Penny (Misakian) O’Brien-Surrette, formerly of Arlington, MA, wife of Mr. James L. Surrette, passed away Monday, October 4, 2021 in Lincoln, MA. She was born in Watertown, MA, daughter of Armenian Genocide survivors from the village of Tadem (Harput), Hagop and Nevart (née Haroian) Misakian.
A graduate of Watertown High School, she spent her teenage years helping to operate her father’s businesses, The Star Café in Watertown and the Hotel & Restaurant Lafayette in Boston and Hyannis. After attending secretarial school, she lived in Arlington for 57 years until relocating to Hallandale Beach, FL in 2015, where she had previously spent every winter. She, however, remained an avid New England Patriots fan, never missing a game when they played in Miami Gardens. She spent her final few months in Massachusetts with her loved ones.
She is survived by her beloved husband, James. She leaves her daughter and three grandchildren, whom she called her ‘heart and heartbeats’: Barbara (O’Brien) Hospod of Burlington; Tom Hospod & husband Eric Golnick of Alexandria, VA; Kyla Hospod & fiancé Dan Miller of Weymouth; and Scott Hospod & girlfriend Kendall Connor of Dorchester. She will be sorely missed at the wedding of Kyla and Dan in July of next year. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Jane Misakian of Fort Myers, FL. She was predeceased by her brother and best friend, Harry Misakian, on February 10, 2021. She always put the entirety of her being into brightening the lives of her friends and family.
Please join us for a visitation and service at the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, 558 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown, Friday, October 8, 2021. Calling hours will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a short service there at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, immediately following the visitation and services. In lieu of flowers, donations in Penny’s name may be made to The Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute and/or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, current public health and safety measures will be followed. Social distancing and facemasks will be required for everyone’s safety.