Mary Nathan

Mary Nathan, 92, of Washington, DC/Mumbai, India, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Mary was born in Coimbatore, India on May 24, 1932, to Bernadette and Prakas Chettiar. She married Arul on September 11, 1948, in Bombay. They started their life together in very humble circumstances and journeyed through all that life threw at them with faith, hope and trust in the Lord. During their marriage of nearly 39 years, they welcomed four girls and four boys. They built their family on love, faith, prayer, laughter, joy, fellowship, charity, giving, sharing, integrity, hard work, dedication, education and never giving up. She was a homemaker who wore multiple hats depending on the situation – wife, mother, friend, counselor, breadwinner, grandmother. She was the matriarch of this large family that welcomed others through marriages and births of the next generation. 

In August 2001, Mary went to live with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, DC, and was there till her death. During this time, she was welcomed into their family and built lasting friendships and relationships with the nuns, residents and staff. She had a keen love for gardening and was known to be the resident gardener which earned her the moniker ‘Plant lady’. She loved her plants and nurtured and brought back to life several that were dropped at her door.

Mary leaves behind a large family who will continue to love her and remember her fondly. She is survived by her children and grandchildren and their spouses in the United States, India and Canada. 

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother Peter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday July 13, 2024 at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St NW, Washington, DC 20015.

Repast luncheon will be held at St. Paul’s Center located at the Rock Creek Cemetery, 201 Allison Street NW, Washington, DC 20011.

Final Resting is a private ceremony at St. Paul’s Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor or mailed to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 4200 Harewood Rd NE, Washington, DC 20017.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the nuns, nurses and support staff at the Little Sisters of the Poor who have been her family for nearly 23 years.

Additional details are also at https://everloved.com/life-of/mary-nathan/