"My dearest sister, Surya Chechi, many of you knew her as Dr. Mercy Philip was truly my mentor during my teenage life in late 80's, and I cherish her life teachings as fresh ever after. I was fortunate enough in taking care of my beloved Chechi for at least few months during her stay with us in Trivandrum during 1986-87. The tragedies she had gone through during the early 80's can't be erased-off from anyone who knew her dear and near .... I had immense hope of meeting and spending time with her in US along with my wife and 3 kids in the near future. Our heartfelt condolence and prayers to Rajuchayan, Valsachechi & Aniyanchayan, Ranichechi and kids in the family. Suryachechi has left behind powerful sorrow but I believe that she's rejoicing in the presence of God Almighty who received her joyfully. Rest in Peace. With profound remembrances, Sudeep"
In loving memory of
Mercy Surya Philip
February 25, 1955 - May 26, 2014
MERCY PHILIP
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Mercy Surya Philip, 59, of Muscatine, died on Monday, May 26, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Casket bearers will be Ajit Abraham, John Varghese, Madhan Srinivasan, Bob Gallagher, and Dan Kaiyalethe. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2014, at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family in care of Philip Kaiyalethe.
Mercy was born on February 25, 1955, in Madras, India, the daughter of Joshua and Annamma Itty Johnson. She married Philip Kaiyalethe on August 16, 1989, in Muscatine.
She served in the Air Force in India as a medical doctor. She also worked as phlebotomist at the University of Iowa Clinic on Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, and at the Muscatine Community YMCA.
She was a member of the Chapel of Praise Church. She volunteered for many community services, working with orphans, widows, sponsoring children, doing elder care, and entertaining residents at nursing homes.
Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Philip Kaiyalethe of Muscatine; two sisters, Valsa and husband, Dr. Thomas Varghese, of Trivandrum, India, and Rani Thomas of Muscatine; nieces, Pramila and husband, Ajit Abraham and their children, Hanna, Grace and Ria, of Muscatine, Rebecca Mathew and husband, Sunil, and their daughter, Sara, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Anila Srinivasan and husband, Madhan, and their daughters, Lillian, Gwenith, and Vanessa, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one nephew, John Varghese and wife, Leslie, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and special friends, Bob and Gertrude Gallagher.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother-in-law, Thomas P. Thomas.
Tributes
"Mercy was my friend before I married Joe(kochumon). The smart, beautiful, medical student from the Madras Medical College, was loving, friendly, popular and humorous. Her laughter, smiles, jokes will be remembered always. May God be with Raju, Valsa, Rani and her family. May her soul rest in peace."
"Mercy was such a pleasure to have take our blood when my husband and I came to U of I Clinic on Mulberry. She was always so caring and went out of her way to help in any way possible. Sure will miss her!!"
"Dinner with my first cousins Mercy &Rani & Mercy's husband Raju at Hilton hotel, Chicago last August. I really cherish this moment.What a charming personality!"
"Mercy was always smiling and made everyone feel special. She would always take the time to help you out no matter what. What a kind and gentle soul - she will be missed. Condolences to Philip and family god bless - Lisa Thompson "
"My name is Minny and I am Jollychechy's daughter and Tittyammachy is my grandmother and Tittyammachy is Kunjuncle's elder sister. I live in Sydney. Mercychechy attended my wedding in Trivandrum on 5th of April 1987 and she was my beautiful aunt, with lots of laugh and kind words. She was so proud to let everyone know that she was the bride's aunt. I have lots of old photos to remember Mercychechy. We remember all of you in our prayers and may her soul RIP."
"Mercy was an extremely friendly and helpful person. She will be missed by all. She always had a smile on her face and greeted you with such kindness. Prayers to her family during this difficult time, she left us way too early. We will miss her."
"Mercy was a very special person, who was a beacon of joy and I am very sorry for your loss."
"Mercy was always giving, giving, giving with a big smile on her face. We will miss her. Mark & Kari Anderson"
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved on this sad loss. May the dear departed soul rest in peace With deepest sympathy "
"I never knew Mercy, she was my fathers first cousin. We grew up hearing about our cousins in the states but never really gotten to know you all. My father sent me this and I was moved to send you my condolences and love from down under in Sydney. We are so far away but Mercyamamma (what i would have called her) was much loved and the family are surrounded by friends and loved ones. God bless you and I am sad that I never got to know her. Allan"
"Rachel and I both had the opportunity to work with Mercy at the Y. She would always greet us and our kids - have conversation and ask how we were doing if we weren't visiting together - and always reassure us that there is a place for us in Heaven and that Jesus walks with us daily. I'm sure she is with God now - as she always knew she would be. Prayers to Philip, Rani and Pramela - and the rest of the Family. God is with us and he will help us all find comfort in our difficult times. Rest is peace, Mercy - you will be missed and surely remembered."
"I was blessed to meet Mercy four years ago. She was a light and walking testimony for Jesus. Her name was perfect! She had a kind, compassionate and loving spirit reaching out to the hurting, less fortunate, those afraid and lost without the knowledge and love of Jesus in their heart. Our last phone conversation was about her concern and prayer for someone we both knew. This is the Mercy I knew, always thinking of others. I celebrate who she was and my prayer for her family, who she dearly loved is: My Lord, comfort them during this period of mourning and in time be filled with joy knowing because of you, they will be with her again in their eternal home with Jesus, never to be separated by death again. Miss you, love you my friend and sister in Christ."
"Mercy's presence was enlightening. I've had the pleasure of working with Mercy, worshiping with Mercy, and being Mercy's friend. She was a prayer warrior with the comfort of her smile and hug. Mercy was 100% authentic. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed. My sincere sympathy to her family. Cheryl Petersen"
"What a wonderful woman, filled with the light of Jesus! You touched SO MANY lives...We will miss you. "
"We are shocked and saddened by this news. Mercy was such a lovely person who made you feel better just by being in her presence. My kids will miss seeing her at the Y so much! She "blessed them" every time they walked through the door. Muscatine has truly lost one of the best and we will all miss her deeply. With love-The Graettingers"
"I haven't seen Mercy in years, but she was someone you can't forget. She was one of the most caring and giving people I have met. I thought it was tragic that she could not practice as a physician in the U.S., as she would have been a beloved doctor here."
"I met Mercy a couple of months ago at the UofI Clinic. As she was taking my blood, I saw her name and was going to tell her how I loved it. Before I could say it, she said how much she loved my shirt. It said 'I am a Princess, My Father is the King of Kings!' As I was the last on her schedule that day, we talked about 15 minutes about our love for God. I will pray for her family, and the loss they have now, but family, please know that she is now HOME, in heaven. I'm so glad I got to meet and talk with her for those few minutes, and we parted with 'God Bless You!!' How wonderful that was."
"i was so sad to hear about Mercy's passing. all the years ia have know her from the Y & dr's office so was always to friendly and helpful and you couldn't help but chat with her like she was your friend the first time you met her! she will be so missed by so may! i know she had some struggles of her own so she will be happy in heaven!"
"I met Mercy at the Muscatine YMCA. She was one of the most kind and generous people I ever met. During an extremely tough time in my life, Mercy reached out to me even, though I did not know her, and offered compassion and kindness. I have never forgotten this act of kindness. Mercy was truly a good person. My condolences to her family. "
"Mercy's kind soul and heart will live on forever. God's blessings to the family. Dyann & Dave Roby"
"I was so sorry to hear about Mercy. She always greeted me by name and with a smile at the Y. I always looked to see if she was working at the counter when I arrived. She wasn't there last night. It seemed emptier without her. Mercy will be greatly missed by all."
"Shocked to hear this sad news. We are praying for Mercy's family to have strength to get thru this difficult moment. We will miss her."
"Mercy always seemed to bring joy with her into the room! We were shocked and saddened to lose her so unexpectedly and are praying for your family, particularly Rani and Philip. "
"She was such a kind and wonderful woman. She had such a positive outlook on life and always tried to spread love and happiness. I am forever indebted to her for the kindness she showed towards me. She will be missed. "
"What a wonderful woman of God. She always had a smile to share and inviting laugh. She is greatly missed. "
"Thoughts and prayers for Mercy's husband and family. Our deepest sympathy through this difficult time."
"Every memory that I have of Mercy is one in which she is smiling and laughing. She was joy personified. It seemed that she knew no strangers and had a way of making others free welcome and appreciated. It was an honor to know her. I wish her family peace during this tragic time. "
"I am shocked and saddened by the passing of such a wonderful lady. She holds a very special place in my heart. I am so blessed to have known her. Until we meet again my friend!"
"Mercy had a smile and a kind word for everyone. she seemed happiest when she was helping others. She will be missed. I will always remember her soothing patients fears with songs of praise."
"Mercy was a genuinely kind and thoughtful woman who was always interested in the lives other people. I am so very sorry for your loss. "
"Mercy was a very special woman in my heart. When I became ill she always saw to my needs at the UIH. Such a sad loss."
"My heart is filled with a mixture of joy and sorrow. Joyful to know that Mercy has been welcomed to her eternal home where her heart has always been. Sorrowful to have such a wonderful loving soul leave us when it seems all too soon. Mercy was truly a light to so many people and wanted more than anything to to have people learn and know Jesus. From my heart I pray God touches each of you that are mourning her loss here and be lifted up in hope to see her again in the ever after. ..love you Mercy. See you someday! "
"Mercy was always such a pleasant & positive person in the short time that I have known her. I will miss her cheerful smile & chatting with her at the Y. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family at this most difficult time. Pat Church"
"Philip, Our hearts go out to you on Mercy's homegoing. What a loss for all who loved and knew Mercy. "
"I've known Mercy for over 20 years. I was shocked to read of her passing. What a kind-hearted, wonderful, encouraging person! I shall miss you, my friend!"
"Phillip I am so saddened by the news. I can't believe it is true. I have many sweet memories of her. She was always smiling and pleasant to talk whenever we met. I pray that God give you the strength to bear the loss Pravin, Usha, Jessica and Phillip "
"Philip & Rani, Words can not express how saddened I am by this terrible news. Mercy was a very special woman & will be missed by so many people. I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that many people are thinking of you and praying for you and your family. Love, Debi Hahn"
"Mercy was so kind,she had a heart of gold. We will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you "
"Mercy always had such a welcoming smile. Loving and kind wonderful woman. A true light of God sharing the love of Christ with everyone she met. "
"Phillipand Rani, my thoughts and prayers are with you both in such a hard time like this. My heart go out to you both andthe whole family as well. God Bless You. R.I.P. Mercy. You will be missed."
"Mercy was a very nice and giving lady. She has been a great friend to me over the years alway concerned about me and my children. She loved God and now gets to rejoice in him. God bless you Mercy and thank you for your kindness you will be missed for you were a power of good and light in the darkness. My condolences to your husband, children, and family. May you find peace in her memories and that she is loved you all very much. God bless! "
"Phillip & Rani, May God give you and Family the strength and comfort thru these days of sorrow. I will miss Mercy deeply with the energy and beautiful God given Smile & Laugh she had. I enjoyed working with her and that she took over hours and was always there when I needed to have a sub. Again she will be missed but not forgotten because of her memories will be with us forever. God bless you."
"She was a truly inspirational woman.We are sorry for her family's loss. "
"To all of Mercy's family. I had the priviledge of knowing Mercy through one of her previous employers and have to tell you that I have never met a sweeter person. She always had a big smile on her face and made you feel like a dear friend. I am very saddened to her of her passing and agree that Heaven has been given a great Angel to watch over us."
"Dear Rani and family, I am so very sorry for your loss but glad for heavens gain of a very wonderful lady. I only met Mercy a few times and remember her when we attended Assembly of God years ago. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. In Christian Love, Grace Steckman"