Annamma Philip (Kunjunjamma)
May 6, 1939 (Kurianoor, Kerala, India) – January 2, 2022 (Thornhill, Ontario)
Visitation
Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 10:00 – 10:45 AM
St Gregorios Orthodox Church of Toronto
6890 Professional Ct, Mississauga, ON L4V 1X6
Funeral Mass
Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 11:15 AM
St Gregorios Orthodox Church of Toronto
6890 Professional Ct, Mississauga, ON L4V 1X6
Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
Section 25
Obituary
In loving memory of our dear Mom, Ammachi, Wife, Sister, Aunt and fiercely loyal friend to so many with a ready smile and compassion for all.
Annamma, or Anna to her nursing friends, started her nursing career at Baycrest Hospital, and after a few months, made the move to work at the Parry Sound District General Hospital in 1968. This is where she would establish the beginnings of her life with her family for the next 18 years.
Kind-hearted and generous, Annamma was a trailblazer and the first in her family to leave Kerala, India at age 17, in order to study nursing at the New Zealand Mission hospital in Punjab, India. She and her friend, Annamma Issac, worked at Sufderjung hospital and they both came together in 1967 to start a new life in Canada.
Annamma faced the harsh northern Ontario winters of Parry Sound in the 70s and 80s working as a registered nurse and later as an assistant head nurse. She set a solid foundation for her children and members of the Charummoottil and Thanathethu families along with her loving and devoted husband, Charummottil V. Philip (Johny). We would not be here today were it not for her selflessness and her tenacity to endure various hardships for the sake of her family.
The Philip family moved to Thornhill in 1986 where Annamma worked as a cardiac care unit nurse at the former NorFinch Hospital for 10 years. After providing care and compassion to all her patients, she retired in 1997 after 30 years of practicing nursing in Canada.
Active in the St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, whether it be singing in the choir, welcoming newcomers, or preparing delicious Kerala foods, Annamma was a devout follower of Christ which was evidenced in her humility, generosity and in the divine power to forgive. Annamma lived life to the fullest and enjoyed her family, trips to Kerala, family parties and evening walks with Johny contemplating the day after a cup of tea. She had the innate ability to sense one’s authenticity and to be the peacemaker of her family and extended families.
Annamma was predeceased by her parents, Mathai and Rahel Thomas and younger brother Mathukutty. Above all, she is cherished by her beloved husband, John C. Philip, son Roy (Mary) and children Rachel and Michael and daughter Ruby, (Navin) and children, Rhea, Neil and Michele. She will be fondly remembered by her devoted sister, Elizabeth Koshy (Thomas), brothers Joykutty and Raju and their families. She will always be remembered as the Ammachi who only wanted a hug and a kiss. We would also like to thank Tinu, Annamma’s caregiver, for making her last few months comfortable and peaceful.
Annamma is, and always will be, our courageous hero.
The funeral will be on January 6, 2022 at the St. Gregorios Orthodox Church of Toronto, with a walk-through visitation at 10am to pay respects. The burial will be a private family event which will take place immediately afterwards.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Annamma Philip Kunjunjamma 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Thornhill, Province: Ontario