Suzy Arakelian’s lovely eyes may have been dimmed by the passing years, but oh how they lit up when representatives of the Metro-Detroit area Armenian Relief Society (ARS) recently awarded the devoted octogenarian her 50-year service pin and certificate.
Says daughter Rosemarie Arakelian, “Mom was surprised and pleased when the ladies from the ARS came to visit her here at Manoogian Manor to make the presentation. She was so happy and grateful for the recognition. They brought choregs, braided cookies, a fruit basket for the residents and a plant for mom. It meant so much.”
Presenting the service pin denoting 50 years of dedicated service were Ungerouhis Sona Mishigian, Sirvart Telbelian, Alice Pilibosian, and Ani Attar, who said, “It was our pleasure to visit Mrs. Arakelian. She and her husband were pillars in our community.”
Rosemarie is the administrative director for the Manoogian Manor, where her mom presently resides under the watchful eye of her daughter and the dedicated staff who believe each individual is unique and worthy of respect and dignity.
“Mom was always about family, cooking, and entertaining. People still comment to me about the parties they had at their lake house.”
Manoogian Manor was the gift of the late Alex and Marie Manoogian, the Detroit industrialist known the world over for his benevolent generosity to Armenian schools, churches, and communities. It is a place filled with vibrancy, pride, and a sense of belonging.
The Manor provides a safe environment providing assisted living and personal care to its residents. Many of its residents were first-generation Armenian survivors who were fortunate to have the Manor as a safe haven in their aging years. Meals here are said to be of top quality often featuring delicious Armenian entrees.
Suzy Arakelian (nee Kefsezian) was born in Detroit. She married Harry Arakelian and together they raised four children in Pontiac. That’s when, as I child, I first remember Suzy. The Pontiac Tashnags had a cozy community center on Ferry Ave. provided by the “Raffi” Gomideh and many weekends would find us gathered there for lectures, khunjuyks, Armenian school programs, and ARS functions.
So when Rosemarie said to me, “I want to thank you for pursuing Mom’s 50-year pin. She was never one to make waves. She wouldn’t have said anything about being overlooked.” I knew I had to press forward to make it a reality and with Ani Attar’s help, it came to fruition. “We are grateful you looked into it and were persistent for us,” her daughter said. Suzie’s son Greg and I share fond memories of our AYF days and he was the first to inquire about the pin for his mom.
I would never allow Suzy to be forgotten. I was determined she was to have her day in the sun for her dedication to the Armenian Cause and began inquiring on her behalf.
Suzy’s husband Harry was an Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) member and the oldest children at the time, Gregory and Rosemarie, were Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) members with me in the “Aharonian” Chapter. Born a little later were Patricia and Lorrie.
Suzy was a charming, lovely person not given to drawing attention to herself, even though she was one of the most attractive Armenian women. Suzy was always the perfect lady, wife, and mother. I know she was well known for being an expert of Armenian cuisine and baking. I can still see all the ARS ladies in the back of the hall, always well dressed, covering the tables with volunteered, traditional, home-made Armenian delicacies. We ate well. Oh those cheekuftas!
We had bingo parties there, engagement parties too, and George Mardigian of San Francisco Omar Khayam restaurant fame came there to spearhead a fundraiser to bring over former Armenian prisoner-of-war victims. Suzy and Harry were always generous in their support of all Armenian organizations and charities. We Pontiactsis have a wonderful history together and miss the old days of camaraderie on Ferry Ave.
Suzy was a lot younger than the other women in the Pontiac ARS, who were all from the survivor generation, but she fit right in with them. It was in the late 1950’s that Mrs. Hamasdegh from the ARS Central Executive in Boston contacted me—then in my late teens—and asked me to form another chapter of the ARS in addition to the existing one representing the younger married matrons of the community, which I did. It became known as the “Ani” Chapter and Suzy Arakelian then joined this group.
The Ani Chapter became well known for their annual home-cooked “Benag Meh Geragoor” dinners featuring Turkey dinners and all the trimmings. The community always looked forward to this special day. Substantial free-will donations provided meals to needy Armenians overseas for many years. Suzy was one of the lead chefs, quietly getting the job done in a delicious way.
Harry and Suzy together ran a lumberyard and demolition business in Pontiac where they found financial success. He got the plum job of dismantling the downtown Oakland County courthouse. They later lived in Deerfield Beach, Fla. for 15 years, where they were instrumental in forming an ARS chapter. They returned to Michigan where Harry passed away, and Suzy took up residence in the St. Sarkis Tower for seniors, where she joined the Detroit ARS. She has nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Suzy, we congratulate you on your lifetime achievement. We will never forget the good old days of family-like togetherness in Pontiac and how you were a vital part of it.
Betty Apigian-Kessel
Latest posts by Betty Apigian-Kessel (see all)
- Meet the Legendary Margaret Lafian of Detroit - October 3, 2017
- The Lament of the Armenian Lady Farmer: How Green Is My ‘Bardez’ - September 22, 2017
- A Purposeful Visit to Great Lakes National Cemetery (Part II) - August 8, 2017
Be the first to comment