Lata Karukappally in memory of Mariamma Pillai | NRI

New York ∙ Aunty will not speak anymore Molly … Aunty is getting ready to go. An hour before Mariamma Aunty died, a call came from Auntie’s phone. Seeing Aunty’s number, he hurriedly picked up the phone and asked without any introduction: “Did Aunty start talking?” But Maruthalakkal was not Aunty, Pillai was Chettan. When he got the reply “Mole is not Aunty, he is Pillachettan”. As expected, Pillai Chettan’s words continued, “Aunty will not speak anymore, Molly, Aunty is ready to go”. The words stuck in Pillai’s throat to respond to his continued words.

I did not know what to say to Pillachetta. After leaving the phone, I could only cry for a while. I still can not comprehend this news. She later informed her husband Paul Karukappally. Paul immediately informed his close friends in Chicago, Job Mathews and George Panicker. He was advised to reach the hospital as soon as possible. By the time Jaibu arrived, it was all over. But George Panicker, who arrived in the room 10 minutes before he died, was able to get one last look at Auntie. At the time of his death, George was alone with his son and children.

Lata Paul, wife of former Focana president and Kerala Times MD Paul Karukappilly, wanted to talk and say goodbye before Mariamma Pillai died. The relationship between them was so intertwined. If it was close, one could go and see it in person. Aunty used to call Paul Karukappilly the baby of New York. Aunty had said that she would definitely come to her daughter Lipi’s wedding and had bought a gift for her. But it could not.

Aunty was in the hospital at the time of the wedding. The death occurred on the second day after that. He still can not believe that Aunty is dead. The man with so much energy suddenly said goodbye one day unexpectedly. The number of people who helped Auntie is endless. He has even helped people stay in their own homes. He has never seen her speak to anyone except with love. Pillai Chettan picked up the phone when he called two days before his death. Pillai Chettan said that he is conscious but he can not talk to Aunty ..

He became close with Aunty in connection with the Kerala Convention of 2001. Lata Paul said that since then they have been very close and Mariamma Pillai and her family have seen her as a sister. Sometimes it can be an experience of maternal love when Auntie falls in love. Mariamma Pillai has a loving and respectful relationship with her mother and an older sister. That’s why Mariamma seemed to call me Auntie.

Their personal relationship with Mariamma Pillai is indescribable. Lata Paul added that she has never seen anyone else who is so selfless and selfless in helping others. Mariamma Aunty was a helping hand to everyone. I wish eternal peace to Aunty’s soul. May God help Auntie’s family to bear this separation. “Aunty will always live in the minds of thousands, even if she dies,” Paul Karukappallil and Lata Paul said in a message commemorating Mariamma Pillai.

When Mariamma Pillai was the President of Focana, they went to Delhi to attend an expatriate conference and stayed together for three or four days. Mariamma Aunty and her husband Pillai Chettan have come and stayed at their house after accepting their hospitality many times. They have also visited their home several times.

Aunty had shown good courage throughout her illness. It was said that it should happen according to the will of God. There was a lot of talk during the first time I was being treated for breast cancer. We would talk about our daughter’s getting married while she was recovering from chemo, radiation and subsequent surgery. “I only have one more wedding, and I’ll come for it anyway.” Aunty once said. But her wedding was last May. Tickets were booked for the wedding but were changed three times due to illness. When it was finally time, Auntie could not come. At the same time, there were no significant health problems until two months ago, but it happened very quickly. Mariamma Aunty’s tireless body was paralyzed when she was diagnosed with cancer again.

When he called last month, he said he was feeling unwell and was therefore going for a checkup. No problem, he told me to go boldly. But when I went for a checkup and did a biopsy, it was found to be positive again. But Auntie still did not give up. I entrust everything to God and tell him that it will happen as God has decreed. They later said they would come to their daughter’s wedding. It was reported that George Panicker of Chicago would be accompanying him. The ticket was booked but was later canceled. For the past 10 days Aunty has been in a state of utter paralysis and has finally left everyone.

The chain was given by George Panicker as a wedding present to Aunty’s daughter. Aunty and Pillai had bought dresses to wear when they came to the wedding. Aunty had taken the same color sari from the group taken by all the relatives. Aunty said I could buy it when I came but it didn’t happen. That sari is still in my box. Auntie’s separation happened as if she was right that God would call good people soon. Aunty was so good-natured.