Susamma J. Mathew

     Susamma J. Mathew, who was born on November 15, 1953 in Kozhencherry, India, passed away at the age of 62 on March 21, 2016 at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa.

    Susamma moved to Iowa in May of 1985 with her family from India. During her time in India, she had trained and worked as a pharmacist but focused on her family after arriving in Iowa. She loved gardening and was able to make anything grow; a true testament to her nurturing and loving nature. Susamma had a quiet strength. She was not the type of person to seek attention; instead she would make sure everyone else’s plate was full before her own. Her calming and disarming demeanor was a source of strength for the family along with her ability to empathize and show compassion. Susamma always had her priorities in order with putting her family first. She had faith in God and more patience than anyone. With help from her son who is Deaf, Mathew, she learned American Sign Language (ASL), texting and video messaging. She was always willing to help everyone. Her dimples could always been seen when she smiled, something she often did with a positive attitude. Her laugh was infectious to everyone around her.

   Susamma is survived by her husband Jacob Mathew of Des Moines; son Mathew Jacob of Des Moines and daughter Sherly Jacob of Des Moines; mother Annamma Chacko of India; sisters Mariamma and Ponnamma John and brother KC Thomas. She was preceded in death by her father Mathi Geeuarghese; sister Kunjamma John and brother KC John.