ASA Luncheon Remembers Sookiasian, Honors Yeremian

Mother of the Year Marie Yeremian surrounded by her grandchildren.

RADNOR, Pa.—One of the many harbingers of spring at the Armenian Sisters Academy (ASA) is the annual Mother’s Day Luncheon hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary. Over 150 guests, including parents, grandparents, and friends recently came to enjoy each other’s company and a delicious homemade luncheon.This luncheon was especially touching as Dorothy Sookiasian, devoted 30-year secretary, board member, Ladies Auxiliary member, and ardent Academy supporter, was honored posthumously. Her husband Nazareth was in attendance to hear wonderful words spoken about his beloved wife. Even before the prayer, Sister Louisa said a few words about her dearly missed friend and mentor. Sister Louisa was very young when she came to the United States, first as a teacher and then as principal of the Academy, and Dottie Sookiasian made the transition an easy one. They worked side-by-side for the next 30 years. Dottie was like a second mother to Sister Louisa and was always there for her. She was an extraordinary asset to the Academy and was one of the founders of the Ladies Auxiliary. Even in the last few days of her life, she was happy to hear about the Academy’s new sister, Sister Hovanna. Dottie’s advice to her was, “Just love the children and be good to them.” Sister Louisa concluded, “We are lucky to have had her and know she is watching over all of us from heaven. In many ways, she is still with us.”On behalf of the alumni and early Academy graduates, Melissa Selverian gave Nazareth Sookiasian and his family a small plaque in appreciation for all Dottie did for the Academy. “She was more than a secretary, Board Member, and Ladies Auxiliary member,” said Melissa, “She was always concerned for students and graduates, wanting to know about their lives after ASA. She emulated her father, who believed that being an Armenian came first and everything else came second. I hope we can all continue to do that in her honor.”

***

This year’s Mother of the Year was Marie Yeremian, who has had 8 of her 10 grandchildren pass through the Academy halls. A long term Ladies Auxiliary member, and excellent cook, she was touched to have her four children and their spouses and several grandchildren share the honor with her. In a tear-filled thank you, she attributed her grandchildren as the source of her strength. After a lovely lunch, guests were entertained by the Montessori students singing “Anoush Mayrig” and “She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain”—where “she’ll enjoy chicken and pilaf when she comes!” They also enacted the song “Babigun oo Shokhgamuh” (Grandfather and the Turnip). First Babig, then Mamig, Tornig, Shounig, and Psig all pull on the stubborn shokhgam. It was when the Mgnig finally joined in the tugging that the vegetable popped out. The audience chuckled as the children sang, sometimes with their mouths and sometimes with their bodies. Can we ever tire of watching these cherubs?This was followed by the first and second grade students enacting the play “Yerginkuh Pool Gookah,” or the story of “Chicken Little,” which has little joudig convincing her friends that the sky is falling. When they tell the fox about the problem, he promptly gobbles them up! To wrap up the program, the second graders recited the poem “Mayreegus.”Over a delicious bourma dessert, Auxiliary chairlady Shnorik Karakelian informed the crowd that the Sookiasian and Yeremian families had each donated $1,000 in memory of Dottie Sookiasian and in honor of Marie Yeremian. The Ladies Auxiliary, in turn, consistently donates to the Academy throughout the school year. Sister Louisa thanked the ladies for their hard work and also thanked the attendees for supporting the ladies in their numerous events. Over dessert, 34 beautiful gift baskets, made and donated by Academy grandparent and Ladies Auxiliary member Ani Semerjian, were raffled off, creating 34 extra-happy attendees.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*