Karuna Thottumarickal, SCN: Sister Karuna Thottumarickal, SCN, (formerly known as Mary John) was born in Kalloorkad, Ernakulam district, Kerala on Feb. 18, 1941, to John and Annamma Thottumarickal. She was the youngest of five children. Life dealt her harsh blows early — her parents and a brother passed away while she was still a child. Yet, from this wellspring of sorrow rose a resilient spirit, nurtured in a devout and hardworking family, steeped in the values of honesty, simplicity, and unwavering faith. 

At the tender age of 19, moved by a deep longing to serve God and His people, Mary John left the comfort of her home on Sept. 6, 1960. With unwavering faith and courage, she journeyed alongside Sisters Mary Martha Wise and Crescentia Wise, and two other young candidates, answering a divine call to missionary life in the unfamiliar lands of North India. On Sept.11, 1960, she arrived in Mokama, Bihar, a place that would become her sacred mission and spiritual home. Though challenges awaited — such as limited facilities — her spirit remained undeterred. She was soon sent to Gaya for her initial training, where her formation quietly deepened. After six months, she returned to Nazareth Hospital, Mokama, to begin her nursing studies alongside her fellow Sisters, Maria Palathingal and Lucia Thuluvanickel. In those early steps, the seeds of a lifetime of loving service were sown — anchored in humility, shaped by faith, and nourished by grace. Though she had only completed her Class X, she carried within her a wisdom and compassion that no textbook could teach. 

She entered postulancy on Dec. 2, 1965, and from the beginning, she was known for her humility, quiet devotion, and deep love for those in need. She made her First Vows on July 19, 1968, and her Perpetual Vows on July 2, 1972. For 57 years, she remained a faithful Sister of Charity of Nazareth — an embodiment of the vows she so lovingly embraced. 

After making her First Vows, Sister Karuna entered a six-month Juniorate program in Ranchi, further grounding herself in the spirit of religious life. In 1969, she returned to Nazareth Hospital, Mokama, as a staff nurse. Eventually, her dedication and gentle strength led her to become the supervisor of the Obstetrics and Gynecology ward, where she cared for countless women with tenderness and skill. She later received training in anesthesia, working closely with Sister Mary Joseph Pamplaniel, and gained valuable hands-on experience at Mercy Hospital in Jamshedpur.  

In 1978, Sister Karuna was assigned to Bakhtiarpur to oversee the Obstetrics/Gynecology department and community health work in the villages. She returned to Nazareth Hospital in 1979, dedicating herself to various departments until 2012, totaling 46 years of service at Nazareth Hospital, Mokama. Sister Karuna was known for her unwavering commitment, long hours of work, providing bedside care, and even donating her blood for patients in need. 

As a nurse, Sister Karuna embodied tireless dedication, quiet strength, and deep compassion. Whether in the bustle of the obstetrics ward or the solemn precision of anesthesia, she served with healing hands and a listening heart. In Bakhtiarpur, she extended care to the remotest villages; in Mokama, she gave 46 years of her life to Nazareth Hospital, where patients found not just treatment, but hope, dignity, and kindness. 

She worked long, often unseen hours, never uttering a word of complaint. When patients were in desperate need, she gave not just her care, but her very blood. She humbly declined opportunities for higher studies, choosing instead to remain beside the sick, the suffering, and the forgotten. 

To young nurses, she was more than a teacher—she was a quiet mentor who shaped not just skills, but spirits. To her patients, she was often their only comfort. To her community, she was a pillar of grace. 

Even after her retirement in August 2012, Sister Karuna’s spirit of service remained unchanged. She managed community responsibilities with care, offered warm hospitality to all, and deepened her inner life through prayer. Her love for Nazareth Hospital and its people endured until her final days. 

In her reflections, she spoke with quiet pride about her SCN vocation — grateful for her community and fully committed to a life of faith, prayer, and loving service. She believed in walking with conviction and in nurturing an ever-deepening relationship with God. Her strength came from the Blessed Sacrament, where she often sat in silent contemplation, drawing strength for her journey. 

She is survived by her nephew, Fr. George S.J., her extended family of nieces and nephews, and above all, by her religious family, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, to whom she remained deeply devoted. 

Dear Sister Karuna, your absence leaves a quiet ache in our hearts. But your life, a life poured out in service, steeped in prayer, and filled with love, continues to inspire us. We are so grateful for the way you touched our lives. 

May your gentle spirit guide us as we strive to live each day with a generous heart, faithful love, and unwavering trust in God — until we see your smiling face once more in that eternal place where every tear is wiped away. 

You will forever remain in our hearts and our prayers. 

We love you, Sister Karuna.