Passing on of Dr. Gracey Abraham (nee Philip Gracey) (MBBS batch of 1955)

Dear friends,

We are sorry to inform you of the passing on of Dr. Gracey Abraham (nee Philip Gracey) (MBBS batch of 1955) on 7 June 2026.

Dr. Gracey (“Molly”) Abraham passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Waterloo, Ontario.

She is survived by her three daughters: V. Mary Abraham (Robert W. Radtke) of New York City, P. Sarah Sturtevant (Terry) of Kitchener, and Dr. Neena S. Abraham of Scottsdale, Arizona. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Dr. Evangeline Warren and Marisa Bernie (Destin); and her step-grandchildren and their families: Cordelia Juhlke (Karl) and the Rev. David Sturtevant (Michelle).

She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Dr. Kothoor O. Abraham, as well as her siblings.

Gracey Abraham was born on 7 August 1934 in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, India, the youngest child of M.P. Philip and Sarah Philip. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1954 and then her medical degree from Christian Medical College in Vellore, where she also completed her internship. In 1962, she married her medical school classmate, Dr. Kothoor (“Abe”) Abraham, and they moved to London, England where they both undertook their post-graduate studies in medicine. She completed her residency and fellowship in physical medicine and rehabilitation in London, including training at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, home of the National Spinal Injury Centre and birthplace of the Paralympics. This experience developed her commitment to supporting people with physical disabilities. She often said that her greatest professional satisfaction came from seeing patients arrive at her centre on stretchers and leave walking on their own two feet.

She and her family returned to India in 1969, where both Gracey and Abe taught at CMC Vellore. In 1971, they moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada where she became medical director of the Forest Hill Rehabilitation Centre (later the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation). During this time, she also served as an advisor to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Fredericton Area Association for Parents of Disabled Children and Youth; and on the board of directors of the New Brunswick division of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (later Ability NB), and the Provincial Artisans and Handicapped Sheltered Workshop.

Shortly after they arrived in Fredericton, the Abraham family joined Brunswick Street Baptist Church where they were active members. In particular, Gracey collaborated with her friend Marjorie Knight at Grace Memorial Baptist Church to create an international student ministry through which families in several local churches hosted students from other countries who were pursuing higher education at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. This program gave these students vital support, community, and the opportunity to be part of a family while in Fredericton.

Gracey was a gifted cook who created magical meals in her kitchen. She mastered a wide range of cuisines and was always ready to try a new recipe. Her dinner parties were a highlight for her lucky guests. She later shared this gift as a member of the team that faithfully prepared weekly meals for the Alpha ministry at Brunswick Street Baptist Church.

As a student, she showed real artistic promise. She used this ability to create outstanding scientific illustrations during her undergraduate degree. In her retirement years, she spent many happy hours drawing and painting.

Gracey and Abe were avid travelers. They visited nearly every continent, enjoying the adventure of encountering new cultures, new vistas, and new cuisines. They had plans to travel to even more places, but this was cut short by Abe’s illness in 2006 and subsequent death in 2009.

In 2016, she moved to the Chartwell Clair Hills Retirement Residence in Waterloo, Ontario, located near her daughter Sarah. Until the COVID lockdown, she was an active resident there, participating in art classes and helping lead a weekly Bible study. Her outgoing personality and signature bright smile enabled her to make many friends among the residents and the staff.

Special thanks to the kind staff at Clair Hills, particularly the ones who spoke to her in her mother tongue, who provided loving care to her for 10 years.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life for Gracey will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kitchener on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 2 pm. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be available on St. Andrew’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/UMEp9q3PS50?app=desktop&feature=share

For those who would like to get in touch with the family, contact details of her daughter Ms. Sarah Sturtevant is given below:

Email: ssturtev24@gmail.com

Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved members of the family at this time.

Sincerely,

Smitha Jasper

Secretary, CMC Alumni Association