Sister Geeta Kochettonnil was born on the 1st of October, 1951, in the serene village of Poonjar, near Palai in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. She was the firstborn child of Kurian Mathew Kochettonnil and Marialkutty Mathew Parackal, a devout Christian couple deeply rooted in faith and family values.
Growing up in a close-knit household, she was surrounded by love and warmth. She shared her childhood with three brothers — Baby Kurian, Joey Kurian, and Jimmy Kurian — and three sisters —Alice Jose Podoor, Sally Jose Apprakudiyil, and Lincy Shiju Parapurathu. Her parents instilled in their children a sense of discipline, reverence, and devotion to God.
In August 1962, the family sold their ancestral property in Poonjar and migrated to Malabar, in Kannur district, fulfilling her grandfather’s wish that the entire family should live together. This move marked a new chapter in young Geeta’s life, one that would shape her memories and deepen her familial bonds.
Sister Geeta Kochettonnil
Her early years were simple and sheltered, revolving primarily around school and church. Accompanied by her father’s younger siblings to the school and the church, she grew up in an environment largely untouched by outside influences. Music and dance were part of her inheritance — gifts passed down through generations. Every evening, following family prayers, the house would come alive with melodies. Her father and two of his brothers owned a variety of musical instruments, and her uncles and aunts filled the air with their songs. These home concerts became cherished family traditions that reflected the family’s shared joy and creativity.
From her earliest days, Geeta’s life bore the quiet mark of a divine calling — a subtle yet persistent whisper to serve God and His people. Baptized Mary, she grew up with a deep yearning in her heart: a yearning to be wholly given to God as a missionary.
Her vocation to religious life, as she would later say, was something of a holy accident. Though she was educated by the Clarist nuns, she had no particular inclination toward religious life at that time. Yet, in ways only Providence can explain, she found herself in Mokama on June 24th, guided by what she often called “God’s mysterious ways.”
Sister Geeta Kochettonnil with school boys in Vasai (Bassein)
After completing her matriculation, Geeta attended a retreat that revealed to her the calling for missionary life. It was there that she met Sisters Josephine Naduvilekunnel (former SCN) and Ann George Mukalel, SCN, encounters that would quietly shape the course of her future.
In 1968, she entered the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, beginning a journey of faith and service that would span decades. She began her novitiate in 1973, made her first vows on June 16, 1976, and professed her final vows on December 27, 1982 — moments she described as profound milestones of surrender and grace.
Sister Geeta began her missionary journey as a teacher, a role through which she touched countless young lives. Her teaching ministry took her across various institutions, including Nazareth Vidya Niketan in Chatra, Nazareth Academy in Gaya, St. Augustine School in Vasai, Creane Memorial School in Gaya, and St. Michael’s School in Sale, among others.
Sister Geeta Kochettonnil sits by as a student sings a special Hindi prayer for her at Creane Memorial School in Gaya, February 1981
She was known for her dedication to education, her compassion toward students, and her commitment to excellence. Her classrooms were not merely places of learning but spaces of encouragement, where young minds were nurtured with kindness and moral strength.
Throughout her journey, Geeta drew inspiration from several mentors and fellow Sisters, particularly Sisters James Leo Goldsborough, Eugenia Muething, and Margaret Rodericks. Their example of faith and resilience left a lasting impression on her heart. She also deeply cherished her friendships, which provided her with unwavering support during times of trial and transition.
Her days were anchored in prayer, reflection, and reading, particularly of psycho-spiritual works that nourished her mind and spirit. In solitude and silence, she found the strength to persevere and the grace to remain steadfast in her vocation.
Sister Geeta Kochettonnil
As Geeta looked back upon her life, her heart overflowed with gratitude — gratitude to God, who guided her steps; to her family, who nurtured her roots; and to her SCN family, who shaped her spirit and mission. She remained deeply thankful for the love, care, and opportunities that moulded her into the person she became — a woman of prayer, service, and enduring faith.
The later years of Geeta’s life were marked by significant challenges, especially concerning her health. Yet, even in suffering, her faith never wavered. She often reflected, “I bow down before my God who has sustained me through thick and thin.”
Sister Geeta Kochettonnil hard at work
Written by Sister Mary Margaret Nirmala, November 2025
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