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HONORING A LONG LIFE: LUCY MIRIGIAN TURNS 105
By Kristine Keshishian
asbarez
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
The children and many friends of Mrs. Lucy Mirigian, lovingly referred
to as Aunt Lu, celebrated her 105th Birthday at the home of Dr. Garo
and Aida Mirigian, in Fremont, California, on August 6. More than
150 guests, many of them out-of-towners, were delighted to be part
of the celebration. Commendations and good wishes were heaped upon
her. Her birthday invitation appropriately read, "Est. 1906", "Aged
to perfection". In lieu of gifts, donations went to the Armenian
Educational Foundation, for the Mirigian School in Armenia.
Garo, her son, who acted as the MC, said lovingly and humorously that
"Lu" was already working on her 110th birthday party, just as at
the centennial, she began to plan this one. After Rev. ArchP. Khoren
Habeshian, Pastor of St. Gregory Arm. Apos. Church of San Francisco
blessed the food and the present company, family and friends enjoyed
a delicious luncheon in a convivial atmosphere.
Lucy's life begins in Erzeroum, the fifth child of Kevork and Altoun
Sarkissian. Having contracted small pox as a small child, she lost
the vision in her left eye and spent the rest of her life with one
artificial eye. The Sarkissian family escaped Turkey just before the
genocide. They made their home in Fresno where Lucy grew up. As a
teenager she contracted typhoid fever and had to drop out of school.
But Lucy being the fighter that she is worked her way back to school
and completed her education. It is said that what doesn't kill you,
makes you stronger; and Lucy is a living proof of that adage.
Lucy married Ashod Mirigian in 1936 and they made their home in San
Francisco. They were blessed with two children, Garo and Sonia. Lucy
taught Sunday school and Armenian Saturday school in Fresno and San
Francisco. Armenian GIs in World War II, having learned Armenian
in Lucy's classes, were able to write home to their parents. Lucy
and Ashod encouraged their children to become active members of the
Armenian community. Garo met Aida in the AYF, and Sonia met Hagop
while she was teaching at the Ferrahian Armenian School. Both of her
children are educators.
Besides being a lifelong member of the ARS, since 1945, (sixteen
years ago, she received her 50-year membership pin), Lucy was also
a member of St. Gregory's Ladies Auxiliary, the Armenian-American
Citizen League, and the AARP. At any of these functions, you would
see her cheerfully pitching in, helping in the kitchen, serving meals,
giving advice, always cheerful and with a smile.
Her advice to the guests, in her lucid, organized, cogent and
extemporaneous comments was, DO IT. Don't wait for tomorrow, JUST
DO IT!
From: Baghdasarian
By Kristine Keshishian
asbarez
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
The children and many friends of Mrs. Lucy Mirigian, lovingly referred
to as Aunt Lu, celebrated her 105th Birthday at the home of Dr. Garo
and Aida Mirigian, in Fremont, California, on August 6. More than
150 guests, many of them out-of-towners, were delighted to be part
of the celebration. Commendations and good wishes were heaped upon
her. Her birthday invitation appropriately read, "Est. 1906", "Aged
to perfection". In lieu of gifts, donations went to the Armenian
Educational Foundation, for the Mirigian School in Armenia.
Garo, her son, who acted as the MC, said lovingly and humorously that
"Lu" was already working on her 110th birthday party, just as at
the centennial, she began to plan this one. After Rev. ArchP. Khoren
Habeshian, Pastor of St. Gregory Arm. Apos. Church of San Francisco
blessed the food and the present company, family and friends enjoyed
a delicious luncheon in a convivial atmosphere.
Lucy's life begins in Erzeroum, the fifth child of Kevork and Altoun
Sarkissian. Having contracted small pox as a small child, she lost
the vision in her left eye and spent the rest of her life with one
artificial eye. The Sarkissian family escaped Turkey just before the
genocide. They made their home in Fresno where Lucy grew up. As a
teenager she contracted typhoid fever and had to drop out of school.
But Lucy being the fighter that she is worked her way back to school
and completed her education. It is said that what doesn't kill you,
makes you stronger; and Lucy is a living proof of that adage.
Lucy married Ashod Mirigian in 1936 and they made their home in San
Francisco. They were blessed with two children, Garo and Sonia. Lucy
taught Sunday school and Armenian Saturday school in Fresno and San
Francisco. Armenian GIs in World War II, having learned Armenian
in Lucy's classes, were able to write home to their parents. Lucy
and Ashod encouraged their children to become active members of the
Armenian community. Garo met Aida in the AYF, and Sonia met Hagop
while she was teaching at the Ferrahian Armenian School. Both of her
children are educators.
Besides being a lifelong member of the ARS, since 1945, (sixteen
years ago, she received her 50-year membership pin), Lucy was also
a member of St. Gregory's Ladies Auxiliary, the Armenian-American
Citizen League, and the AARP. At any of these functions, you would
see her cheerfully pitching in, helping in the kitchen, serving meals,
giving advice, always cheerful and with a smile.
Her advice to the guests, in her lucid, organized, cogent and
extemporaneous comments was, DO IT. Don't wait for tomorrow, JUST
DO IT!
From: Baghdasarian