Shrewsbury – Betty (Donabedian) Arakelian, 87, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 2, 2021 in the Holden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after an illness.
Betty was married for 21 years to the late Peter Arakelian, who died on May 7, 1973. She is survived by two sons, Jacques “Jack” Arakelian and his wife, Marie of Worcester; Peter Arakelian and his wife, Lisa of Wilmington, NC and; two daughters, Patricia “Patty” Smith and her husband, Gene of Whitinsville and Nicole Arakelian of Northboro; 6 grandchildren, Matthew (Renee) Arakelian, Megan (Jon) Dykstra, Kyle Arakelian, Olivia Arakelian, Zachary and Lucas Gordon and 3 great grandchildren, Ryan Arakelian, Cameron Arakelian and Dominic Dykstra.
Betty was born in Lyon, France, daughter of the late Kinos and Elizabeth Donabedian, she is also predeceased by her brother, Marcel Donabedian.
Mrs. Arakelian worked as a cashier at the former Big D Supermarkets, the Saint Francis Home Memory Impairment Unit and the former King’s Department Store in Shrewsbury. However, her main focus was raising her 4 children after her husband died at a young age. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and cherished the time that she was able to spend with them.
Betty enjoyed to cook and was an avid reader. She will be remembered as a kind and caring woman, which was evident in the care and affection that she held for animals, especially cats.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11 AM in Saint Peter’s Church 929 Main St. Worcester. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. Memorial contributions in memory of may be made to Saint Jude’s Children Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. Worcester is directing arrangements. To share a memory of Betty or to sign her online guestbook, please visit www.Royfuneral.com