Ninety-nine years ago, on December 6, 1920, in Detroit, Michigan, a little girl named Anna Der-Vartanian was born into a family of Armenian refugees. When the proud parents Mateos and Arousiag held their newborn baby, they knew she would be special, but who could have imagined that this little girl would make history.
Already a subscriber?Log in here
This story is FREE for you...
Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
Thank you for this inspiring bio. My son is in the Canadian Navy, I know what it means to be away from home and what it means to be proud of what you do. We should add Anna Der-Vartanian’s name on who is who Armenian list.
Anna Der Vartanian was the daughter of Mateos and Arousiag Der Vartanian. Arousiag was one of the first hosts of the Detroit Armenian Radio Hour in 1950s. Mateos and Arousiag were my mom’s (Zarry Sahagian Sarkisian) GodParents.
Anna was one of my mom’s best and closest friends growing up in the Clark Park Area of Detroit. (george)
As I recall,at some point the Navy started to Honor the Best Chief Petty Officer
of the Year. Anna was selected and honored the first year of the award.
Anna was selected and honored as the Chief Petty Officer the first year it
was awarded.
Inspiring and well-written human interest story of a remarkable lady.
I enjoy reading John Dekhane’s articles. Continue the exemplary writing.
Anna had a sister named Roxie. She married a fellow named Ted Sahakian. In 1953, Roxie and Ted moved away from the Clark Park area of Detroit and onto the same street in Dearborn as my mom and dad, Harry and Zarry Sahagian Sarkisian. They lived across the street, 4 houses down.
Ted and Roxie had three children, all girls. Suzanne was born in 1953. Diane was born about 1955, Carole was born in 1958 or 1959.
I was born in 1952. Until I was about 14 years old, I could never beat Suzanne in a running race. She was a tremendous athlete. She became a highly successful attorney in Detroit.
I am not sure about Diane’s biography. I think she studied ballet for a spell.
Carole and my sister, Yeretzgeen Patty Sarkisian Dagley (1959-2009), St. Narek Armenian Church in Richmond, Heights Ohio, were best buddies until the Sahakians moved out of Dearborn in the mid 1960s.
Yeretzgeen Patty Sarkisian Dagley was married to Der Haroutiun (Randy) Dagley (1956-2002), originally from North Andover, Massachusetts.
ANDREW DerVARTANIAN (brother of Anna DerVartanian)
Age 89, passed away on July 26, 2008. Beloved husband of Eleanor. Loving father of Mary (the late Mike) McComb, Matthew DerVartanian and Mark (Marcia) DerVartanian. Dear brother of Anna DerVartanian, Esther “Jeanne” (the late Claude) Oliver, Roxie (Ted) Sahakian and Ardis (Roger) Gregory and their families. Loving grandfather of Lisa (Gordon) Babcock, Nick (Alicia) Cacicedo, Rick (Michelle) Cacicedo, Andrew II (Cindy) DerVartanian and Kristen DerVartanian. Loving great-grandfather of six. Visitation Monday 2 p.m.-8 p.m. at the L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, 42600 Ford Rd., Canton (734) 981-1700. In state Tuesday 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. funeral at the funeral home. Family requests in lieu of flowers memorial donations to Leukemia Research Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Edward Korkoian Funeral Home, (248) 541-8325. To send a personal condolence, go to http://www.edwardkorkoianfuneralhome.com
Published in The Detroit News on July 28, 2008
A true Armenian hero – a story I did not know. I recognize her Dad, Tateos, in the picture. He was a friend of my Arakelian Grandpa in Detroit.
Thank you John Dekhane for yet another interesting Armenian story.