“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race

I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4: 7

Following the golden words of St. Paul, walking in the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi and Marie Virginie, Sr. Mary Elisa stood the test of time and kept her faith alive, embracing the will of God till her last moment.

Sr. Mary Elisa was born on the 14th March 1937, to N.K. Joseph and Elia. She was affectionately called Lucy by her dear & near ones. As a young woman, deeply Christian and faith filled, from Neelankavil Muttikkal family, in Thrissur, Kerala, answered God’s call and joined the Franciscan Servants of Mary. She took her first vows on the 15th May 1963 and made her Final commitment on the 10th May 1968. Sr. Elisa responded to God’s call with a resounding ‘’yes” and faithfully lived her vocation as a humble servant of God, embracing complete obedience, perfect charity and profound humility. Sr. Elisa always loved to live a hidden life, faithful, serene, calm and quiet, always smiling while attending to the needs of others. She had a very special love to our helpers and maids. Her life was centered on prayer, a powerful weapon; through which she was able to draw herself closer to God and others. Obedience to God’s will was always her priority and primary concern. Sr. Elisa exemplified the true meaning of living for others and served in various communities, including Savariarpalayam, Salem, Yercaud, Hosur, Bangalore, Mathighiri, Elathagiri and Pothy. She touched many lives particularly through her dedication in the kitchen, grooming at kindergarten, and nurturing presence in the hostels. In her life, we saw the face of Christ. Sr. Elisa taught us that holiness is not found in grand gestures but in small and insignificant acts of love lived with great faith. Sr. Elisa was suffering from cancer from 2019 onwards. She was under treatment from St. John’s Hospital. Even before we could realize that the sickness had lapsed; she is gone. She was suffering from loss of voice, loss of appetite and breathlessness. On the 14th November, we admitted Sr. Eliza in St. Mary’s Hospital, Salem. The doctors advised to go for a PET scan. The scan report showed that the nodules were spread in the chest and throat area and surgery was not possible. So Sr. Eliza was brought to the convent on the 22.11.2024. Indeed she was lucky to receive the last sacrament, prayers and blessings of many priests and sisters. She breathed her last quietly and peacefully on the 23rd November 2024 at 1a.m. in the presence of her sisters.

Her life was one of quiet service. Today, we give thanks to God for her faithfulness, her humility and her unwavering commitment to the religious life. The mortal remains of Sr. Mary Elisa is in the cemetery of St. Michael’s Parish Church, Alagapuram, Salem where she desired to be.

We express our special thanks to our Dear Sr. Angela for her presence, for accompanying Sr.Elisa and our community as a great tower of strength and courage. We thank Sr. Hemalatha for her timely help and support in her last moment. Dear sisters, we remain grateful to all of you, for the assurance, condolences, prayerful support and solidarity at this time of loss and pain. Though we have lost our dear Sr. Elisa in this temporary mansion; we are consoled that God was merciful to alleviate her sufferings and grant her heavenly inheritance. We are sure she will intercede for us as she enjoys the company of all the saints and angels. May she rest in peace.

"Those who touch our lives, stay in our hearts forever"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Yours fraternally,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Sr. Suchita & Community,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Our Lady of Angels Convent,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Salem.