Teresa Kanjuparamban

Kind and gentle, thoughtful and caring often described Teresa Kanjuparamban. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she experienced the love of two countries within her heart. Teresa's daily life was encircled by her devout Catholic faith. She adored her granddaughters, and through generosity of heart, she gave freely to those she loved. Born in Kerala, India on October 22, 1937, Teresa was the daughter of Thomas and Maria (Anthony) Kadamapuzha. Her birth was a most welcome event in the lives of her family at a time when the world was undergoing many changes. Headlines across the globe included tensions between countries overseas, and the disappearance of aviation pioneer, Amelia Earhart. Tragically, the unfortunate explosion of the Hindenburg marked the end of the airship era. For Teresa and her family, life was about working hard in the place they called home along the foothills in the little town of Kanjirappally, otherwise known as, The Land of the Mountains. Located in the state of Kerala in India, many derived their living from plantations. Her father was a rubber and spice plantation owner while her mother took care of their home and helped on the plantation. Teresa was the fourth of eventually five daughters, raised alongside her sisters, Achamma, Daisy, Ammini, and Sheila. Respect and honor was a virtue in their home, and from her earliest beginnings she had a way of always placing the needs of others before her own. Like each of her sisters, Teresa attended boarding school, and after graduating from high school, she furthered her education by attending college for two years. Family was very important in the Kadamapuzha household and they each helped one another in various ways. They not only lived in a close knit community, but Teresa and her sisters were very close to each other. Out of her four sisters, Teresa was the one that became most like a mother figure to her nieces and nephews, and was very nurturing towards them. In keeping with the long honored custom of arranged marriages, Teresa married Zachary Kanjuparamban on May 4, 1962 at a Catholic church in her hometown of Kanjirappally. In 1968, while her husband was continuing his medical education, the two of them moved to Washington, D.C. in the United States. Her three older sisters stayed behind in India. Her younger sister, Sheila, too, would eventually move to the United States. It was a big transition for the two young women, yet it provided much opportunity. In time Teresa and her husband moved to Arlington, Virginia, and by 1974 they would find a permanent home in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan where Zachary would begin his urology practice. Blessed with two children, Teresa made a good home for her husband, their daughter, Maria, and son, Jacob. Just as kind and gentle in her home as she was at all times, her soft spoken nature was a part of her humble ways and the grace for which she lived. Teresa held fast to her faith in all she did, and loved going to church as a member of Sacred Heart Parish. She faithfully prayed at least three times a day and never ceased in remembering the many blessings in her life. Teresa was a loving, attentive mother whose family was her most prized treasure. She loved to cook, and time spent gardening offered her quiet contentment and reflection. She also enjoyed walking, but was mainly satisfied remaining at home tending to the family she loved so deeply. When her precious granddaughters came into her life, she so enjoyed baking all their favorite treats and any time spent with them brought her the greatest joy. Throughout the years, Teresa and her husband traveled quite extensively. They enjoyed a trip to South Africa, and to many places in Europe including Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal, just to name a few. In recent years, her favorite places to visit were to where her granddaughters lived as she reveled each visit and time she could spend enjoying their company. With strong faith, Teresa Kanjuparamban lived her life as an honest woman. Sweet and gentle in a way all her own, she never had a negative thing to say about anyone. A woman who loved two countries, a part of her heart always remained in India, the land of her birth. Yet Teresa found her way in life in the U.S. in service to her God as a dedicated, Christian whose kindness was a special gift to those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed and remembered. At the age of 74, Teresa Kanjuparamban, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012 at her home. Teresa is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dr. Zachary Kanjuparamban of Mt. Pleasant; two children, Maria K. Barone of Plymouth, MI and Jacob Kanjuparamban of Sylvania, Ohio; five granddaughters: Olivia and Isabelle Barone and Sydney, Elle, and Amelia Kanjuparamban; two sisters, Ammini (Thomas) Thumpassery of India and Sheila (C. Joseph) Mathew of Gardener, Massachusetts; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Daisy and Achamma. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM Monday, June 11, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Teresa's family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 6-8 PM with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday from 11:00 AM until the Mass begins. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Parish or to the Mother Teresa Charitable Trust. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. 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