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Mrs. Mani has made a tremendous impact on many of us through the years. To honor her legacy, we are collecting memories, thoughts, and pictures about Mrs. Mani on this virtual bulletin board. Please simply double click anywhere on the right or left of the background and a window will open up for you to share.

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Celebrating the Life of Mrs Rebekah Mani

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Celebrating the Life of Mrs Rebekah Mani

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Video recording December 9th 2020

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Celebrating the Life of Mrs Rebekah Mani

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Biographical Statement Mrs. Rebekah Mani

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Biographical Statement Mrs. Rebekah Mani

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As I have been processing Amma's aging process, her hospitalization and now her leaving her earthly life, so many words have filled my heart.  As friends and family have been communicating with me to help me with the pain, I asked each one to send a phrase or word that Amma, Appukka, Appusma, Ammom, Rebekah or Becky.  As the words poured in, I was reminded how really selfless Amma is/was.

Generosity: incredibly so! giving, thinking of others, buying the thoughtful, right small gifts.

Good hearted: kind to people

Brave: tackling the unknown with full speed. No wonder she loved watching Little House on the Praire. She had a pioneer spirit to survive when faced with new challenges.

Keeping in touch: her phone book was the best, she checked in often. Especially with Shokko.

Determined and strong: always finding a way to make the trip to India to see her beloved family.

Meticulous: Bed made, hair combed, teeth brushed, and dressed every day.

her jewellery choices to match her saris.

Creative: Tomato chutney was created by amma and loved by so many.  Biriyani was always accompanied by Ammom's tomato chutney and we sold it at Chacko's bakery. Her simple yet artsy flower arrangements.

Nourishing people: her food, her profession: selfishly it was her jams and chutneys that I loved, her ability to always keep the snack container full for my quick visits.

Talent: her embroidery of dresses, coaties and her smocking. tatting, making pin cushions from leftover mussel shells.

So many more words but the most meaningful words are

Adoration and love for her family, especially her siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, classmates, co-workers, friends and grandchildren and her sweet spot for Bodhi.

I am grateful for her deep faith, her ever enduring stamina, her vision that has kept our family and friends circle surrounded by love.

Amma I miss and love you.

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First I would like to offer my condolences on the loss of your Mom. She was such a quiet force. I just loved her. I loved talking to her because she was always so full of information and never afraid to say what she thought. She was also always passionate about dietetics in the US as well as India.

Debra Sullivan

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Mrs. Rebekah Mani lived commitment to the fullest.  Her life was a dedication to her faith, her family, and her calling to help others - through teaching the importance of nutrition and expanding her mission to reach so many.  The resolve she demonstrated to uphold her beliefs is inspiring. Personally and professionally, she was kind, gracious and charming . I will always remember her generosity, her enchanting smile, the sparkle in her eyes. She channeled that sparkle into so many energies. I am blessed to have known her.

Beth Hope Duffield

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Sometimes you have the fortune to connect with a special person.  
You may not fully understand why they are special, but you see something.  
You hope to get to know them better, but there is such depth that it takes longer.
Then your time to do so is lost as with Rebekah.
After reading the prior remembrances, I recognize that there never would have been enough time.  But I am pleased that I was fortunate enough to have to had some time with her and gained so much because of that limited time.
“Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know.  But I do not approve.  And I am not resigned.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay

Stan

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was always accompanied by Ammom's tomato chutney and we sold it at Chacko's bakery. Her simple yet artsy flower arrangements.
Nourishing people: her food, her profession: selfishly it was her jams and chutneys that I loved, her ability to always keep the snack container full for my quick visits.
Talent: her embroidery of dresses, coaties and her smocking. tatting, making pin cushions from leftover mussel shells.
So many more words but the most meaningful words are 
Adoration and love for her family, especially her siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, classmates, co-workers, friends and grandchildren and her sweet spot for Bodhi.
I am grateful for her deep faith, her ever enduring stamina, her vision that has kept our family and friends circle surrounded by love.
Amma I miss and love you.
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Rebekah Mani, BS, MS RD- Employed as a Registered Dietitian (RD) at University of Kansas Medical Center for over 50 years died July 28th, 2020.  She was welcomed by and appreciated by her colleagues, RDs, RN’s & MDs, & others including food service employees & dietetic assistants.  Her students have much praise for her, such as- understanding them, willingness to take time for them to understand medical knowledge responsible for renal disease, common sense in planning for renal diets, limitation of fluids when needed. In other words, Dietetic Nutrition for Renal Disease which was Rebecca’s speciality.  She was very knowledgeable on the subject. Mrs. Mani frequently made suggestions to students, RNs, & some MDs regarding Renal Disease & Clinical Nutrition. All of whom appreciated Rebekah Mani’s  knowledge and action.  Patients who had to follow a renal restriction at home were especially willing to try all Rebekah’s suggestions to them.  Patients often called to tell her their problem or their satisfaction about information about Diet & Renal Disease. She presented papers at several International Congress of Dietetics meetings, always on her specialty of Dietetic Nutrition for Renal Disease.  Following her retirement she became more active in the Univ. of Kansas Medical Center Auxiliary, sometimes in the gift-shop as a clerk, occasionally in a storeroom taking inventory, in a special quiet room for parents of very ill children,as President & later as an Honorary Member, etc.  Prayers for her and her family. Often words for Rebekah are, “She will really be missed.”

Debbie- Hope this will do.  Several “older” RDs gave short examples, including Pat Stein, Judy Wegman, Betty Iorg.

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Appukochamma was a giant. Full of love and wisdom. I know what she meant to her kids and grandkids. I can't imagine how much harder all this is being on the other side of the world. I am sure the messages of love and admiration pouring in across the world will remind you of how much your mother meant to so many people, including myself.

You are in our thoughts.

Love,

Tanya and Siddarth

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I knew her from the early 1950’s much before she married my brother and much before I married her first cousin Renu. She was the daughter on our school head master Mr Kuruvilla Jacob. We- my brother and I were in the school hostel and the head master and family lived on the floor above the hostel. We , the hostel boys were scared of being caught doing some mischief by the head master or the family which included Appukka!  And we tried our best to stay out of their sight which was not successful many times and it ended  with dire consequences .

A lot of water flowed under the bridge from that time and the families became closer due to marriage alliances .

My brother and I were close and right from our school and in college. I remember going to the college and hostel days when my brother was in Madras Christian college and CMC Vellore. Appukka was already part of our family. After My brother was married they lived in Vellore and then in Kansas. We were in contact all the time and visited each other often. We have many many pleasant memories of our association all though these years.

Appukka was always kind, considerate ,generous and  helpful and she was always thoughtful in what each needed and gifted appropriate items. Though small ,a lot of thought went into her choice of items. We are recipients of her generosity and thoughtfulness in many ways. It could be a pair of scissors ( which is hung next to our refrigerator which is most useful and used) or a bathroom squeegee ( the best we have had which keeps our glass shower stall clean) or two matching tins to store biscuits or two correlle dishes matching the ones she gifted the previous year were all evidence of her thoughtfulness . She did all this with absolute grace and love. She even thought about our maids and brought them appropriate gifts. Her old saris and small nick backs.

Her last act of thoughtfulness was a gift she left with Renu for Rhea , Jackey’s and Amalia’s one year old daughter. I attach the pictures with her gift wrapping. It’s her own handiwork. Ranji and Appukka has came to India in the hope of joining us for a Family get together in Athens for my 80th birthday. Amalia had even chosen a hotel near their house for their stay with minimum amount of steps to climb which Appukka appreciated and acknowledged . But alas this was not to be and we have only her thoughtfulness in the form of this over coat for Rhea.

I can go on and on but suffice to say that with Appukka's demise it an end of an era which is difficult to replace. She was a good soul. We will certainly miss her.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Roy.

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Many thoughts come to mind as I think back on my almost 40 years knowing Rebekah, and trying to keep this short, what stands out is:

WELCOMING.

I am one of the “adopted daughters”, brought in by Mani, but accepted and welcomed by Rebekah.  Over the years -her teaching of the Indian culture (gifts to bring when traveling, do’s and don’t s ); her attempt to teach Indian cooking (but why learn when she would cook for you, or take you to an Indian restaurant & explain all the food); her gifts with meaning (a bangle, a jar of chutney, an Indian ornament for my Christmas tree); and, her stories & memories (much laughter)— ALL these things and many more made me feel welcome and part of the family.

There is a difference between including someone and welcoming someone.  Thank you for welcoming me.

MEW, or Mary Ellen

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I remember meeting Rebekah about 40 years ago when I was working at KUMC Burn Center. Those years were full of lots of energy and first experiences for me. I can still see Rebekah consistently welcoming me into the Mani home with a smile and a great dinner. She enjoyed having friends fill her house and always had a smile and calming presence. As our friendship grew so did the cooking lessons for the delicious Indian food I have grown to love! One great memory I have is on one afternoon I decided to practice making her Chicken Masala. To my surprise it came out great! Next,

I called Mrs Mani to invite her and Dr Mani for dinner! And they came! Such a success!

I also remember countless lessons on Indian culture as we traveled to India and Malaysia. I needed lots of guidance which I will forever be grateful to her.

She had a silent presence that was strong and comforting. I remember her for the laughs and quick responds to stories that Mani would be telling. Her role

was to keep him on track and accurate.

Rebekah was a fountain of knowledge and she would quietly share stories of fabric, clothing, art, and cuisine of many different cultures. She would share her talent with sewing projects that she prepared for others.

And lastly, I will always remember Rebekah’s endless supply of mixture, mango juice, tomato chutney, and veggies badjis readily available for any visit! I am so grateful to have known her and for the influences she has had on my life.

With love,

Chris Crawford Compton

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Close Neighbor & Colleague at KU Medical Center

I’ve know the Mani family soon after they came to the US in, I think, 1972. I met Rebecca at work. I appreciated her for the great work with her renal patients. We both had our own responsibilities to our patients. We talked often. Rebecca remarked that they were looking for a home. We happened to have one for sale on the street next & behind our home. The family came over one afternoon & met some of our neighbors. After that they moved in. We have missed them greatly after retirement & their move to Lakeview. We had & shared many occasions together. The neighborhood had children that literally grew up together.  Rebecca was famous for her Chutney making. We always remembered to return her container  at Christmas, hoping to have another the next year.
Rebecca is missed already, although few of the neighborhood activities are happening today because of the pandemic.  Rebecca was very thoughtful about always attending the monthly luncheon of KUMC friends who retired about the same time.  When those luncheons begin again, she’s going to be missed by the remainder of us.
I think often of Rachel who still lives in our neighborhood.  We have been so fortunate to be invited to many functions & parties for both Rebecca or Mani  such as birthdays, holidays, etc. Rebecca has passed on kindness of hers to the gracious, joyful and thoughtfulness of Rachel.
We have loved them all, and we miss the family and think of them missing Rebecca. She was always a strong person in their family.  We pray for all in this time of sadness.
Marilyn & “Luke” Clarence

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Remembering Appukka Rebecca Mani

My earliest recollections of Appukkakochamma was when I stayed at their upstairs home in the Madras Christian College High School campus for the 8 months that my parents were in the United Kingdom on furlough in 1958. Kuruvilla Jacob (Babychayan) our Headmaster, always referred to as HM, wisely suggested to my parents that by doing so, this would allow another student to stay at the Hostel for the whole year. Sulo was my guide and solver of problems and I stayed in Chakko’s room when he was away at CMC Vellore. Appukkakochamma would visit from time to time since she was earning her Master’s and I believe interning in the Nutrition Department at Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital, so my interactions with her were infrequent. I had attended her wedding to Ranjichayan and remember the large reception on the grounds at our school.

As a student at CMC, I saw her more often during the hospital campus rotation when the nutrition department with her retinue would head to the YWCA for the traditional mid-morning coffee and cutlet refreshments. She would stop and acknowledge me in passing. I recall that the State-of-the-Art Kitchen that she planned and established for the Dietary Department and as Director, demonstrated to President V.V. Giri at the inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony.

Years later, after one of their trips to the USA, she invited me to a barbeque at their home which was a novel concept at the CMC campus. I remember a grill fashioned from a large clay pot [“Chatti”] covered by a simple metal grate and hamburgers cooked over hot coals which I was told was designed by her and implemented by Ranjichayan. Through this and other examples I learned that she had an extraordinary ability to organize and innovate, often with simplicity, in her domain of nutrition and food service.

Many years later, when we were in California, while Ravi was living in Long Beach, she and he and sometimes she alone, would visit and reminisce about family which she regarded as her highest priority. She would recount stories of my mother since she was a much younger first cousin, shared the same Christian name and about their youth and young adulthood. Her organizational abilities were again demonstrated when we offered our home for Ravi and Tina’s pre-wedding dinner. She ordered the food, organized the display and seating with so much ease that we hardly noticed that all this was occurring with so little effort on our part. She excelled in this ability at Raghu and Julie’s wedding and also in setting up Rachel’s bakery in their city.

She was a smiling face at the annual CMC Alumni “Gathering Of The Clan or GOTC” meeting for years, always enquiring about ourselves, our children, updating us on news of her family, often interjected with baking and cooking tips. She volunteered for CMC wholeheartedly, served on the Vellore Board, supported Ranjichayan with the Kansas-Vellore Collaboration as well as in the setting up of the Modale House on campus. CMC was in their DNA and what they accomplished serves as a remarkable legacy.

On a personal note, she would send cards to us at Christmas and on my birthdays (I marveled at her ability to remember) with updates on themselves as well as news on the Kunnenkeril family. In all my written communications, even in my younger days, I had addressed her as Apookakochamma. She never corrected me. I can see her smiling now knowing that I did get it right at last.

We shall miss seeing her again but our loss is only a fraction of the loss and devastation for her family. May God give you all solace and support at this time of sadness and may she rest in peace.

Satish (Jacob) and Shirley Korula

September 1. 2020

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A gentle and sweet person. She inspired young minds through her life's experiences. From Shopping to cooking, from making choices to adjustment & adaptation, ma'am would have a tip to make our life better. She is truly missed and fondly remembered. My sincere prayers are with sir. Anita Kiruba, Modale Scholar , 2016

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As I stated above, we were so lucky to have Dr. and Mrs. Mani educate us and, in some cases, escort us throughout India.  Memories we will always cherish. Doug, Lisa, Aubrey and Cole Bittel

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Mrs. Mani loved serving this at a winter tea. The original recipe was from her grandmother.

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Mrs. Mani once shared one of her experiences as a dietician at KU Med.  Forgive me if I don't have the details quite right. It's been some time since she shared this story, but its touching meaning has stayed with me....                                                         A patient from India had been admitted to the hospital.  His doctors, nurses and the dieticians were troubled by his behavior.  When they came into his room they'd find him lying on the floor next to his bed.  They would get him back into bed and bring him a meal, but when they returned to take away his tray, he hadn't eaten and again he was lying on the floor. After some discussion they wanted to order a psych evaluation for him.
When Mrs. Mani heard that he wasn't eating she visited him in his room. She immediately understood.  She explained to his caregivers that he was lying on the floor because that was the way he had slept in India his whole life, on a mat on the floor.  He simply wasn't comfortable raised off the ground on a bed with a mattress.  He wasn't eating because he wanted Indian food.
What a gift Mrs. Mani was to KU Med, not only because of her exceptional dietetic knowledge, but also because of her invaluable empathy and understanding of patients' cultural needs that extend beyond prescribed medical care.
I have known the Manis since their family moved from India to Kansas City several decades ago.  Originally the plan was for them to come for 5 years so that Dr. Mani could help establish the newly opened Burn Center.  Five years has grown into nearly five decades.
I so admire the deliberate and thoughtful ways in which Mrs. Mani created a meaningful life here while remaining true to her Indian heritage.  She offered those who knew her an invaluable bridge between cultures.
In 2004 she and Dr. Mani invited members of the Old Mission United Methodist Church to join them on a trip to India.   I was so fortunate to be included.  We traveled to Delhi, Chennai, Vellore and Kerala.  We saw the Taj Mahal, rode elephants and walked on a beach at the Bay of Bengal. We rode on an overnight train to Kerala where we visited the Mani cardamom plantation.  It was a remarkable experience to see India through their eyes.  Mrs. Mani had planned and orchestrated all the details of this truly special, memory-making trip.
Often when we were together Mrs. Mani was quiet and soft spoken, but there was no mistaking her strong presence.  I am so grateful to both Dr. and Mrs. Mani for the many ways they have touched the lives of the Robinson family.  We will miss her and her many gifts very much.
Nancy Robinson

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“Not all of us can do Great things, but we can all do small things with GREAT LOVE.”

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“Not all of us can do Great things, but we can all do small things with GREAT LOVE.”

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Kimberly Connelly

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I was a dietetic intern when I first met Mrs. Mani.  She was known to be outspoken but knew her stuff.  I never had her directly as a preceptor, but she reviewed some of her renal patients with me so I would know what to look for in their labs and what to recommend.
She invited me to her home one weekend when she and Dr. Mani were hosting some Malaysian PTs and OTs, who were there to learn how they did things on the burn unit.  I'm so pleased to say that I got to eat her cooking.  I never knew that you could make curried eggs before.  Hers were delicious.
When I graduated and began working, she ALWAYS remembered me whenever she called me about a patient transferring to my hospital.  Even when I moved out of state and then returned 2 years later, I saw her in the Auxiliary gift shop and wondered if she would remember me.  Of course she did!  She remembered everything about me. I so enjoyed stopping in and chatting with her when I saw her there.
I believe she also edited the D&N Newsy Nibbles booklet.  I wish that would come back.  It knitted the faculty and students, past and present, so well.
I was so sad when I heard of her passing. She and Dr. Mani have a special place in my heart, and I will miss her.