• January 6, 2025

Keralite student’s untimely demise in UK: Remains to be repatriated to Gujarat for final rites

Keralite student’s untimely demise in UK: Remains to be repatriated to Gujarat for final rites

LONDON Jan 6: Steny Elizabeth Shaji, a 27-year-old UK Malayalam student pursuing MSc Psychology at the East London University, tragically passed away on New Year’s Day.

Hailing from Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Steny was residing in Rajghat, Gujarat with her family. Her parents, Shaji Varghese and Kunjumol, are long-time members of the St Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church in Rajkot.

Steny’s sudden and untimely demise has left her family in shock and struggling to cope with both their grief and the mounting expenses associated with their loss. Arriving in the UK on a student visa last year, Steny held aspirations of a brighter future and a desire to alleviate the financial debts she had back in India.

Prior to her passing, Steny was reportedly experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever and a persistent cough, which prompted her to seek medical attention from her GP. However, her health failed to improve, and on the night of December 31st, her condition rapidly deteriorated. Despite receiving emergency treatment at a nearby community hospital and later being transferred to the Royal Free London NHS Hospital, her life could not be saved. Her body has since been placed in the mortuary of Barnett Royal Free London NHS Hospital.

Steny was an active member of St George’s Indian Orthodox Church in the City of London, regularly attending mass and deeply involved in the youth movement within her parish. In response to her passing, the church committee has taken the initiative to arrange services, including a public viewing, in accordance with the wishes of her family to have her body brought home for cremation. The parish priest, alongside trustee Varghese Mathai and secretary Eldhose Jacob, will be overseeing these arrangements.

As Steny Elizabeth’s family comes to terms with their devastating loss, they are faced with the overwhelming financial burden that accompanies such an untimely tragedy. Their hopes now lie in the support of their community as they navigate the challenging path ahead.