Kannur: CPM Central Committee member and former chairperson of the Women’s Commission MC Josephine, 74, died at a hospital here on Friday. Josephine, who arrived in Kannur to attend the party congress, collapsed at the convention venue on the evening of the 9th. Josephine was rushed to the Kannur AKG Co-operative Hospital where she suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the intensive care unit. The death occurred yesterday afternoon.
Josephine was being treated for a heart condition. Relatives including his son had reached Kannur on the 9th. Josephine’s separation came before the panel of the new Central Committee was presented at the party congress. They were not included in the new committee. The Party Congress expressed its condolences on the passing of Josephine. General Secretary Sitaram Yachury presented the condolence resolution. The body was kept in public view for 3 hours on a specially prepared platform at the AKG Hospital premises.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, PB members, Central Committee members and activists paid tributes. The body was taken to Angamaly in the evening. The body, which was brought home late at night, will be laid to rest at the Angamaly Area Committee Office at 7 am today and at the Angamaly CSA Auditorium from 8 am. Later Ernakulam Govt. Transferred to Medical College. The body of her husband PA Mathai, who died 2 years ago, was also donated to the Medical College.
Josephine entered the public sphere through the student-youth-women’s movement. She has been the Vice President, All India President, President of the Women’s Development Corporation and President of the GCDA. Her husband is the late Pallipattu PA Mathai, CITU Angamaly Area Secretary. Son Manu P. Matthew. Daughter-in-law Jyotsna. Josephine was born on August 3, 1948 in Vipin Murikumpadam, Mappilassery to Chavara and Magdalena.
Joined CPM in 1978. In ’84 he reached the District Committee and in ’87 he reached the State Committee. He has been a member of the Central Committee of the party since 2002. In 1996, she became the National Vice President of the Women’s Association. He also served as Secretary of the State Warehousing Corporation Employees Union and President of the Private Hospital Workers Union. He contested from Angamaly, Mattancherry and Kochi constituencies for the Assembly and from Idukki constituency for the Lok Sabha but did not win. Angamaly Municipal Councilor for 13 years.