Maria Thayil (Maria Madhu Chunkapura)

Maria was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. She was loved by all who knew her. She was born on November 5, 1985, and grew up in Mannanam. At the age of 15, she came to Houston, finished her studies at Kempner High School and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Houston, and received her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She married Madhu in 2010 and moved to Indiana, where they started their lives together. Their first baby girl, Eileen was born in 2014, after which they moved to Houston.

To her parents, she was the light of their life, and brought them so much happiness. To her brothers, she was a source of selfless inspiration. To her husband, she was his perfect soulmate and best friend, who remained calm and focused in her faith, with a pious perspective on life. To her daughters, she had the patience and unending love of Mother Mary, to whom she had a special devotion throughout her entire life. To her friends, she lived a humble and simple life. She knew not to fear the future, but to live in the present.

Maria is survived by her husband, Madhu Tomy and her two daughters, Eileen and Irene; her parents, Jose and Elizabeth Thayil; brother Dany Thayil, his wife Sheetal and their son, Philip; brother, Geo; her grandmother, Mary Vattathara; her parents-in-law, Chunkapura Tomy and Elsy Tomy; her extended family, Mohan Tomy; Mathews Tomy and Neethu Mathews; Manju and Jessel Xavier.