Passing on of Dr. Mary George (nee Thomas) (MBBS batch of 1951)

Dear friends,

We are sorry to inform you of the passing on of Dr. Mary George (nee Thomas) (MBBS batch of 1951).

Dr. Mary George (née Thomas) passed away peacefully at her home in Kottayam, Kerala—the heart of her family for 57 years. Following a courageous battle with her health during her final year, she died surrounded by loved ones at the age of 94.

Born on November 19, 1931, Mary was the eldest of eight children born to M.C. Thomas, IAS, and Annamma Thomas. She attended the Balikamadom School, where she excelled academically, before joining the CMC Vellore Batch of 1951. It was at CMC that she formed lifelong friendships and became known for her gentle, soft-spoken nature. CMC held a special place in her heart; she frequently spoke of how those pivotal years defined her. Rooted in a strong Christian faith, the values of equity and service she acquired at home and at CMC became the core principles of her life.

The premature death of her father, a distinguished civil servant, while Mary was still a medical student, fundamentally shaped her journey. Stepping into a matriarchal role, she became a steadfast source of guidance and support for her seven siblings—a bond of devotion that remained unbroken for over seven decades.

Mary’s professional journey was defined by a series of historic milestones. After completing her MBBS at CMC, she specialized in Anesthesiology at AIIMS, Delhi. She further refined her expertise in the United Kingdom before returning to Kerala as the state’s first physician to hold an MD in Anesthesiology. She served as Kerala’s first female Head of Department in Anesthesiology and later as its first Director of Anesthesiology. Her legacy is permanently cemented by her role in founding the Department of Anesthesia at Kottayam Medical College; upon her retirement, she left behind a department renowned for clinical excellence in anesthesia and critical care.

She was married to the late Dr. George Jacob, who retired as Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Kottayam Medical College. Their marriage was characterized by complete devotion to each other and to their faith, a commitment that expressed itself in their love for their family and the community. Together, they were instrumental in building Kottayam Medical College from its infancy, mentoring generations of physicians who now serve across Kerala and around the world.

Beyond her clinical reputation, Mary was defined by an unwavering spiritual life. She was a blessing to her husband, children, and extended family. An exceptionally skilled cook who found immense joy in hospitality, she created a home that served as a haven for parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, especially during times of need. She balanced the rigors of a demanding medical career with the quiet grace of a woman who prioritized the care of others above all else.

Dr. Mary George is survived by her children: Deepa George and her husband George Paul; Dr. Thomas George and his wife Sneha; and Dr. Anila George Jacob (Batch of ’86) and her husband Dr. Ajith John Thomas (Batch of ’85). She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren—Neha, Noah, Nathan, Tarun, Nitin, Ranjit, and Rachel—as well as her siblings, whom she nurtured and loved with maternal devotion.

Contact Information:

For those wishing to reach the family, correspondence may be sent via her daughter, Dr. Anila Jacob, at athomas313@comcast.net.

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

Sincerely,

Smitha Jasper

Secretary, CMC Alumni Association

PS: The use of various first names and her pet name in the write-up remain, considering that this is an affectionate remembrance shared within the CMC family.