Mariamma Benjamin

Mariamma (Ammukutty) Joseph was born in Kottayam, India on April 15, 1944 to AV Joseph & Aleyamma Joseph. She is the oldest of five children. She has two brothers and two sisters; the youngest daughter being deceased. She met her future husband, Mathew Benjamin, while she was attending nursing school, and he was in the Air Force. Mathew recalls being captivated by this young lady and has told many stories about their chance encounter and his pursuit to make her his wife. They eventually got married on February 16, 1970, and a year later, welcomed their first daughter, Elizabeth (Sherly), on August 13, 1971. The following year, they welcomed their second daughter, Regeena (Sheffy), on November 13, 1972. Annie (Sheeba), the youngest daughter, was born on August 4, 1981. Mariamma has four grandchildren, Jonathan (Vimal), Michael (Vinay), J.R., and Jessica, and a devoted fur grandbaby, Ty. She was also a loving mother-in-law to Babu, John, and Manoj. She is survived by her immediate family, her siblings Joseph Varghese, Alice Cherian, & Abraham Joseph, a host of family members, in-laws, and friends who all love her dearly. In pursuit of a better life for her family, Mariamma migrated to New York in 1976, selflessly leaving her husband Mathew and two young children Sherly and Sheffy behind in India. Shortly after, she passed her nursing exam and started working as a registered nurse at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. Known for her compassionate spirit and unwavering commitment to care, she had a successful career working as a nurse.

She resided with the family in an apartment in Manhattan before moving to their Staten Island home, where they remained until 2007. Upon retirement, Mariamma had her dream home built in West Palm Beach, where she spent her remaining time until her sunset. Mariamma was affectionately known as “Mammootty” by many of her close family and friends, and she received this nickname from her husband, Mathew, when he combined Mommy & Ammukutty. She loved to cook and enjoyed hosting family and friends in their home, always preparing what everyone said was the most spectacular food they had ever had. She also enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing, and making jewelry. Dedicated to her family and incredibly devout, she enjoyed church activities until she became ill and was no longer able to be around too many people. Mariamma passed away on January 24, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family and loved ones, at the age of 81. She will be deeply missed by all of her family members and friends who love her dearly.