Obituary of Thankamma Korah

In Loving Memory of Thankamma Korah

Thankamma Korah, with the maiden name Thankamma Thomas, was born on August 10, 1946, in Konni, Kerala, India, to Achamma and Thomas Geevarghese. Her life began with both love and loss, when her mother passed shortly after her birth. She was lovingly raised by her maternal grandparents in Melute Kerakarra House in Konni, where she was affectionately known as “Kunjupodi.”

From an early age, Thankamma carried herself with quiet resilience. She grew up with a gentle spirit and a deep sense of kindness, while also developing a remarkable independence that would shape the course of her life. She shared her childhood with her step-siblings, Ponnamma, Baby, Johnny, and Ammini, forming bonds that remained meaningful throughout her life.

At the tender age of 17 years old, Thankamma set out to Delhi to pursue a nursing career — answering a calling rooted in care and compassion. She worked at St. Stephen’s Hospital, where she began what would become a lifelong dedication to serving others. Her journey then took her to Zambia, where she continued her nursing work with the same commitment and grace.

After returning to Kerala, she married Korah K. Korah in 1975, beginning a partnership grounded in faith, service, and family. Soon after, she made the courageous decision to move to the United States on her own, settling in Staten Island and continuing her work as a nurse while living with her uncle, M.K. Mathai.

In those early years, Thankamma’s faith remained central to her life. She would travel to Manhattan for church services, and through her devotion, a small community began to take shape. After her husband joined her, they moved to Staten Island, where that small gathering of families grew into what would later become St. George Church on Cedar Grove Avenue. Her presence and contributions were part of its very foundation.

She was deeply involved in the church and community, especially as a committee member for the Martha Mariam Samajam Diocesan Counsel during the early years of the church. Together, she and Korah played an integral role in the Malayalee Association, FACCANO, Ecumenical society, and organizing diocesan meetings and family conferences. Her home was always open, and her cooking was a true expression of her love. She warmly hosted Catholica Bhavas, Thirumenis, Achens, and countless guests, making everyone feel welcomed and cared for.

To many, she was more than a friend or community member. She was like a second mother. She nurtured not only her own family, but also the broader Malayalee community, always going above and beyond to recreate a sense of home far away from Kerala. Her green thumb and her garden was an expression of her generosity, which was shared throughout the community. 

Thankamma and Korah built a loving home together, welcoming their sons, Joby in 1977 and Bobby in 1979. Alongside raising her family, she continued her nursing career, serving in various institutions and eventually retiring from Coney Island Hospital. 

Her greatest joy was her family. She adored her grandchildren and devoted herself to them, often spending months at a time helping care for them in their earliest years. She was also a remarkable teacher in her own right. As a grandmother, she patiently taught Math and English with a natural ease, as if she had been born to teach. Her patience was her strength, her love was a constant, and her warm embrace is something that will be deeply missed.

Thankamma’s life was one of quiet strength, selfless service, and enduring love. She built a legacy not through grand gestures, but through the countless lives she touched with her kindness, faith, and unwavering devotion to others. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.