we face a future without our Amma.

A visitation will be held Monday, April 3, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet St, Bellaire, Texas. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will commence at 7:00 PM at Earthman Bellaire. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10am, Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbellaire.com for the Joseph family.

Maria also went by these names: Molly Joseph and her family name is Kattancheril

A poem for Ammachi from her granddaughter Ariyanna:

You left this life with peace and no strife, yet everything was better when you were still in our lives. Though we will be strong and take care of ourselves nothing can compare for how you took care of us. You lived a life that was somewhat full of angst, but you never let it show which shocked all of us. To the ordinary eye one may find your story quite plain but we know the meaning of all the hurt and pain. Still, you raised three extraordinary daughters with our wonderful Appachan, and soon took care of your six grandchildren. With love and sweets you made our lives complete, and even though you may have had your dramatic moments we will always know you as the heroic woman. So, now it is time to lay down to rest for your job is done and we wish you the best. Best wishing to your next life for it will be grand with the love of your family following you to the next.