Annamma Joseph Nediyakalayil, 92, of Kottayam, Kerala, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on April 22, 1934, in Kuravilangad, Kerala, Annamma (affectionately known as “Ammachi” by her loved ones) was the beloved daughter of Ouseph Thuruvakkel and Thressiamma Joseph. She was a faithful member of St. Sebastian's Church, Kalikavu. She married the love of her life, the late Joseph Chacko Nediyakalayil, and together they built a home filled with faith, hard work, and love as they raised their family in Kurumulloor. After the loss of her beloved husband at the age of thirty, Ammachi faced life's challenges with remarkable resilience, relocating with her seven children to Palakkad to create new opportunities and a brighter future for them. Years later, when her eldest son began building his own family in the United States, Ammachi once again embraced a new chapter of life. She devoted herself to caring for her growing family across many generations, often traveling between New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia. Wherever she visited, her warmth, love, and generous spirit made every house feel like home.

Ammachi was the heart and soul of her family - a devoted homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, eldest sister, and cherished matriarch whose greatest joy was caring for others. She enjoyed tending her garden, especially growing beans ("payar") and other vegetables. She expressed her love most often through the meals she prepared, most famously her renowned duck curry. During jackfruit season, she would patiently peel jackfruit (“chakka”) so estate workers could begin their day with a nourishing breakfast. Ammachi’s generosity extended far beyond her own household, financially supporting her extended family with clothing, jewelry, and tuition for higher education- never expecting recognition or praise.

She truly embraced her calling to serve others with devotion. Ammachi’s love was expressed through every full plate she served and every person she welcomed, making sure that no one ever left her home hungry - not just for food, but for comfort, compassion, and the grace that God intended.

Ammachi’s legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the traditions she passed down, and the countless lives she touched. Her greatest accomplishment was not measured in possessions or achievements, but in the family she held together and the love she gave so freely. She is lovingly survived by her six siblings, seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and seven

great-grandchildren. Her family tree stands strong today because she spent a lifetime tending its roots. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and joyfully remembered by all who were blessed to know her and witness a life lived with humility, sacrifice, perseverance and grace.

A funeral mass will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, 9841 W Providence Rd, N Chesterfield, VA 23236. The family will receive friends following the mass for a visitation at the church. An additional funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at St Ann Catholic Church, 17111 Route 1, South Chesterfield, VA 23834. Interment will follow in St Ann Catholic Cemetery, 3320 Beechwood Avenue, S Chesterfield, VA 23831. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the mass from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the church.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

— Matthew 25:23