Aleyamma Mathew

Aleyamma Mathew, affectionately known as Santhamma by her family and friends, was born on November 25, 1952 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Thundil Mathai Thomas, Thundyil Puthen Veedu House Thatta, Kerala. She was the eldest of her family and was lovingly raised alongside her four siblings. After completing her high school diploma in 1968, she pursued a two year diploma course in Malayalam literature to become a Malayalam teacher. God, however, had a different plan and through the advice of a local priest she left home in 1971 to enroll in a nursing school in Pushpagiri Hospital Thiruvalla, Kerala. Upon completing her nursing degree, she moved to Florida in February 1975, (at the age of 22 years,) to pursue a nursing career.

Although she was raised in the Catholic tradition, her faith was challenged by a family friend who gave her a bible and encouraged her to read the New Testament for herself. Eagerly diving into the Word of God for the next six months, she quickly realized the importance of having a personal relationship with the Lord. Without hesitation, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. From then on, she dedicated her life to seeking Him and doing His will. In 1977, she was baptized and maintained regular fellowship with the local baptistBaptist church in Florida.

In 1979 she moved to New York and began sincerely praying for a husband who would support and encourage her moving forward in her walk with Christ. On August 4th, 1980 she married Abraham Mathew (Raju) from Vadasserikara, Kerala. They began their married life in Bronx, New York in January 1981. As the eldest child in both of their families, they were united in their desire and responsibility to support their siblings in immigrating to the United States.

Aleyamma and Abraham were blessed with three children, Sherry, Shawn and Sheena. They lived in New York for 18 years maintaining fellowship with believers in Bronx and Rockland County. In 1998, the family moved to Houston, Texas and lived there for 20 years. After their retirement in 2018, they moved to Dallas to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Throughout her life she was dedicated to her faith and love of the Lord. She was committed to raising her children in the ways of God and was instrumental in teaching them to love the Lord and grow in their relationship in Christ. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and the Lord extended her life for another eight blessed years where she was able to continue to witness His goodness and faithfulness. Even during her recent struggles with her cancer recurrence, she maintained her strong faith in the Lord and knew her Savior was with her every step of the way.

On August 12, 2023, Aleyamma was promoted to glory. She is survived by her husband Abraham, her daughter Sherry and husband Subi and their children Gabriel and Evelyn, her son Shawn and his wife Ashley and children Luke, Levi and Lydia and her daughter Sheena. She is also survived by her siblings Sister Karunniya, Saramma, Jose and Sicily, along with their spouses and children. She will be remembered for her dedication to her faith and reliance on the Lord. Her family eagerly awaits the day when they will be united with her again.