Obituary of Mary K Alphonse

Mrs. Mary Alphonse, 78, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 under the care of Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Mary was born in the city of Kochi, Kerala State, India to Elizabeth and C.A. John. The eldest of six children, Mary married K.J. Alphonse (1941-1999) on January 29, 1969. A Kerala native, she spent much of her married life in Tirupur, Tamilnadu, India mastering a new language and culture while raising two children, Bruno and Binu.

After her husband’s passing, she returned to her hometown, Kochi where she lived close to her siblings and their families. Several years later, she moved to the U.S. to live with her sons Binu in Cary, North Carolina and Bruno in Monroe, Connecticut and her seven grandchildren. Mary adapted well to yet another new culture and made America her home.

Mary is survived by her two sons Bruno Antony and Binu Joseph, daughters-in-law Shanthi Antony and Reena Joseph, grandchildren Maria Antony, Monica Antony, Michelle Antony, Melanie Antony, Kris Joseph and Ria Joseph. She is also survived by her siblings Antony and Lilly in India.

Mary’s grandson Ryan Joseph passed away in October, 2019 at the age of 17.

Besides time spent with family, she enjoyed cooking, trying new foods and watching and participating in Malayalam prayers on youtube. She loved talking and catching up with family around the world. Mary loved to entertain guests with her culinary expertise, her famous mom chicken/beef stew and pork vindaloo were loved by everyone. She will be fondly missed but remembered always.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted by Fr. Daniel Oschwald of Mother Teresa Catholic Church at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary, NC on Friday, May 15th, 2020, following Mass, Mary will be buried next to her grandson Ryan Joseph at Wake Memorial Park. Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, both events will be attended only by the immediate family members.

While we are not able to hold a large gathering for her extended family and friends at both ceremonies, her family greatly appreciates the support from her close relatives especially her niece Ajaya and husband Michael Jonas, nephew Justin and wife Liza, sister-in law Margaret Andrews and her husband Andrews Chelladorai, brother-in-law Xavier Francis and his wife Sushama Francis and relative and close friend Gladys Abraham to name a few. The family would love to request everyone that knew her to please send any pictures or memories to rememberingmary2020@gmail.com.

The Alphonse family is under the care of Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.