Role model at work:

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” and “do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance” (Col. 3:17,23-24)

We’ve always heard mom say that she’s doing the school work as the Lord’s ministry. YWCA Elementary School was functioning in a Kalyana mandapam with 350 students when she took over as Headmistress in 1977 and later grew to a Matriculation Higher Secondary School with more than 3000 students when she resigned in 1990. Being the first Matriculation School in Trichy district, she put in so much effort by visiting schools in Chennai and other places, framing syllabus for each classes, getting approvals from BHEL for new buildings, getting approval from government and much more. She dedicated most of her vacations for school work. Especially in 1982, the year the school was upgraded to a Matriculation school, she put in so much effort in spite of her pregnancy and the loss of her mother. YWCA’s motto is “By Love serve one another” and she put it in practice. Tributes from old students all over the world though she left the school 22 years ago stand as a testimony to the love and affection she had for her beloved students (The emails/poem sent by her students are also included in this tribute). As her children, she has set high standards for us in dedication, commitment and selfless service. Each day, we are being motivated to serve the Lord and the society in every possible means realizing that’s the sole purpose of God’s Creation.

Role model in prayer:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:30
As her name suggests, she was very devoted to the Lord and started everything with prayer. We always feel that we were blessed in life only because of her fervent prayers. Even in her last days when she was very weak she refused to pray while sitting or lying down and always knelt down for prayer. The most significant incident that reminds of her faith was when dad had a heart attack in 2001. She was upstairs and the moment she heard that dad was having chest pain her first reaction was that she reached out for the Bible and read Psalm 121. Only then she went downstairs to see him. The Lord honored her faith and extended his life. Every time we called her over phone, she used to remind us to “Lift our eyes to the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121). She loved the Lord with all her heart till her last breath. We will follow her example for the rest of our lives.

Role model in parenting:
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:28-29
Right from childhood, she disciplined us in spiritual as well as worldly life. She taught us to be independent and groomed us in the best possible way. Till her very end, she emphasized on our spiritual growth and instilled strong values in us. We feel very blessed to be her children. Getting over her loss seems to be very difficult for us but now we are raising our children exactly the way she wanted to do. That’ll be our best tribute for her.
Role model in sickness:
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer Romans 12: 12
Her life was exemplary in patience and perseverance. She put on a courageous fight when she was diagnosed with Kidney disease in Dec 2011. Though she had to undergo 4 surgeries for the fistula to undergo dialysis, she never complained. She would always pray and surrender herself to the Lord before entering the dialysis room and would continue to pray and recite Psalms till the entire process is over. Seeing her prayers, the nurses in the hospital came to her for their prayer needs. What a witness! Its very difficult to fill the void created by her demise. However, we know she’s in a better place, serving the Lord, which she always loved and more important she’s without pain and suffering. We thank the Lord for a wonderful life she had as a wife, a mother and grandmother and look forward to the day when we meet her in Heaven! Amen.

The world and its desires pass away, but whosoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)