Mathew 25:23 says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”
Sister Lizzy George, a radiant beacon of divine love, has ascended to the heavenly realms to share her master’s happiness, leaving the virtue of her exemplary life and indelible mark of her grace and compassion upon our hearts. With a soul as pure as morning dew and a spirit as blemish less as the heavens, she devoted her life to the sacred service of humanity.
Sr. Lizzy George – God’s loving child was born in God’s own country – Kerala, Trichur Dt., at Ollur, to the pious couple Kunjuvareed and Thressiakutty on 12th September 1958. Her father was a business man and her mother was a home-maker. Sr. Lizzy was a second among eight children. She completed her schooling at St. Raphael’s High School, Ollur and her pre-degree at St. Mary’s College, Trichur.
Being the second eldest daughter at home, from the age of 10, she took great care of her family. She helped her mother in running errands outside, looking after her younger brothers and sisters and doing house-hold chores. Born into a pious family, Sr. Lizzy was blessed to relish Christ since her childhood. Her uncle was a Salesian Priest and her aunts were missionary nuns. The daily family rituals such as prayers, mass and catechism were nourishments for her spiritual growth as a school student. She looked forward eagerly for the home-visit of her religious aunties and priest uncle because their presence for 15 days at home was considered as a time of special grace for the God-fearing family. Sr. Lizzy’s childhood was blessed in every way.
Her calling was as early as in the 8th standard. One Wednesday after-noon, when she came home for lunch, she saw her mother carrying an old beggar in her arms into the main hall, as he had fainted in front of the house. She ensured that the man was fine by sprinkling water, giving him coffee and arranged a taxi for him to get home safely. Infact, he was a rich man and the father of 6 boys but was chased out of his house by his daughters-in-law. Sr. Lizzy’s mother considered the beggars’ arrival as the visit of Jesus to the home and ensured that especially on Wednesdays many beggars were given alms at her home. This inspired Sr. Lizzy with a question in her; that if a house-wife could do so much, how much more could a religious person do? It was at that moment that Sr. Lizzy decided to become a missionary.
Inspite of her mother’s disapproval of her decision, it was with the support of her dad, her grandmother together with her priest uncle and religious aunties that she completed her higher studies. Before joining the convent, sister completed her B.A., English Literature in 1983 from Holy Cross College, Tiruchirapalli and B.Ed. in 1985 from Stella Matituna College, Chennai. It is interesting to note that in all her three years of her stay as a student at Holy Cross College hostel she never missed even a single mass as she firmly believed that attending the Eucharistic celebration gave her renewed vigour and vitality to further serve our Lord Jesus.
She wanted to join the FMM congregation, but moved by the kindness of the sisters of the cross and the hospitability her priest uncle received whenever he visited her as a student in the college hostel campus, she decided to join the Holy Cross Congregation. Sister has many a times mentioned that “I am happy about my choice and I thank my God immensely”. Thus, her chosen journey of purpose began with the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, Province of Tiruchirapalli.
June 1985 marked her entrance to Pre-Novitiate at Cantonment, Trichy and in June 1986 she joined the Novitiate at Puthur, Trichy where she made her first profession at Puthur, Trichy on 31st May 1988 – this same day 36 years ago. Today is a witness that at every phase she truly led a Christ- driven life and will continue to inspire us as a spiritually anchored and deeply God fearing person. Since her final profession on 28th May 1996, she has kept herself extremely busy by pursuing higher studies in French.
Between the years 1988 to 1997, Sister served as an English teacher, a history teacher and as a boarding mistress in Little Flower High School, Guntur; St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School-Vadugarpet; Holy Cross Matriculation School, Vellore and St. Joseph’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Cantonment.
As an obliging young nun without hesitation Sister ventured into a newer horizon that sooner became her forte of expertise. In 1995, she joined M.A French at Madurai Kamaraj University and later in 2007 completed M.Phil in French from the same University.
Sister Lizzy is most renowned for her valuable service as a dedicated teacher of the French tongue, whose passion and wisdom in the lessons taught by her, transported her students to the French shores. Teaching French since 1997, every nuanced phrase of hers was a joy and every new word was a delight to her spell bound students. For more than two decades, Sr. Lizzy has kindled among hundreds of students, a lifelong, fervent blaze of love for the fantastic French language and culture anew. As the Head of the Department of French, she instilled in young minds the virtues of self-discipline and resilience. Being a strict disciplinarian herself in both personal and professional life, she practiced what she preached. Sister has carved a niche for herself in the portals of the history of annals of Holy Cross College by the dint of her persistent diligence. She also proved her mettle as the Vice Principal from 2014 to 2018 and had also extended her motherly care to the hostel students as a warden since 1999, on and off till 2009.
While heading the Department of French, Sr. Lizzy George also took up the post of Controller of Examinations from June 2013 to 2014. After a short break she resumed the position in 2017 after which she retired. Yet, sister has continued to serve as the Controller of Examinations till her very last day. Her punctuality was a testament to her respect for time and commitment, reflecting her remarkable dedication that inspired all her colleagues in the Controller’s Office all around her. During her tenure as a Controller of Examinations she was extremely sincere and highly meticulous in her work giving her undivided attention to every single detail, as she felt that even the smallest mistake could adversely affect a student’s life.
Generosity and graciousness were the chief features of her charming persona. Sr. Lizzy was a very patient listener to all the distresses of the workers in the campus. She would not just lend a sympathetic ear but also an empathetic hand to all those who approached her for any help, be it material or spiritual. Her fondness for the adopted children whom she lived with during her stay at Mambalasalai from 2004 to 2015 was seen even long after she was transferred to the Fort community. She used to visit them often and shower them with her motherly affection. There was always a subtle humour she had in her daily conversations and child-like wonder to appreciate simple things. Deeply humane, considerate, simple and prayerful, Sister Lizzy George’s mild nature, clothed in humility, brought forth a gentle breeze of kindness in a world of chaos.
Sr. Lizzy had a fall on the fateful day of 8th May after which her health took a hit. She was given immediate treatment at GVN hospital, Trichy and she was seemingly recuperating. But, then when she took ill again she was taken to Leonard Hospital, Batlagund on the 11th of May where the Sisters of the Cross of Batlagund Community, Province of Madurai had taken good care of her. On 13th May she was transferred to Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai for further medical attention. But, even after 8 days of sterling medical attention there was no visible improvement in her condition. On 22nd May she was brought back to Leonard Hospital, Batlagund where Sr. Lizzy briefly responded to the loving care of the Doctor sisters and care takers. But, unfortunately on 30th her health deteriorated rapidly and in consultation with the Province Animator, it was decided to bring her home to the Fort Community. On her way to Trichy in the ambulance on 30th May around 7:10 a.m. her soul left for its heavenly abode to meet its Maker again. Even though her soul has left the earthly realm, we take comfort in knowing that her soul is now embraced by God’s unconditional love in the heavenly Kingdom.
Sister Lizzy George – YOU- practiced the virtues of poverty and simplicity with unparalleled poise till the end of your life. As a teacher who inspired, a trustworthy friend to be cherished, a role model for your colleagues and a living saint to those who knew you well. Sr Lizzy George, you will always hold a special place in all our hearts just as you hold a special place in heaven now before God whom you served so obediently.
We bid you an affectionate adieu dear Sr. Lizy and assure you that we will miss you till we meet in heaven.
Your loving Sisters of Nazareth Community,
Fort, Tiruchirapalli.