At a time when mothers throughout the country were being remembered and embraced for their extreme parenthood, Armine Saryan was being laid to rest by a community in mourning.
A quintessential mom, Mrs. Saryan passed away on May 13, two days before Mother’s Day. She was 94 and had spent the past several years living in Thousand Oaks, Calif., with a caring daughter.
“Many inside our community were fortunate to know Mrs. Saryan before she moved to California following the death of her husband Sarkis,” said Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, pastor, St. Gregory Church in North Andover, Mass., who conducted the funeral service.
“She was a woman who accomplished so much in her years and was always a strong proponent of education and Armenian culture, along with many associated causes.”
Her greatest attribute had to be her family. Both sons are ordained deacons of the church and their commitment to the Armenian community remains indelible.
Levon is a retired toxicology laboratory director and sewer system commissioner in Wisconsin and an overseas member of the Republic of Armenia National Academy of Sciences. He’s also a numismatic authority on Armenian coinage and busy these days raising funds for Armenian orphans in Syria and Armenia through the Wisconsin SOAR Chapter.
John is a physician at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington where he serves as department chair of allergy and immunization, bringing comfort and healing to his patients over the past 33 years. Boston Magazine picked him a top doctor in 2011 for the fourth time over the past decade.
Two daughters are not to be outdone. Judy is a retired VP and portfolio manager for Eaton Vance in Boston, while Arlene is a financial advisor and former VP investment specialist at Fidelity in Los Angeles.
My association with the immediate family dates back a generation and more when we met over Labor Day Weekend at an AYF Olympics. I recall one gold-medal match during which the two sisters met for the championship.
Armine and Sarkis were torn that year over whom to support. So they stood at center court and hoped for a draw that never occurred. Suffice it to say that both were like the Williams sisters of their day, racking up medals galore to keep pace with brother John, another perennial titlist who began his reign in 1971.
Somewhere along the line Levon must have hit his share of tennis balls, but in this case we shall defer to his siblings.
Sarkis was a genocide survivor. At the age of four, he hid in a cellar rather than join the deportation caravan. Later, he was brought to the United States by an uncle who joined the Armenian Legion. He grew up in New York, graduated college with a chemistry degree, and traveled to Beirut before World War II to continue his education.
The accomplishments of eight grandchildren continued to bring Armine an abundant source of pride.
There’s Dr. Diana Balekian (allergist in Boston) and Dr. Ani Saryan (family practice physician in Wisconsin). There’s Armen Saryan (a radio producer and host) and Valerie Saryan (an attorney). There’s Melanie Saryan (marketing specialist) and Laura Zarougian (working in theater and the arts). There’s Garen Alexander (political science major at the University of Wisconsin) and Sean Alexander (studying music at Interlochen Academy in Michigan). And there’s a great-grandson named Jack Balekian.
“My mother made certain that all of her children received a top-notch education and was always eager to learn of their progress,” said Levon. “She followed current events and would regularly correspond with newspapers on contemporary issues. Her former teachers always remained the guiding lights in her life.”
John pointed to his mom’s encouragement to enter the medical profession and become an Armenian role-player and deacon.
“My mother was my cheerleader throughout my life, always inspiring and encouraging me,” he said. “With the inevitable disappointments that come along, she was always there to lift my spirits and encourage me to persevere. She had a strong Christian faith that guided her life and shaped her children’s lives.”
“As an Armenian teacher for years, she and my father taught us about language, culture, history, and our musical heritage,” he added. “She always hoped one of her children would become a doctor. For years, I dismissed the idea but later, the seed she had planted took root. My mother encouraged us to make the most of our potential whether it was our academic, athletic, cultural, or civic pursuits.”
Armine’s first love was Armenian literature, particularly poetry and historical prose. She studied under Shant, Aghbalian, and Ganatchian, and taught for eight years at the Jemaran in Beirut.
She could recite the works of several prominent poets from memory. Armine was a voracious reader. In her last years, she read and reread the novels of Dzerents and Malkhas; the plays of Levon Shant; the complete works of Raffi; and the poetry of Charents, Siamanto, and Daniel Varoujan.
In 1947, Armine arrived in the United States to continue her education and married her husband Sarkis within a year. The family settled in Wilmington, Del., where Armine taught French and Armenian for several years and performed in amateur theater.
She owned a sweet soprano voice and would often perform impromptu at Armenian resorts in upstate New York.
In 1971, she moved with her family to Rockford, Mich., where she was active in local affairs and traveled to Armenia several times. She later retired with her husband to Cape Cod, where she took up oil painting.
In 2001, after 54 years of marriage, Sarkis passed on, sending her to Thousand Oaks to be near her youngest daughter.
Among those who had the utmost respect for Mrs. Saryan was Sossy Jeknavorian, director of the Armenian and Sunday Schools at St. Gregory Church, and long-time chairwoman of the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley.
“I met Armine many years ago when she was visiting our community,” said Jeknavorian. “I mentioned to her about our involvement in teaching Armenian students. She wanted to know where I studied the Armenian language. When I mentioned Lebanon, she told me about her studies in Jemaran and how she met her husband. Our conversations continued every time we met. She was an inspiration, a great classy lady who always encouraged me to continue teaching. I admired her and enjoyed her company.”
Armine actively contributed to the Hairenik publications. Her poetry and articles were especially appreciated by editor Reuben Darbinian and other critics.
“If I know Armenian, it was my mom more than anyone else who taught it to me,” added Levon. “If I ever needed anything, she was always there for me and the rest of the children and grandchildren, all of whom she adored.”
Among her survivors is a brother Varoujan Manoukian of New York, who attended the funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley, 158 Main St., North Andover, MA 01845.
Tom Vartabedian
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