Margaret Hagopian

Margaret Hagopian died peacefully in her sleep on November 13, 2008.

She was surrounded by her five children and caregiver in San Francisco where she lived with her daughter Tina, son-in-law Thomas and grandson Garrett. She was born on July 24, 1918, the eldest daughter of Olga and Kazar Arakelian who came to the U.S. from Kharput, Armenia. She grew up in Whitinsville, MA, where she was known for her vivacious personality, wry sense of humor and lovely voice, often singing at church events and holiday parties. In 1942, she married Jacob Hagopian and later moved to California, settling in San Jose in 1952 where Jacob was employed at IBM. His research led to the magnetic strips on ATM and credit cards carried by most Americans. Margaret became an integral part of IBM lore when her nylon stockings were used in Jacob's invention to control the coating on a grooveless magnetic disc, a critical advance for the rapid retrieval of stored information.

Margaret and Jake were married for 56 years until his death in 1998. They were very active in the Armenian community, starting the Armenian Society in the 1950s in San Jose and co-founding St. Andrew's Armenian Church in Cupertino, CA with several Bay Area families. Margaret served on the Parish Assembly and was the first chairlady of the Ladies Aid, a Matron of the Daughters of Vartan and participated in many charitable events. She enjoyed painting, loved flowers, reading mysteries and continued a weekly bridge game for over 40 years. She was also a volunteer at the local hospital, read Braille and translated books for the blind. Of all her interests, singing remained a lifelong pleasure until the end of her life.

She is survived by her two sisters, Vickie Bedigian of Whitinsville and Helen Andrews of San Francisco; brother Varky Arakelian of Whitinsville; sister-in-law Margaret Arakelian of Sutton and predeceased by brother Ted Arakelian. Her loving family includes daughters Eva Long of Eugene, OR; Ruth and Tina Hagopian of San Francisco; Jan Nikitin of Los Gatos and son David Hagopian of Santa Clara, CA; her grandchildren, Dana Long, Simon Malone, Dyan and Michelle Hagopian, Marshall and Clayton Adler, Kathryn Gallagher, Taylor and Garrett Jaquysh; and great grandson Theodore Long.

The family wishes to especially thank her wonderful caregiver Rhodora Garcia, as well as Eva Marie Pelar, RN and Tovah Green, MSW at Hospice by the Bay. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Activity Center, 2380 Engborg Lane, San Jose CA 95128.