Elizabeth A. Zebian

Westfield- Elizabeth A. (Savage) Zebian passed away peacefully December 29, 2020 at the age of 71 surrounded by her family and friends.  Born in Pittsfield, MA to the late Martin P. Savage and Lucy F. (Russo) Savage, Elizabeth was a force from the very beginning.  She was affectionately known as Liz, Betty, Mrs. Zeb, Wiz and Nani to those who knew her best.  Although she was the middle child, Liz naturally stepped into the role of fierce protector to kid brother Tommy and sister Ellen and best friend to older sis Kathy.  She held onto those roles tightly for the rest of their years together.  As a teenager, Betty discovered her passion for the beauty industry and quickly enrolled in Mansfield Academy following her graduation from Cathedral High School.  She was a gifted hair stylist hand-picked to apprentice at a famed Cape Cod Salon.  She returned to Western Mass where she served a loyal clientele eventually managing the Frank & Tito salon in East Longmeadow.  It is said that her shampoos were legendary and her talent with color unmatched.  While she loved her career, nothing mattered more to her than family.  It all started when Liz had a serendipitous encounter with Ahmad Zebian, the man who would become the love of her life.  The handsome, dark-haired Lebanese guy stole her heart and the two shared more than 50-years together.  Mrs. Zeb’s true purpose emerged when she became Mom to Samira and Adam.  Devoted to her kids, she somehow found a way to juggle their schoolwork and demanding extra-curricular schedules with ease.  There was nothing she couldn’t handle.  Whether she was taxiing them to dance or baseball practice or cheering them on as they competed, she always put their interests ahead of her own.  Too often overlooked, Wiz’s talents were limitless.  She was at her best in the kitchen where she cooked with love, just like her mom before her.   She was immensely creative, the ultimate DIYer before HGTV was a thing.  And she was always, always ready with a solution, a gadget or a perfect word for any situation.  She found a second career as the co-owner of Atlantic Travel and somehow found time to give back to great causes like the American Cancer Society producing and hosting annual fundraisers.  Her greatest joy came when she stepped into the role of Nani.  She had waited a lifetime to be a grandmother and spoiled Alex and Andrew unapologetically.  It was quickly accepted that the two of them occupied rarified air.  Like every other part of her life, Liz put up a great fight until the end.  Her family would like to thank the staff at Baystate Medical Center especially the team on Wesson 3 and Mass Mutual 5 for their compassionate care and support at a time when the family could not be by her side.  They would also like to express their deepest gratitude to Sarah Gillman whose love for her aunt was unwavering.  She will be forever remembered by her husband Ahmad of Westfield, daughter Samira Zebian of Portsmouth, RI and son Adam Zebian, his wife Renata and their children Alexzander and Andrew of Chicopee. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas P. Savage and leaves behind her sisters Kathleen Guevin of Springfield and Ellen Gillman of Agawam as well as their husbands William and Mark.  She was beloved by many nieces and nephews as well as her best friends Avis Lemire and Ada Selwitz. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date when family and friends can gather safely. The West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.  For online condolences please visit curranjones.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.