Verjin (Virginia) Azizian. Beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, and friend passed away on September 14, 2014 at the age of 81. She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Missac Gregorian Babroudi, and is survived by her three sons (Edward, Stephen, and Allen), daughter-in-laws (Ida Babroudi and Noune Karapetian), grandchildren (Zori, Seda, Leah, and Moushe), sisters (Gohar Badalian and Arpik Azizian and their families),brother (Christopher Azizian and his family) and many cousins and their respective families.
Verjin was born in Gardabad (Urmia, Iran) on August 25, 1933 to Varsenik and Sissak Azizian, her dedicated mother and father. She spent her teenage years in Gardabad and attended the Armenian school there, during which time she was an active member of the Ararat Gardabad organization (sporting and scouting organization). Growing up, Verjin's house was the hub, hosting community members, passing guests, and the local Armenian Revolutionary Foundation (ARF) meetings. It should therefore come as no surprise that Verjin developed a strong passion for maintaining Armenian culture, tradition, and heritage.
At age 24, Verjin married Missac Gregorian Babroudi and they moved to Tehran, Iran where she raised her three sons. In an effort to engage herself with the Armenian community there, she served on the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at Kooshesh Armenian School for nearly a decade. In 1977, she and her family immigrated to Boston, MA to be reunited with her mother, sisters, brother, and their respective families. Despite being completely uprooted from her home, Verjin remained committed to the advancement of the Armenian cause and joined the Armenian Relief Society(ARS) Leola Chapter until her passing. As a board member of ARS, she fought to improve the social, educational, and financial status of the Armenian diaspora worldwide.
Asides from her commitment to the Armenian community, Verjin was also a strong believer that family is the most fundamental social unit. She always reminded us that the goodness in you comes from belonging to a loving family who you can always turn to when the world is against you. She always professed that a large family was a blessing and a privilege, never to be taken for granted. In an effort to pass these strong beliefs down to her children, grandchildren, and extended family, Verjin helped facilitate family gatherings which consisted of nearly one hundred people in a single house-hold and could best be described as organized chaos. Despite all the cacophony and commotion, the immense joy and happiness that resulted were priceless.
Verjin spent the last few weeks of her life surrounded by family and friends. She shared her gratitude, joy, and sorrow with them. Verjin will always be remembered for her contributions to the Armenian community, but even more so for her loving spirit in the hearts of all those who were close to her.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Armenian Relief Society Leola Chapter c/o Marie Arabian, 14 Perry St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to the St. Stephen's Armenian Church, 38 Elton Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.
Visting hours on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 from 7:00 - 9:00pm at the funeral home. Funeral Service at St. Stephen's Armenian Church, 38 Elton Ave., Watertown, MA on Thursday, September 18, 2104 at 11:00am. Relatives and friends kindly invited to attend. Interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA. A Memorial Meal (Hoke Chash) will be held at Saint Stephen's Armenian Church, Watertown.