November 8, 1937 ~ August 4, 2024
Sonia (nee Mangasarian) Meregian of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home on August 4, 2024 at the age of 86. Born and raised in Whitinsville, Massachusetts to the late Krikor and Elizabeth (nee Derderian) Mangasarian, Sonia was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother whose deep faith guided every aspect of her life. She will forever be remembered for the unconditional love and kindness she bestowed upon her family and friends.
A native New Englander born to Armenian immigrants, much of Meregian’s childhood was shaped by the relationships she fostered within the close-knit Armenian-centric community of Whitinsville, as well as her father’s untimely death when she was six years old. She was regarded as a true “hometown girl” who was proud of her humble upbringing and never forgot her roots by visiting Whitinsville as often as she could throughout her life. Meregian graduated from Northbridge High School in 1956, where she honed her musical ability as a member of the school chorus. After graduation, music continued to be a prominent part of her life. She became a member of the Armenian Choral Group, which originated in Whitinsville and was founded under the direction of Hayr Soorp Oshagan Minassian. She held the title of church soloist at St. Gregory Armenian Church in Indian Orchard for nearly 50 years, and her angelic voice graced thousands of church services, weddings, funerals and events during that time. Sonia always said that God gave her the gift of a beautiful voice which she enthusiastically shared with others.
Meregian earned a medical secretary degree from Becker College in 1958 and subsequently worked at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester for many years. It was during this time that she was set up on a blind date with John Meregian, a fellow Armenian from Wilbraham, Massachusetts, who she fell in love with and dated for a short nine months before marrying him in October 1963. She was predeceased by John in 2021, but together for 57 years, John and Sonia built a life of love, honor and lots of golf! It was John who introduced and encouraged Sonia to play golf. And golf they did! They played several times a week for close to 50 years and were longtime members of both Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow, MA and Martin Downs Country Club in Palm City, FL.
Meregian’s love for her family was rivaled only by her pride for her Armenian heritage and religion. During her teen and early adult years, she was a very active member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) where she met many lifelong friends. She continued to be active in the Armenian community later in life as a member of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) and the St. Gregory Armenian Church Ladies Guild. Meregian was also known for baking exceptionally tasty breads and cookies, which she made for family, friends and many church bazaars and functions.
Perhaps most of all, Meregian was regarded for her vibrant and gregarious personality. She could light up a room with her infectious smile, while her warm and self-assured demeanor put others at ease and made her very easy to talk to. This was evident in the work she engaged in over the years. Sonia worked in retail at Steiger’s and Cherry & Webb in Longmeadow for almost 20 years, where she enjoyed servicing her customers while also engaging with them socially. Meregian was a civic minded woman who worked as a long-time election poll worker in East Longmeadow and volunteered weekly, until her death, at both the Longmeadow and East Longmeadow Senior Centers. Through her knitting circle, she spent hundreds of hours knitting shawls for cancer patients at Baystate Medical Center. She was a person who found pleasure in simple everyday events like chance meetings with friends at the grocery store and volunteering at the Senior Center Café where she was known as the “lady with the best tasting coffee.”
Sonia was the loving and devoted mother to Tanya (nee Meregian) Minassian and her husband Serge, and Nicole Meregian and her longtime partner Stephen Hahn. Sonia especially adored her two granddaughters, Arianna and Sophia Minassian, with whom she loved to knit, bake choreg and paklava and share her words of wisdom. Meregian was the most compassionate, most wise and most loving mother and grandmother that her family could have ever asked for. She was the consummate matriarch and fountain of strength and humility, who inspired her family. Her passing leaves a void in our hearts and we will miss her dearly.
The wake will be held at Byron Keenan Funeral Home 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA on Friday, August 9 from 4-6 p.m. The funeral will be held at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, 135 Goodwin Street, Indian Orchard, MA on Saturday, August 10 at 10 a.m. followed by burial at Longmeadow Cemetery. Donations in Sonia’s memory may be sent to AYF Camp Haiastan, P.O. Box C, 722 Summer Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
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Krikor and Elizabeth Mangasarian’s house on Church St., Whitinsville, was a warm and loving home for the Mangasarian, Aykanian-Tanielian and Derderian families.
Childhood memories abound of the home on the hill, the warm smiles and hugs from genocide survivors.
As we pay respect to Sonia, we also remember with reverance past family members and the loving environment we shared.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to Sonia’s beloved children and grandchildren as well as her extended family.
May God bless Sonia: a proud daughter of Whitinsville, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and a dedicated member of the St. Gregory’s Church community.
Harry Derderian
Family