Sr. Anice Thomas Velimattathil DBS
Sr. Anice Thomas was born on 30-12-1958 to the devout parents Mr. Thomas Mathew & Elekutty Thomas of Velimattathil House in Karimkunnam, Kottayam District, Kerala. She is the fourth child among the six siblings – has three sisters and two brothers. She was baptized in St. Augustine’s Church, Karimkunnam and christened Anna. She did her primary and middle education at Little Flower School Nediyakadu and High school at St. Augustin’s High School Karimkunnam. She joined Deen Bandhu Samaj on 3rd July 1978. She made her First Profession on 27th April 1981 and the Final Profession on 30th July 1987 during the Holy Eucharistic celebrations officiated by Bp. Paulinus Jeerath CMI on both occasions. Soon after the Profession in 1981, she was sent for Juniorate Course in Missionary Orientation Centre at Manganam, Kerala. She completed her +2 at Jyothi Nivas College Bangalore in 1982-84 and the General Nursing & Midwifery at St. Philomina’s College of Nursing, Bangalore in 1986-91.
She rendered her dedicated service in the remote villages of Bastar
In the year 2010, when she was in Chottebettiya, she was diagnosed with Cancer (breast) 3rd stage. She has set very many examples and ideals for us to emulate. She didn’t allow the cruel cancerous cells and its gruesome aftermath to take grip of her indomitable spirit. She faced it with audacity that she achieved through her incessant prayer and continued her service with much commitment and enthusiasm. She had a special concern for the poor, would deal very gently with them and treated them so lovingly. She was very particular in giving Jesus to the patients – would give medicines only after praying over them. Even years after her transfer, the patients who received her service enquire after her is a clear proof that she has imprinted an ineffaceable mark in their minds with her loving service. She was very humorous –laughed and made others to laugh with her instant jokes, was extremely hard working, approachable and very much committed to her task. Her perfection in whatever she does and her ever readiness to extend help to anyone who is in need even during her acute illness and pain is so praiseworthy.
She was called to eternal rest on 2nd September 2019. She was buried at the DBK Cemetery in Koppaguda on 4th September 2020. Most Rev. Joseph Kollamparampil, the Bishop of Jagdalpur officiated the funeral ceremony.