Thrissur: Thankam Paul (96) of Panikkulam House at Mariapuram Hill Gardens, Kuttanellur, who continued to drive to church and the market even after crossing 90 years, is no more. She began driving at the age of 18 and continued till she was 95, having driven until six months ago. She passed away on Sunday. Thankam Paul, who even drove foreign-made cars, ensured her driving licence was renewed on time. Accidents stayed away from her journeys.

At the age of 90, she even walked the ramp hand in hand with her fourth-generation descendant, Amy—then a first-grade student—for a beauty contest. Wife of late Dr Panikkulam PG Paul, Thankam learned driving while living in Madurai. She initially learned to drive to take her son to school and to buy household groceries. Later, she drove back home to Kerala on her own with her children.

Whether on long journeys or while living abroad with her elder son, she never hesitated to take the wheel. Often saying that learning to drive made life easier, Thankam Paul insisted that every girl who came to her home should learn driving.