Claire Harootunian

CLAIRE HAROOTUNIAN

February 7, 1930--November 7, 2025

Claire (Mamourian) Harootunian was born in Philadelphia on February 7, 1930 to Armenian parents: Alexander Mamourian, born in Izmir, Ottoman Empire, and Yeranoui (Bedrossian) Mamourian, born in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire. Claire was the third of their four children. She died peacefully of natural causes at age 95.

Her older brother Marcus Mamourian, older sister Marie (Mamourian) Belluardo, and younger brother Alexander Mamourian predeceased her.

Claire was formerly married to the late Berj Harootunian.

Claire is survived by three sons and their spouses: Sarkis Harootunian & Gillisann (Haroian-Guerin) Harootunian of Fresno CA, Alec Harootunian & Martha Woodworth of San Diego CA, and Jason Harootunian & Clarissa Tartar of New York City, as well as two grandchildren, Dante Harootunian of Guam, and Dylan Harootunian of Burlingame CA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Claire graduated from West Philadelphia High School. She won an academic scholarship to and received a BA in education from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Delaware and a master of fine arts (MFA) degree in sculpture from Syracuse University.

In college, Claire joined the Penn Players theater group where she worked as a set and costume designer. She later said that handling the fabrics and textiles used in the theater was her first awakening as an artist.

In 1952, Claire married Berj, her high school and college sweetheart. Later, Claire had a long-term relationship with sculptor Rodger Mack, who taught at Syracuse University.

Claire taught elementary school and worked for a summer stock theater until moving to Newark DE, where Berj joined the faculty of the University of Delaware. Claire took art classes, learned to ride horseback, enjoyed modern dancing (later in life becoming an avid folk dancer), and kept busy raising three boys.

In 1967, the family moved to Syracuse NY when Berj accepted a position at Syracuse University. Wanting to embrace the country life, the family relocated to nearby Cazenovia, built a barn, and bought two thoroughbred horses.

After receiving her MFA degree, Claire taught art classes as an adjunct professor at Syracuse for many years. She was part of a vibrant art community in Central New York, and appeared in dozens of solo and group shows throughout the area. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Everson Museum in Syracuse and the Munson Museum of Art in Utica.

As an artist and teacher, Claire traveled extensively, spending a year in London, and many months in Italy, Spain and South Africa. For several summers she helped run an arts workshop in a rectory near Barcelona, Spain. These workshops inspired her to create large and detailed fish artworks. Her time in England led to a series of elephant paintings. Claire also worked as the head of the Syracuse Abroad program, based in Barcelona, in the early 2000s.

Claire’s art spanned a wide range of media. She made sculptures from found objects, cast bronze and cast aluminum and she knew how to arc-weld steel. She also created watercolors and collages.

In 2004, Claire wrote an artist’s statement about her work:

~~~~~

The ideas for my work come from many different sources that I have encountered along life’s way.

I have always been intrigued by clothing and its uses. Clothing can be your shell, your armor...it can change your appearance or mood. Clothing used to give signals to the world about your class or occupation or age. Now the signals are harder to read.

The primary way I work is by putting things together. These things can be “found objects” or made by me. They can be metal, wood, fabric, paper, whatever comes my way.

It’s a kind of magic to create something new out of these things. I want the work to be a visual delight. I try to have my work express the joys I find in life. I hide the wounds.

~~~~~

Claire loved water and the ocean and was very happy when, at age 83, she had the opportunity to resettle in San Diego near her son Alec…and the beach.

Being useful and volunteering in her community mattered to Claire. Following the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, she was a translator for the families of victims receiving medical treatment through Project Hope in Syracuse. She later volunteered at the Ocean Beach library in San Diego. She also joined a group helping new international students at UCSD, forming close bonds with both the students and her fellow volunteers.

Claire was a life-long learner. She was an avid reader and enjoyed the camaraderie of her book clubs. She played the piano. She attended live theater, dance performances and concerts throughout her life. In addition to speaking Armenian, Claire was conversant in Spanish. She was physically active, enjoying horseback riding, dancing, Zumba classes and yoga.

Claire had great style and loved fashion. She dressed as she wanted, eschewing trends. She grew up watching her mother helping her aunt make couture outfits and she came to be a collector of vintage clothing and fabrics, often incorporating that background into her artwork.

Claire was healthy and active well into her 90s. She lived on her own until her final days. Claire approached life with positivity and gratitude. She followed her own path and inspired those who knew her.

~~~~~

If people wish to make donations in Claire’s memory, the family suggests three options in the places where Claire spent most of her life.

PHILADELPHIA

The Penn Players is now part of Penn Live Arts, which supports music, dance, theater and film in the Philadelphia area.

https://pennlivearts.org/giving/

SYRACUSE

Claire has artwork in the permanent collection of the Everson Museum in Syracuse.

https://everson.org/donate/

SAN DIEGO

Claire’s favorite museum in San Diego was the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park.

https://mingei.org/

IN ADDITION

Claire was very proud of her Armenian heritage. One of the charities she supported was the Armenian EyeCare Project, whose mission is to eliminate preventable blindness in Armenia and to make eye care accessible to all.

https://eyecareproject.com/one-time-donation/