Mathew Verghese

1933 - 2011

Mathew Verghese, a Palm Springs resident since 1998, arrived at his heavenly home on January 18, 2011, following a history of coronary disease and diabetes. He was 78. Whether healthy or sick, he was always kind, generous and friendly to everyone. He was genuinely interested in the lives and stories of others and captured many of his thoughts and memories on paper. His friends and family fondly recalled his very moving and gracious notes. His favorite gift to receive was stationery and stamps because he was constantly writing encouraging notes to friends living throughout the country and world. He had a strong faith, enjoyed singing in church and loved reading the Scriptures. He enjoyed being involved in feeding the homeless early in the morning and also enjoyed his men's breakfast group gatherings. He especially enjoyed boasting about the achievements of his children and grandchildren. He was born in Kerala, India, on January 12, 1933, as one of five sons and a daughter. He earned a master's degree in English and taught literature from 1955 to 1968 at Lucknow Christian College, Uttar Pradesh in India, where he met his beloved wife Anna. They were married in 1958. In 1968, Mathew, Anna and their three children arrived in the United States with a total of $40 in their pocket (the Indian government allowed a maximum of $8/person). Their first home in the U.S. was a YMCA in Dallas, near where Anna worked at Parkland Hospital as a nurse. Later the family moved to Springfield, Mo., where Mathew taught for three years at Southwest Missouri State University. Then Mathew was called by the Lord to become an ordained minister, earning a degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He served several congregations of the United Methodist Church, first in New Albany, Penn., and then in four other locations in the Central Pennsylvania Conference until his retirement in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Anna; a brother, Thomas of Tampa, Fla. and an additional brother and sister in India. Also included in the family are three children and four grandchildren, including daughter Vinita Verghese of Palm Springs, son Rajan Verghese with wife Angel and children Mathew, Christian and Molly, of Pittsford, N.Y., and daughter Sunita Cooke with husband Paul and son Dillon of San Diego, Calif. The family wishes to thank all the extremely caring nurses and doctors who attended to him over the past 12 years in Palm Springs and provided exceptional medical care. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs, 1555 East Alejo Road. Memorial donations benefiting Lucknow Christian College can be made payable to GBGM -Mathew Verghese Scholarship Fund, General Board of Global Ministries, UMC, 475 Riverside Dr., Room #1417, New York, NY 10115.