Joyce Ponniah, a longtime resident of Mylapore at G. N. Chetty Street, passed away on
May 8, slowly fading away at the age of 94.
But her memory was sharp till the very end. Till recently, family members used to enjoy listening to her stories of old times.
Joyce Ponniah was the third of the four daughters of Prof. B. Bonnel of the Zoology Department of Madras Christian College, Tambaram.
She had her graduate and postgraduate education at MCC and soon after became a lecturer of history at Lady Doak College in Madurai.
After her marriage to Crossley Ponniah, who was on the staff of the Reserve Bank of India, she moved to Chennai. Crossley was a well-known musician and an organist at St. Marks Church at Broadway, and later at the CSI St. Thomas English Church in San Thome.
Joyce Ponniah continued her teaching career at Sir Theagaraya College for Men, at
Tondiarpet as professor of history till her retirement. She was a devout Christian, attending
church regularly in San Thome as long as she could.
She lost her husband in 1983.
Her family said she was very generous towards the helpers, and her children enabled her to take care
of the helpers’ medical, educational and financial needs. She spent her final years in Tambaram.
Joyce Ponniah is survived by a daughter, Dr. Rita Christopher and a son, Frederick Ponniah.
Contact – Joyce Ponniah’s brother-in-law, Angel Ponniah – 9940191035
- Tribute by Christleda Ponniah
