Lili (Der Parseghian) Sutera was the eldest daughter of the late Norair and Nevart (Ananian) Der Parseghian. She began her life in Cairo, Egypt among her extended Armenian Christian family.
As a teenager, she immigrated to Watertown with her parents and sisters Anahid and Nina. She was a graduate of Watertown High School where she learned her fourth language, English, and nurtured what was to become an enduring love of the arts and fine literature. There, she coordinated the WHS yearbook for her class alongside her beloved art teacher Mr. Moody. She was offered a scholarship to pursue art study beyond high school and served as a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She was employed by the New England Telephone Company for many years where she rose to the rank of Executive Assistant.
Lili made and kept friends easily and took special pleasure in entertaining at home. Those who knew her were touched by her sincerity, warmth and unfailingly generous spirit. She truly appreciated each day and life’s simple pleasures. She enjoyed traveling with her beloved husband Mario Sutera and had a special fondness for Italy, especially its art treasures.
Lili had an unshakeable faith and persevered through setbacks with fortitude. She had a deep love of home and family and was a devoted mother to her sons Haroutune and John Azarian. She was blessed with a grandson, Michael Azarian and a great-granddaughter Juliette.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Ari Guiragos Armenian School, 5315 W McFadden Avenue, Santa Ana, California, 92704.