Kunjoonjamma Cherian

Kunjoonjamma Cherian

September, 1 1937 – May 19, 2025

Kunjumol Cherian was born on September 1, 1937, to Easo and Aleyamma Simon of the Aikarethu family in Ayroor, Kerala. Her grandfather, Easo, had moved there from Melukara, Kozhencherry. The youngest of four daughters, Kunjumol grew up in the Mar Thoma faith, first attending Chayal Mar Thoma Church and later Carmel Mar Thoma Church, established in 1952 next to her home.

She completed her early education in Ayroor and earned a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Fatima Mata National College, Quilon, followed by a master’s degree from Sagar University, Madhya Pradesh. Kunjumol began her career as a faculty member at Assumption College, Changanassery. In 1965, she was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue further studies at Trent University in Ontario, Canada. As a young woman living alone in a foreign country, she demonstrated courage, strength of character, and unwavering faith.

After her studies, she joined Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, as a research scientist. In 1969, she married Plammoottil V. Cherian, and the couple moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland, where they worked as research scientists at Memorial University and welcomed their first child, Sajeev. In 1973, the family immigrated to the U.S. when her husband began his Ph.D. in Life Sciences at Indiana State University. Their daughter, Sunita, was born in Indiana.

In Philadelphia, where Dr. Cherian pursued postdoctoral work, Kunjumol was appointed a research specialist in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She found joy when Mar Thoma congregations were established in the U.S. by 1976, becoming active members of the Philadelphia Mar Thoma Church from 1977 to 1993. There, she served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, music teacher, and Sevika Sanghom secretary.

She was known for her hospitality and often hosted dignitaries, including bishops from the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches—guests of the Mar Thoma Metropolitans during their visits to the U.S. She found time, despite her professional and family responsibilities, to become certified in Biblical Counseling and offered support to many in need.

One of her proudest accomplishments was organizing and serving as Secretary of the North East Region Sevika Sanghom from 1984 to 1993. She led trimonthly gatherings of 500–600 women from churches in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. After relocating to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1993 when Dr. Cherian joined the University of Michigan, she continued serving the church as Vice President and Secretary of the Sevika Sanghom at the Detroit Mar Thoma Church.

In 2009, she organized the National Sevika Sanghom Conference of North America, hosted by the Detroit MTC. Throughout her 55-year career as a research scientist, she contributed significantly to the understanding of infectious and cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Kunjumol’s steadfast faith, radiant smile, and joyful spirit touched everyone she met. Her legacy is one of service, dedication, and love—for her church, her research, and most of all, her family: her husband, her children Sajeev (Gina) and Sunita (Rich), and her beloved grandchildren, Elijah and JessicaVisitation:

Chicago Mar Thoma Church

240 Potter Rd, Des Plaines 60016

Thursday May 22

Visitation from: 5:30-9:00 p.m.

Funeral Service:

Chicago Mar Thoma Church

Friday, May 23

Visitation: 9 – 10am

Service: 10 a.m.

Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N River Road, Des Plaines 60016