Mariamma Varkey, mother of GEMS Education chairman, passes away

Mariamma Varkey, education pioneer and the founder of the first GEMS school, has passed away. She was 89.

She was the mother of GEMS group founder and chairman, Sunny Varkey, and the grandmother of the incumbent chief executive officer, Dino Varkey.

Mariamma and her husband K.S. Varkey, moved from the Indian state of Kerala to Dubai in 1959 and set up a coaching centre in the Bur Dubai area.

We are sad to announce the passing of Madam Mariamma (Amina) Varkey, beloved mother of our Founder and Chairman Mr. Sunny Varkey. Madam Varkey is warmly remembered as a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A pioneer in education whose impact transcends generations. pic.twitter.com/xpDvzyOypy

— GEMS Education (@GEMS_ME) March 31, 2021

GEMS has also institutionalized the annual Mariamma Varkey Award for Inspirational and Outstanding Teaching, in an attempt to raise the status of the teaching profession and reward the best teachers working in GEMS schools.

Funeral rites of the late Mariamma Varkey will be held at Jebel Ali Marthoma church, local media has reported.