Worcester-Hasmig Aprahamian (nee Manougian) was a most remarkable and talented woman, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was born in one of the refugee camps for Armenian Genocide survivors on the shores of the Mediterranean sea in Beirut, Lebanon on March 24, 1934. She was the daughter of Hripsime (nee Baronian) and Levon Manougian of Kharpert Armenia. She was taught by and grateful during her entire life to French Armenian volunteers that had come to Beirut to help with the education of the children of refugees(Mr. & Mrs Tavitian, now deceased, of Paris France).
She loved the joyful, big family of Aprahamian neighbors in the refugee camp. She fell in love with and married Bedros Aprahamian (the boy next door) on December 29, 1956. Bedros and Hasmig were apprenticed at a young age as a tailor and a seamstress, respectively, and used their professions to help support their families before starting their own family. Hasmig and Bedros immigrated to the United Stated in 1970 with the sole purpose of providing educational opportunities for their five children.
Hasmig was a loving and devoted wife and mother, incredible cook, and a most creative artist. She was active in the entire Armenian Community of Worcester having been a member of the ladies guild at the Armenian Church of the Martyrs, the Armenian Relief Society and the Armenian Renaissance Association. She was loved and respected by all who really knew her. She loved her family and loved taking care of them. She loved the Armenian language, and made sure that all her children and grandchildren learned to speak, read and write Armenian.
She tried to teach her children and grandchildren the history of the Armenians and the rich literary traditions of Armenian writers and poets. She beamed with pride as her grandchildren recited poems or led discussions and took leadership roles in the Armenian community of Worcester and the USA. She taught her children to appreciate beauty in all its forms and in all peoples.
She leaves behind her beloved husband of 58 years, Bedros Aprahamian, her children, a daughter, Dr. Ani Aprahamian (resident of South Bend, IN), her son and daughter in law, Harout and Marilyn Aprahamian of Worcester, their children, Talar, Bedros, and Pateal, her daughter, Arpi Aprahamian of Worcester and her children, Hovig and Kenar Charchaflian, her sons Hrair, and Hagop Aprahamian of Worcester, her brother and sister-in-law, Sarkis and Vera Manougian of Worcester, and their children Nareg and Lori, Her brother, Manoug Manougian and his family of Beirut Lebanon, Her brother Khachatur Manougian’s (deceased) family, her sister Shoushanig Manougian and her family (Beirut, Lebanon), and her sister and brother-in-law Manoushag and Charles Garabedian of Shrewsbury.
Hasmig Aprahamian was also a part of a big extended family with Sisters in law, Guluzar Kertenian, Mari Davidian(deceased, and Sarah Antikadjian and their families in Southern California, her brothers in law Zohrab, Hovhannes, Aprahamian and their families.
The Funeral will be held Wednesday, February 25 at 11:00am in the Armenian Holy Trinity Church, 635 Grove St., Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to, The Armenian Church of the Martyrs, 22 Ormond St., Worcester, 01609 or to the Armenian Holy Trinity Apostolic Church, 635 Grove St., Worcester, 01605. Arrangements in the care of, Callahan Fay and Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street.