Bendur Mangalore,27July 2018: Sr Mary Raymond of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, nee Thresiamma Punnaykkal of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, belonging to Mangalore Province, spending most of her life at Bethany Mother House, passed away on Friday 27th July at 7.15 am, at the age of 87, in the 56th year of her Religious life, at Fr Muller’s Medical College and Hospital, Kankanady. Her funeral rites will be held on 28.07.2018 at 10.30 am at Bethany Mother House Chapel, Mangalore.
Sr Raymond hails from Kozhuvanal, Kottayam dist. In the Diocese of Palai She is the 4thamong the 4 children of late Mr Mathew and Mrs Mariamma. She was born on 6th January 1931.
Sr Raymond came to Bethany in the year 1952. In the later years of Fr Founder’s life she served him lovingly and devotedly. As a reward to her generous services Fr Founder, at her request, asked to Superior General Mother Macrina to receive her in the Congregation though she did not have sufficient education and gave her his own name Raymond. She joined the Congregation in the year 1960. After her first Profession in 1963, she rendered her service for 37 years taking care of the guests who visited the Mother house. Prior to it, she has spent 14 years at Rosa Mystica, 4 years in Kulshekar, one year at Bajpe and 37 years at Bethany Mother house being in charge of the parlor.
Sr Raymond was a simple, jovial, and compassionate person, recognizing all and had special concern and love for all the sisters and outsiders, a true face of Bethany Spirituality being hospitable to all. The persons visiting the Motherhouse have found in her a person filled with compassion. She has preached the good news by her life example and has given Jesus to all who visited Bethany Motherhouse. Even in her ailment she would inquire about others. She took ill on 12th July and was admitted to the hospital. She breathed her last today, 27th at 7.15 a.m. in the presence of Sr Lillis, the asst. Superior General, Sr Leena Pereira, the Superior of the community, May her soul rest in peace.
P.S. Her mortal remains will be kept in the mobile morgue and will be available for viewing at the Bethany Motherhouse Chapel all the time.
Sr Lillis BS
Assistant Superior General