Geeji Balummel Padamadan

To view the livestream Mass of Christian Burial on behalf of

Mrs. Geeji Balummel Padamadan,

on Saturday, July 28, 2024, at 10 AM, please click the link below on

Saturday, July 28, 2024, at 10 AM:

Holy Family Catholic Church
Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Geeji Balummel Padamadan

SILVER LAKE - Geeji Balummel Padamadan, 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 15, 2024, surrounded by the love of her daughters, Judy, and her husband, Bob Horacek, Asha, and her husband, Dave Soulsby; son in law, Philip Brennan, and several of her eight grandchildren.

Geeji or “Amma” as she was affectionately known, was born on June 9, 1942, in Kannamaly, Kerala, India, to parents, Judith Joseph Chakimury and Joseph Balummel, of Kerala, India. Geeji was the fifth of six children born to Judith and Joseph. She was the apple of her dad’s eye from day one and he would take her with him to board meetings as his lucky charm.

She was a true tom boy growing up with a back yard that overlooked the backwaters of the Arabian Sea. She could be seen jumping in the water to pull out a snake with the intent of tormenting her little brother, Anthony. There wasn’t a tree high enough that she couldn’t conquer. She was brave and had a sharp wit from an early age and that wit stayed with her for her entire life.

Geeji married Dr. William Padamadan on January 28, 1963, in a lavish ceremony in Kannamaly, Kerala, with a parade of elephants and drummers leading them to the reception area after the wedding.

Four years after their marriage, they moved to Chicago, IL, with their two eldest children, Louis and Judy, with only $100 sewn into Geeji’s sari. A year after arriving in Chicago, they were blessed with their third child, Sarry, then with Asha, and finally their youngest, Joseph.

As her husband’s career as a cardiologist blossomed, she embraced her role of full-time mom, uber driver and talented home chef. She brought so much adventure into the lives of not just her kids, but all the kids in the neighborhood, as well as the “friends that became family” from Kerala. She crammed all the children into the station wagon for drive-in movies, ice cream feasts, and impromptu adventures in the sand dunes of Indiana. She made childhood magical and fun for all. She created masterpieces from whatever was available in the pantry and fridge, although she didn’t start out that accomplished. When she first came to the United States, William asked her to make him a cup of coffee. As soon as he drank one sip, he spit it out because instead of milk, she added buttermilk - the cartons were too similar, a rookie mistake!

William and Geeji centered their marriage and children around the Lord, the daily family rosary, and Sunday Mass, were the priority throughout their 60-year marriage. Geeji was an incredibly generous woman, always saving her gift money to give to someone in need in India. She almost never bought anything for herself, always wanting to help others. Daily masses, Eucharistic and Home Bound Ministry, were all part of her arsenal for God.

Another passion she had was for gardening and traveling (till her 70s). She and Dave would talk about their garden and what else to plant on an almost daily basis. If you would like to honor her, please plant your favorite flower or flowering tree/bush in your own garden and think of her when it blooms. She always took such delight in seeing the flowers bloom and fruit trees bearing fruit. Her joy was contagious! We would like to spread this joy!

Geeji will be remembered as a straight talking, exceedingly generous, fun-loving, adventurous and faithful wife, mother and grandmother. She will be most dearly missed.

Geeji was preceded in death by her husband, William; siblings, Josey, Franco and Alice; her sons, Dr. Louis and Joseph Padamadan, and her daughter, Sarry Brennan. She is survived by her siblings, Matthew and Anthony; children, Judy Horacek, and her husband, Bob Horacek, Asha Soulsby, and her husband, David Soulsby, Sarry’s husband, Philip Brennan; her grandchildren, Dr. William Padamadan, Joseph and Priya Soulsby, Faith, Joshua, Sarah, Lewis and Maria Brennan, as well as countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends and family.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 8 - 9:30 AM, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road in Stow, OH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday July 27, 2024, at 10 AM, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 3179 Kent Road in Stow. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 480 W. Highland Road in Northfield, followed by an Indian lunch in the lower church hall at Holy Family Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to one of the following charities: Peter’s Shadow, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223; Zelie’s Home, P.O. Box 25612, Garfield Heights, OH 44125, or to The Peter Maurin Center, P.O. Box 1105, Hudson, OH 44236.

The Mass will be live-streamed and recorded. Our mom loved the color pink. We will all be wearing some form of pink clothing to the funeral and everyone attending is welcome to join us in honoring our mom by wearing her favorite color.