Sr. Maria Noemi Vondananickal

“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Rom. 14:8 All our living and all our dying is in the Lord; we belong to the Lord; He is the owner of our life. God’s lordship over us does not cease at death. With this deep faith that she belongs to Him, Sr. Noemi bade farewell to this world and left for her eternal reward on 1st Sept. 2018 at Mariampur Convent, Kanpur. Born on 1st March 1938 at Ramapuram, Sr. Noemi was the 7th of nine children of late Mr. Mathew and Anna Vondananickal. She was christened as Brigit. She had 4 brothers and four sisters of whom one is alive. After completing her High school studies, Sr. Noemi got enrolled in the Nursing School of Holy Family Hospital Patna, Bihar. On completing the studies of General nursing and Midwifery, she joined as a staff nurse in Mariampur hospital Kanpur. She worked for 9 years as a staff nurse. During this period, hearing the call of God, she left the job and joined the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate at Kannur on 2nd Feb.1967. After completing the years of her formation she was professed on 31st Dec.1969 and received the religious name Sr. Maria Noemi. She made her final profession on 18th May 1975. Soon after the first profession, Sr. Noemi served in Nirmala Hospital, Calicut, for one year. She was then missioned to Mariampur Hospital to continue her healing ministry in North India. She witnessed to her sincere commitment and love for the Lord and His mission through this ministry among the suffering humanity. Sr. Noemi loved the health care profession and rendered her generous service in Mariampur Hospital Kanpur, St. Patrick’s Health Centre Jaunpur, Rosary Villa-Dispensary Bhowali and at Karunashraya hospital, Sultanpur. Sr. Noemi lived her life to the fullest. She was specially known for her devoted service to the women in labour and the new born. As a responsible, dutiful, hardworking and committed nurse, she was kind and sympathetic to the people whom she served. She kept good relationship with her co-workers, doctors, nurses and other employees. With her understanding, sympathy and kindness, she made a difference in the lives of those who came in contact with her, that the doctors, the staff and the patients fondly called her “Amma”. The happy memories of the dedicated life of our dear Sr. Noemi and the selfless service she rendered in North India will ever be remembered and treasured in the hearts of the Ursulines. The Community, family members, colleagues and friends remember Sr. Noemi as a very affectionate and cheerful companion. She was a good reader who found time to update herself through reading. She was simple in her life style; loved flowers and gardening. In June 2015, she was transferred from Sultanpur to Mariampur Convent. In July 2015 she became ill and was admitted in Mariampur Hospital with complain of Hypertension, pneumonia and breathing difficulty. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetic. From then on, she was very often admitted in the hospital with hyper hypoglycemia and weakness. Lastly, she was admitted with breathing difficulty on 24th Aug. 2018. She improved her condition and was discharged. On 1st Sept. 2018 she suddenly developed respiratory distress. Doctors and sisters were called and they rushed to her room, and made possible assistance to revive her, but she had a sudden respiratory failure and breathed her last. The funeral service took place on 2nd Sept. 2018. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Francis, the parish priest of St. Xavier’s Church Kanpur and the dean of the Kanpur region was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic Celebration along with five other priests of the Allahabad diocese. After the Holy Mass and prayers, the funeral procession moved to Lal Kurthy cemetery where the mortal remains of our dear sister was laid to rest along with other sisters who have gone before her. I express my sincere gratitude to Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly, the Bishop of Allahabad for his visits and prayers for Sr. Noemi and to Rev. Fr. Sebastian Francis for making himself available for us to offer this holy Eucharist and for his inspiring homily and encouraging presence with us. Let us pray that Sr. Noemi who went ahead of us to the heavenly shore intercede for us to our beloved Lord to bless her dear family, Congregation, and the entire world.