Home Industry Education Mariamma Varkey, mother of GEMS Education chairman, passes away She was 89 years of age by Gulf Business April 1, 2021 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. Tags Award GEMS Education Mariamma Varkey Pioneer UAE 0 Comments You might also like UAE’s ADNOC keen to explore hydrogen market with India’s public, private sectors UAE partners with Japan for mission to send ‘Rashid’ rover to the moon Jail time, fines for illegally raising funds in the UAE Uber offers free rides for Covid-19 vaccinations at Mediclinic centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi