ALICE AROUSIAG BOYAJIAN

I know you soar with angels now and that your heart has wings. I know you're watching over me whatever this world brings. Alice Arousiag Boyajian was born on February 10, 1928, in Providence, RI, and passed away on Friday, May 6, 2016, in Fresno, CA, at the age of 88. Her father, Garabed, was from Kharpert, Turkey and her mother, Koomar, was from Zartarag, Turkey. Her parents were married in Kharpert. They had a daughter and in early 1915, Garabed came to the United States to find a place to live and earn enough money to send for his wife and child to join him in America. Shortly after his departure, the Armenian Genocide began and Koomar and her infant daughter were taken from their home by the Turks. She was put into a death march with many other Armenians who were being "deported" from Turkey. Her daughter died as a result of the harsh conditions of the march, but Koomar survived and escaped to Paris, France where Garabed was able to send her money so that she could be with him in the United States. Garabed and Koomar reunited in New York City and subsequently relocated to Providence, RI because of the large Armenian population in that area. Their daughter, Alice Arousiag, was born in 1928. Her father said that she was "good luck" because after her birth, his business began to thrive. Alice would speak fondly of her friends and family in Providence. She would often say that those were some of the happiest years of her life. She attended Hope High School where she had wonderful memories of her friends. After high school, she pursued her passion for the arts and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. She secured a job drawing maps for the United States Army. Throughout her life, she would use her artistic talents to create beautiful sketches and paintings for her family. Alice adored dancing and rarely passed up an opportunity to kick up her heels at an event. She loved to talk to people about an array of topics. Alice was not one to mince words, however she was always friendly and engaging with whomever she was having a conversation. She had a presence about her that always seemed to bring an element of excitement to the lives of her loved ones. She will be dearly missed. Alice is survived by four children; Rupen, Annette Gulian and her husband Michael, Alice Bedrossian and her husband Ohannes, and Tony; five grandchildren, Kathy Shahbazian and her husband Randy, Jenny Shamp and her husband Josh, Michael Gulian and his wife Adrina, and Dominic and Gabriella Bedrossian; five great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Natalie Shamp, Jacob, Aaron, and Elizabeth Shahbazian. A Graveside Service will be held at Ararat Cemetery on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. A memorial luncheon will follow. In Alice's memory, donations may be sent to St. Gregory Armenian Church, P.O. Box 246, Fowler, CA 93625; or Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 2226 Ventura St., Fresno, CA 93721.