Sr. Michael Ann

Sr. Michael Ann Vandakathil RIP: 26.10.2015 “ I have fought the good fight, I have finishes the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness with the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me”. (2 Tim. 4;7.8) Our dear Sister Michael Ann has left us when we least expected. She was summoned by the Lord at 00.45 on 26th October 2015, in Mariampur Hospital, Kanpur, leaving behind unforgettable memories of her life with us UMIs.. Sr. Michael Ann was born on 5th August 1948, the 3rd of 8 children of Michael Vandakatil and Teresiamma, at Champakulam, Diocese of Changanacherry, Kerala. Her baptismal name was Theresia. Her family was traditionally Catholic, her parents God fearing persons. There were 5 boys and 3 girls in the family. Her first cousin, Sr. Rani Jose is also a UMI and one of her nieces, Anjaly, is a 2nd-year Novice of our Vimala Province. After completing her basic studies, she joined our Congregation, at Kannur, on 20th June 1971. She made her first Profession on 30th May 1974 and the final Profession on 24th April 1979. She successfully completed a course in Typewriting at Cannanore and in Accounting at Bangalore. She had also obtained a B.Com degree from the University of Mysore. Her dedicated and laudable service was rendered in various places. In India: at Nirmala Convent, Kathgodam, St. Josepf Convent, Kanpur, Ursuline Convent, Bangalore and at Mary Immaculate Convent, Bondel, Mangalore. Everywhere she was posted, she served with generosity and diligently, in various capacities, especially in administration and accounting. Sister Michael Ann rendered her services at our Mother-house at Piacenza, Italy and at the Generalate in Rome, for 6 years, where she was in her capacity as General Councillor. She was in Italy from 1984 to 2004. After her return to India, she was appointed animator of the Community of St. Joseph’s Convent, Chackeri, Kanpur. In 2005, she opted for the foreign Mission and was at Matiri, in Kenya, as a Treasure of St. Orsola Hospital. While still in Kenya, in 2009, she suffered from TB Meningitis and returned to India for treatment. She regained her health and worked at Mariampur Hospital for 6 months. In 2009, she joined the Community of Nirmala Hospital, Assam, as treasurer. Sister Michael Ann was a woman of prayer, of deep faith, commitment and self-sacrificing, hard-working too. Her generosity and zeal for mission were shown in her readiness to serve in a foreign land. Hers was a loving nature, compassionate towards the poor and the sick, friendly, sociable and jovial/humorous, which brought ease and laughter to the community and to the people she met. She was diabetic, her sickness chronic and severe which had affected her eyesight. Of late, she had gone to Kerala for special treatment. While in Kerala, she developed a disorder in which the CSF (cerebro - spinal fluid) was leaking through her nose (CSF rhino-scleroma) She quickly returned to her community in Assam. Accompanied by Sr. Hazel, she went to Kanpur, on 21st October. She looked quite normal; she was happy to meet many Sisters who had come for Sr. Baptista’s funeral . On the 22nd, she went to Regency Hospital to consult the neurosurgeon and the operation was fixed. The same night she complained of severe headache and was admitted to our Mariampur Hospital for treatment. Towards morning, on the 23rd, she became very restless and soon lost consciousness. The doctor diagnosed that she was suffering from septic meningitis. She was transferred to Regency Hospital where she was admitted in the ICU and put on ventilator. As her condition was worsening her dear ones were informed and they rushed to reach Kanpur to meet her. The Doctors gave no hope of recovery in spite of the best treatment. As her end was nearing, she was brought back to Mariampur Hospital - all arrangements made to look after her. Her dear ones had come and were around her along with our Sisters when Sister Michael Ann breathed her last – on 26th October at 00.45 am. Her sudden, unexpected death plunged us into shock and sorrow. The funeral service took place on the same day, 26th October, at 15.00 pm Rev. Father Eugene Mascarenhas, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church was the main celebrant along with other Priests of the Allahabad Diocese Sister Michael Ann is buried in the Cemetery Lal Kurthy – along side the other Ursulines who have already gone to Heaven. Dear Sister Michael Ann, we remember your gentle and loving nature, your dedicated service to our Congregation, to the Church in India, in Italy and in Kenya and to the world at large. We are grateful to you, dear Sister Michael Ann, for your role in the growth of our Ursuline family. May God reward you.   ‎