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children and siblings in his respect for others, in his sense of dignity in adversity, and in
his regal bearings. Lukose has left powerful memories in those who have known and
loved him.

Alyamma was widowed with twelve children. Dani had joined the Brothers of St.
Gabriel. Valsa was with her husband. But it devolved on her and Xavi to look after the
growing youngsters. If life was tough when Lukose was alive, it was more difficult in his
absence. All the children learned to help each other. Alyamma was a deeply devout
woman and entrusted all her affairs to God. She taught her children the need for God’s
grace in everything. She taught them to love each other, to share their worldly
possessions with those who do not have enough, to trust in providence. Alyamma had to
be the mother, the liaison with her husband’s family and her own; she had to walk a thin
line between diplomacy and independence. But she succeeded eminently. When the
Spinning Mill was commissioned, her eldest son - Abraham- was given a position in the
mill. He was sent for training by the mill, and came back to hold important positions
there. His younger brother-Philip- too was absorbed in the mill. The wages of these two
went straight into the hands of their mother, who knew how to multiply loaves and fishes.
During all these years, as some of the children were completing their high school
education, they pursued their studies in college with some help from their uncle abroad.
One by one, the children married, starting (after their father’s death) with Xavi in 1966 to
Celine Karottu. After Abraham’s youngest son went to Canada, Xavi went to his
grandparents’ help, along with Celine. Subsequently he lived in proximity to the
grandparents in Kaipuzha and was, until their death a great source of help. He was
involved in several business activities, became a successful and accepted personality in
Kaipuzha.. Sara (Kunjumol) married Mathaikunju Mundackal, a military officer, who
eventually settled in Bangalore as a contractor, and lived in Kurumulloor to look after the
ancestral property. Abraham, perhaps the only one to whom his grandfather gave tacit
permission to assume his name, married MollyKutty Koppazha, and became the head of
the Kurumulloor household. Joemol (Maria Goretti) married Thomas Chackonal, who
went to the Middle East, was involved in many successful ventures. Jose the first
successful College graduate in the family. He worked in India and Bahrain, and married
Celine Poozhikala. Clement joined his brother in Bahrain for some time, and worked in
Bombay for a few years. Eventually he married Reeni Ullattil. Philo,another of Lukose’s
daughters, and perhaps the most adventurous of the girls, did her studies in Kerala,
successfully completed her nurses training in Bombay, and went to Bahrain. She married
Salvi Vellappally. Albi (Alphonsa), the youngest, was given in marriage to Shajo
(Joseph), the grandson of her grandfather’s close friend Joseph Chazhikat. The circle
was thus completed. Thomas Kutty who was less than five years old when his father
passed away, married Shiny Mukkada.

Philip, the second son of Alyamma, was not satisfied with the fact that the family was
eking out an existence in Kurumulloor. He decided to marry Celine who was already
settled in The United States. Philip had the blessings of his mother and his grandfather.
His intention was to reach The United States and help his family. In 1976, after bidding
farewell to his dying grandfather, he came to Philadelphia to join Celine. His eldest
brother _Dani- was already in New York. Philip and Dani sponsored all his siblings. One

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