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103-YEAR-OLD SURVIVOR CALLS FOR JUSTICE
Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/04/10/103-year-old-survivor-calls-for-justice/
April 10, 2012
WORCESTER, Mass.-Heghine Minasian considers her life miraculous on
two accounts.
'Obama promised us recognition and delivered us empty words," she
says. "It bothers me and all other Armenians, too. He failed to live
up to his promises.' First, that she survived a horrific genocide
in her village of Kharpet. And second, that she's still alive and
kicking at the ripe age of 103.
Heghine doesn't look upon herself as a poster child of her generation.
Nor any great geriatric wonder as the city's oldest genocide survivor.
Instead, she prefers a more subtle role, away from unnecessary fanfare.
She's content living an independent lifestyle in the comfort of her
own home, watching "Jeopardy" every night, doing her knitting and
crocheting, and enjoying the love of her family.
Three daughters tend to dote after her, including one next door,
along with 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
But make no mistake about it. When it comes time to speak her piece
about the massacre, Heghine is most opinionated. If President Obama
is in the area, this is one person he may want to avoid.
"Obama promised us recognition and delivered us empty words," she
says. "It bothers me and all other Armenians, too. He failed to live
up to his promises."
In the background is daughter Alice Kanaley, who is not surprised by
her mother's actions. She's heard this before, including publicly
two years ago when Heghine was given the keys to the city by the
Worcester mayor. A TV station was on hand to document the event and
interviewed the woman.
"She handled it like a charm," the daughter said.
In accepting the honor, Heghine used the moment to remind everyone
about her feelings and how Armenians should band together in the name
of unity for greater impact.
"Mom's really feisty when it comes to matters like this," Alice
reminds you. "She's a true ambassador for our cause."
Heghine was old enough to remember the Turks invading her city. She
doesn't go into details only to say it was a sad experience. Her
mother died when she was eight. Heghine never met her father. He had
come to America and was never seen again.Her husband Garabed was more
exposed to the brutality of conflict.
The two enjoyed a happy and rewarding life together in France, Canada,
and in Worcester for 49 years before his death in 1976. They ran a
hair dressing salon in the city and enjoyed giving their clientele
a bright new look after they entered.
"Worcester has always been home to the immigrant population," says
Alice. "It's been a wonderful city to live and work, to practice your
heritage, too. Mom's enjoyed it here."
Word around town is that nobody made a better choreg than Heghine.
Cooking was always a passion and you got to sample her fare at church
dinners and other public gatherings.
Twice a week, elder care drops by to check on her. A visit to her
apartment unveils a meticulous setting. Except for a blood pressure
pill, there's no other medication.
"Jeopardy" is not the only daily ritual she cultivates. Her Bible
also gets a workout. Heghine is a woman steeped in faith.
"God must be keeping me for a reason," she notes. "I'm blessed in
many ways and wish the same for others like myself."
On occasion, Alice will take her mother to Avak lunches at the church.
She'll play cards, relish the hospitality of others, and pass along
her wisdom regally.
"My mother is my pillar of strength," notes Alice. "Mentally, she's
90 percent with it. Except for her knees, she's the perfect picture
of health. When I'm with her, it keeps me going. She's an inspiration."
Much of it has to do with her lifestyle. She never drove and refrained
from tobacco. Except for a sociable glass of wine, alcohol was never
consumed. Another hobby hasn't lost its zest: She still reads books
and periodicals.
The fact both mother and daughter communicate in Armenian and not
English keeps the language alive in their home. It's been an Armenian
family that hasn't lost its spirit.
"She wanted us to live the dream," says the daughter.
To what does Heghine attribute her longevity? She doesn't give it a
second thought.
"You must have faith in God," she answers. "Miracles are keeping me
alive. You have to believe in miracles."
As the 100th anniversary rolls around in three years, Heghine may
not live to see 106. But she offers this message to those who will.
"Stick together," she says with conviction. "Remain strong and fight
for recognition. Above all, keep our culture and history alive by
practicing it every day."
From: A. Papazian
Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/04/10/103-year-old-survivor-calls-for-justice/
April 10, 2012
WORCESTER, Mass.-Heghine Minasian considers her life miraculous on
two accounts.
'Obama promised us recognition and delivered us empty words," she
says. "It bothers me and all other Armenians, too. He failed to live
up to his promises.' First, that she survived a horrific genocide
in her village of Kharpet. And second, that she's still alive and
kicking at the ripe age of 103.
Heghine doesn't look upon herself as a poster child of her generation.
Nor any great geriatric wonder as the city's oldest genocide survivor.
Instead, she prefers a more subtle role, away from unnecessary fanfare.
She's content living an independent lifestyle in the comfort of her
own home, watching "Jeopardy" every night, doing her knitting and
crocheting, and enjoying the love of her family.
Three daughters tend to dote after her, including one next door,
along with 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
But make no mistake about it. When it comes time to speak her piece
about the massacre, Heghine is most opinionated. If President Obama
is in the area, this is one person he may want to avoid.
"Obama promised us recognition and delivered us empty words," she
says. "It bothers me and all other Armenians, too. He failed to live
up to his promises."
In the background is daughter Alice Kanaley, who is not surprised by
her mother's actions. She's heard this before, including publicly
two years ago when Heghine was given the keys to the city by the
Worcester mayor. A TV station was on hand to document the event and
interviewed the woman.
"She handled it like a charm," the daughter said.
In accepting the honor, Heghine used the moment to remind everyone
about her feelings and how Armenians should band together in the name
of unity for greater impact.
"Mom's really feisty when it comes to matters like this," Alice
reminds you. "She's a true ambassador for our cause."
Heghine was old enough to remember the Turks invading her city. She
doesn't go into details only to say it was a sad experience. Her
mother died when she was eight. Heghine never met her father. He had
come to America and was never seen again.Her husband Garabed was more
exposed to the brutality of conflict.
The two enjoyed a happy and rewarding life together in France, Canada,
and in Worcester for 49 years before his death in 1976. They ran a
hair dressing salon in the city and enjoyed giving their clientele
a bright new look after they entered.
"Worcester has always been home to the immigrant population," says
Alice. "It's been a wonderful city to live and work, to practice your
heritage, too. Mom's enjoyed it here."
Word around town is that nobody made a better choreg than Heghine.
Cooking was always a passion and you got to sample her fare at church
dinners and other public gatherings.
Twice a week, elder care drops by to check on her. A visit to her
apartment unveils a meticulous setting. Except for a blood pressure
pill, there's no other medication.
"Jeopardy" is not the only daily ritual she cultivates. Her Bible
also gets a workout. Heghine is a woman steeped in faith.
"God must be keeping me for a reason," she notes. "I'm blessed in
many ways and wish the same for others like myself."
On occasion, Alice will take her mother to Avak lunches at the church.
She'll play cards, relish the hospitality of others, and pass along
her wisdom regally.
"My mother is my pillar of strength," notes Alice. "Mentally, she's
90 percent with it. Except for her knees, she's the perfect picture
of health. When I'm with her, it keeps me going. She's an inspiration."
Much of it has to do with her lifestyle. She never drove and refrained
from tobacco. Except for a sociable glass of wine, alcohol was never
consumed. Another hobby hasn't lost its zest: She still reads books
and periodicals.
The fact both mother and daughter communicate in Armenian and not
English keeps the language alive in their home. It's been an Armenian
family that hasn't lost its spirit.
"She wanted us to live the dream," says the daughter.
To what does Heghine attribute her longevity? She doesn't give it a
second thought.
"You must have faith in God," she answers. "Miracles are keeping me
alive. You have to believe in miracles."
As the 100th anniversary rolls around in three years, Heghine may
not live to see 106. But she offers this message to those who will.
"Stick together," she says with conviction. "Remain strong and fight
for recognition. Above all, keep our culture and history alive by
practicing it every day."
From: A. Papazian