Aleyamma Grace Abraham

Aleyamma Grace (Philip) Abraham (known as Grace) was born on September 30, 1942 in Ayathil, Punalur, Kerala, India as the daughter of the late Reverend A.G. and Mariamma Philip. As the second-born child of four, born 12 years after their first-born son, she was named Grace as she was born “but for the grace of God”. 

She grew up in the Church of South India and was water baptized at Community Gospel Assembly of God Church in Astoria, NY as an adult. She was strong in the faith and served at times in the church as a Sunday school teacher and as a praise and worship leader.

She attended the prestigious Vellore Christian Medical College (CMC Vellore) in Tamil Nadu, and completed both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Nursing (BSN, MSN). After completing her studies, Grace moved to Bombay (Mumbai) to work at the nursing program at SNDT College.

While seeing off a friend leaving for America, Grace met her future husband, Abraham Abraham, son of Mathai and Annamma Abraham, from Ranni, Kerala, who was on a trip back to visit family, in a divinely-guided, life-changing encounter at the Bombay airport in 1972. After continued mail correspondence, they agreed to marry and were married on April 12, 1973. After the wedding, Grace joined Abraham at his home in Brunei where their son Akash was born in February 1974. The young family emigrated to the United States in January 1975 and their daughter Anita was born in December 1976, in New York.

Grace lived with her family in Queens, NY and Tappan, NY from 1975 through 2016. She worked as a nurse in pediatrics, general adult care, and finally, in an ambulatory OB-Gyn clinic in Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights, NY. She was also an amazing hostess, providing a comfortable landing at her home for many relatives and friends when they first arrived in the United States.

In January 2017, they moved to Laurel, MD to be near her daughter, Anita and family. Her son, Akash, moved to Maryland soon after to ensure they had all the care they required. Soon after Abraham passed on November 18, 2019, Grace was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and in November 2020, Joey Cook, Akash’s partner and Grace’s ‘adopted’ son, became her caretaker. Joey made sure this last leg of her journey was filled with compassion, joy and the simple pleasures of life.

Grace finished her race on August 31, 2026 at the home she shared with her sons in Laurel, MD due to natural causes, surrounded by her children. She is survived by her sons Akash and Joey, daughter Anita, son-in-law Edward, and granddaughter Elizabeth (Elsie).

Grace was compassionate and caring and attended to her immediate and extended family in every way possible. Her sweet spirit was palpable, and her tender demeanor was beloved by many. She gave her best to everyone and all were blessed by the gift of her presence.