HAVERHILL, Mass.—For more than 50 years, Zarouhi (Sara) Vosgarichian was all heart and soul when it came to the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), both inside her own community and with events that demanded international attention.
Whether it was coming to the assistance of a local family in need or world strife in Lebanon, she was always there to answer the call of humanity.
Her chapter was not the biggest by any means, but stood in the forefront of devoted service to humanity like all others. Like herself, Haverhill was a little chapter with a big heart.
Members celebrated their festivities, commemorated their historical events, and conducted fund-raisers to subsidize their charities.
Her husband Hemayag was a 50-year Gomideh member and genocide survivor. Their family didn’t include biological children of their own. The Armenian community was their family.
Saturday night suppers at the River Street club gave her every opportunity to spread her wares. While the men indulged in their game of cards and tavlou, Sara and her ARS sisters prepared dinner. Whether it was kheyma or chicken with pilaf, it would be enough to fill a tapeworm and there was always room for dessert.
“The ARS has given me a reason to practice my heritage,” she used to say. “Our chapter in Haverhill stands with others throughout the world in serving our people.”
Sara passed March 16 at Penacook Place Nursing Home, where she spent the final weeks of her life. She was 90 and left behind a legacy for goodness and compassion.
Her funeral service took place March 20 at Armenian Church at Hye Pointe where family and friends gathered to pay tribute. Burial took place in Linwood Cemetery by her husband.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Armenian Relief Society, 80 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.
Sara, as she was affectionately known, immigrated from Cuba and the Castro regime to work in the shoe mills of this city. It was a haven for any refugee, including Armenians, who toiled their fingers to the bone, thankful for the opportunity to live in peace and worship in security.
They spoke their language, practiced their culture, and kept their ethnicity gallantly in the forefront. It was a world that knew no compromise.
Sara attended evening classes at Haverhill High School in an effort to better herself and particularly enjoyed hosting dinners for her family, including her many nieces and nephews. People in her neighborhood would drop by and receive the same hospitality.
She kept updated with all the latest Armenian news through the Hairenik and Armenian Weekly. Among her best moments was taking the train into Boston and attending an Armenian concert (hantess) with her brothers, Daniel and Levon Balian, and their families.
“Sara was everybody’s best friend,” says Levon. “In times when she had taken ill, she never complained and always tried to remain positive. Everyone who knew her loved her and she will be missed.”
Tom Vartabedian
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Uncle Hemeyag Vosgerichian was my uncle. First cousin to my mother Khatun Vosgerichian- Sara took wonderful care of my uncle . They were two loving couple. I came from Los Angeles and visited them in Haverhill a couple of times. Hemeyag was the last survivor of GENOCIDE from my family. I will miss Aunty Sara and uncle Hemeyag. God Bless their soul.