Essayan, Mari (Messerlian) of Glendale, CA. formerly of Belmont, November 22, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Armen K. Essayan. Devoted mother of Armen K. Essayan Jr. and his wife Katharine Higgins. Loving sister of Hrair Missirlian and his wife Brit Missirlian. Aunt of Tanya and Anita Missirlian.
She was born Mari Messerlian in Beirut, Lebanon on August 12, 1935. She graduated from British College for Women in Beirut before coming to these shores in 1960 to attend graduate school at Clark University in Worcester. She earned her master’s degree in education and spoke multiple languages including Armenian, Arabic, English, and some Turkish and French.
She met and married her husband Armen in 1963. The following year they welcomed their son Armen Jr.
She was preceded in death by her newborn son Paul George Essayan in 1966.
Mrs. Essayan taught at Watertown Public Schools
for over 40 years. She won numerous “teacher of the year” awards and parents often requested her for their children’s teacher.
She enjoyed lunching with friends, working crossword and Sudoku puzzles, and spending time with her family, especially her adored brother, Hrair and late sister-in-law Louise Mihovan.
The family wish to thank Jrair and Brit Missirlian and Silva, Taline, and Peter Lorensian for their unwavering support these last few years.
Funeral service will be at the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, 558 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown on Tuesday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Saint James Armenian Church.