Ann Shakeh Tarvezian (82) of Waltham, formerly Belmont, Massachusetts, passed away on October 29, 2024 after a long illness, surrounded by family. Loving wife of 50 years of Richard Tarvezian. Devoted mother of Talene Tarvezian Choly and her husband, Andrew, of Watertown. Cherished grandmother of Theodore Tarvezian Choly and the late Ani Tarvezian Choly.
Ann was predeceased by her parents Vartan Mavisakalian and Sirvart (Tekneyan) Mavisakalian, and her brother, Jack Mavisakalian. She is survived by her sisters, Alice Papazian, Hilda Assarian and her husband Steven; her niece, Christi Ann (Christian Zortea) Papazian; her nephews, Marc (Sara) Papazian, and Adam Assarian; and her grand-nephew, Kyle Papazian. Ann was godmother of Christi Ann Papazian, Danielle Krikorian, Melissa (Krikorian) Giragosian, Nadine (Krikorian) Hoplamazian, and Melanie (Guleserian) Metz. Ann is also survived by many loving extended family members and friends.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Ann relocated to Massachusetts with her entire family in 1958. She attended Newton High School and graduated from Wakefield High School. Ann attended Burdett College and upon graduation, she worked in the accounting field, and later was assistant to the lower school principal at the Perkins School for the Blind for several years until Talene arrived.
On June 2, 1974, Ann married the love of her life, Richard, at St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, where the two had met a few years prior.
When Ann and Richard's daughter, Talene, arrived, Ann left the workforce to stay home and care for her family. She was a doting mother who found tremendous joy attending Talene’s tennis, swim, dance and piano lessons and recitals. Ann was a fabulous cook, and her home always smelled of delicious Armenian cuisine. She loved hosting family and friends for holidays and celebrations filled with laughter, music and dancing. In fact, upon hearing the first note to any song, Ann was always the first on the dance floor. She was a self-taught pianist and a member of the church choir.
As Talene was preparing to enter college, Ann studied to become a real estate agent. It was not long before she established herself as a highly respected and award-winning agent, known for her integrity and steadfast work ethic.
Ann was also an avid Boston sports fan and excelled herself at basketball, bowling, tennis and ping pong, along with swimming, playing backgammon and cards. She was fiercely competitive, once even winning a Texas Hold 'em Tournament while on vacation in Aruba, the island she loved to visit with Richard and Talene.
Ann treasured the beach and their summer house in Marshfield. She always looked forward to seeing her special summer neighbors and friends, and their families. Later in life, her grandson, Theo, made beach walks all the more magical, collecting sea glass and searching for tiny creatures with his "Nani". Theo was Ann's pride and joy. She cherished the time they spent playing games and dancing, which started with their first tango when Theo was 4 months old.
Ann was a very patriotic American and very proud of her Armenian heritage.
Ann's family would like to acknowledge the special caregivers who rendered loving care to Ann during her last 2 years.
At the request of the family, funeral services were held privately at St. James Armenian Apostolic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ann’s memory to St. James Armenian Apostolic Church, 465 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, for the purpose of establishing a scholarship fund in Ann’s memory.