Well done, good and faithful Servant, enter in to the joy of your Lord” Mt: 25: 23.

The Story of a seed, Soaked in love, Sprouted in faith, Nurtured in sacrificial attitude and dedicated completely to the Lord Divine. This was Sr. Mary Simon.

Bloomed in the soil of Ollur, in Trichur District, Kerala, on 19th September 1939 as the second child of Mr. Kochappu and Mrs Thereasa Poothokarn among 11 children. Nourishe in Christian faith with special devotion to St Raphael, the Archangel, she was captured by the love of Christ who called her to be His own.
After completing her initial studies, Sr. Mary Simon joined the F.S.M congregation in 1961, as a postulant in Salem and said her first yes to the Lord on 13th November 1963. She made her Final Commitment on 30th of May 1969.
As a cheerful giver, true to her Franciscan calling, most of her life she spent for the young girls and children who lived in our Hostels and Boarding. Sr. Simon rendered her service as an in charge in Elathagiri, Salem, Krishnagiri, Hosur and Trichy. And as the animator of the community of Assisi Nilaya in Bangalore. Finally she was placed in Thalakottukara from where she came to shalom Nivas, to spend her last months with us.

Having profound faith in God Sr. Simon remained always faithful to her community and all that she was entrusted with. A person of deep faith, courage and endurance. Jovial in nature, rhyming funny songs and proverbs at the tip of her tongue, made every one laugh and thus passed away, that good community builder. People who knew her made visits to her, in her time of weak health, recalling the tender hands that fed them and caressed them, in the boarding and hostels. Strict for values, love in the heart. That was the mark of Sr. Simon with the young ones.

Later as she was weakening in her health, she was resigned to the Holy will of God being at peace with herself. Even till the last, she made herself available in whatever way she could, in the community. A Prayerful, generous, faithful and self-contented religious.”

The meaning of Life is to give life a meaning”, says Victor E. Frank. Sr. Mary Simon was one such, who gave life a meaning, encountered life’s challenges, sicknesses and struggles with courage and confidence in the Lord till her last breath.

On 27th of March, evening around 5p.m, she was sitting in the parlour and was talking with sisters, when she said of some discomfort in the abdomen. She herself walked and went forward and reported about it. While checking her, oxygen level was found to be little low and started her on Oxygen, and nebulization given, for mild breathing difficulty. Suddenly she vomited and turned her head to a side. Though we hurried her to St. John’s medical college, there they reported that she is no more.

“Death for Christian is to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus and waking up, finding out that you are at home with your creator”. Yes, our Sr. Simon found the one whom her soul longed for.

Dear Sr. Simon, too quickly, you found your pathway to your master. We find the vacuum that you left behind. We cannot express the ways that we miss you. For your presence inspired us, thrilled us as we walked, prayed, joked and laughed together. We miss you dear sister. Those we love, don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still lived, still missed and very dear. Pray for us from your heavenly abode.

With sorrow and deep affection,

Your sisters of Shalom Nivas Communi