Soodamani Sukeshini George

Soodamani Sukeshini was born to Lazarus Chelliah and Amalavathy Catherine on March 12, 1934 in , Madurai. She was the eldest of three children and grew up in Madurai with her brothers Mahendran and Benjamin. She was the great grand-daughter of late Rev. Meiyappan.

As a child, she excelled at bharatanatyam and was captain of her school’s baseball, netball and throwball teams. She did her intermediate studies at Lady Doak College with an academic focus in psychology and physiology. She then attended teachers training at Capron Hall, after which she taught 4th and 5th grade at St. Joseph’s Convent for 2 years.

She married George Stephen at the age of 22 on Monday, May 21, 1956 at St. George’s Cathedral. She had Sujaritha in February 1957, Kulothungan in October 1958, Kotnis in June 1960 and Babu in June 1963.

After her husband’s death in January 1996, she moved to the US to live with her sons. In 2002, Sukeshini was diagnosed with breast cancer, and by the grace of God, overcame it within a few years.

Her favorite pastimes were listening to music, composing songs (over 200 songs which have been published in 2 volumes), and participating in her phone-group prayers. She is survived by 3 children, 2 daughters – in - law, a son in law, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

True to her name, Soodamani was an uncrowned treasure, a rare and precious one. Her godliness and goodness became her crown. An example of her child-like, yet mountain-moving faith may be seen in her experience of raising her husband from the dead through prayer. Her life was made up of songs and the word of God more than food and water. As her family, we have seen her sing always, be it night or day, sunshine or darkness. In fact, her life itself was a sweet song unto God. Her faith and faithfulness to Him in joy and sorrow, health and sickness is a testimony unto many.

“Sukeshini,” as most people know her, was a very devoted and sacrificial mother. She was “Sukku Patti” to her grandchildren and “Gigi Patti” to her great grandchildren. For EVERYONE who knew her, she was their faithful prayer warrior. In season and out of season, she was God’s faithful witness. She was one of the most dedicated, humble and loving servants of God, full of His faith and glory, radiant with His joy and love.

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