BETA NAHAPETIAN

For Beta
Healing Light: A Celtic Prayer

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Of the flowing air to you
Of the quiet earth to you

Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you

W E M I S S Y O U ! We miss your party ways. We miss your dancing ways. We miss your rebel ways. We miss your loving ways. We miss you . . . .

IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, BETA

Beta jan, it is nine years to the date (November 4, 2013) since I bid my last farewell to you in the most dreaded day of my life. I have written this before and I will write it again. I cannot forget that day. You were in no condition to talk or even look at me. Your eyes were closed and you were not responding to my touch but your heart was beating and your lungs were working at a very slow pace. I hope you could hear, Kate, Eta and I.

I called the hospice doctor who came and examined your vitals. He told me you were on your way to leave me for the last time and I felt so helpless. This time in our journey together, you were close to your destination. You were on your way to a place that has been unknown and mysterious from the beginning of life on this earth. If there is a heaven then I am sure you are there and I hope I can join you someday. But, your memory will always stay in my heart and in my mind and I will miss you until by my final wish, or by a miracle, we may join together again.

I was fortunate to have your company for 45 years. You made my life exciting, filled with love and blessed by many achievements and my greatest was to have you by my side. Nothing could replace your company. I do admit that we had a few ups and downs. You gave me two lovely daughters and four lovely grand children. They carry our genes and so we are in a way together. When I look at them I see you but I still miss you very much.

You were one of a kind. Not many people were fortunate as I to share your bright, independent, confident, competitive, loving and kind nature. You were never satisfied with what you achieved and you always strived for the ultimate in every aspect of your life. From the first time I saw you in our gathering to this day, I have loved you and I will miss and long for your sweet smile forever. May you soar in the infinite vast space and hover over your children and grandchildren always and forever.

November 4,2022

IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, BETA

November 4, 2022

IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, BETA

Beta jan, it is nine years to the date (November 4, 2013) since I bid my last farewell to you in the most dreaded day of my life. I have written this before and I will write it again. I cannot forget that day. You were in no condition to talk or even look at me. Your eyes were closed and you were not responding to my touch but your heart was beating and your lungs were working at a very slow pace. I hope you could hear, Kate, Eta and I.

I called the hospice doctor who came and examined your vitals. He told me you were on your way to leave me for the last time and I felt so helpless. This time in our journey together, you were close to your destination. You were on your way to a place that has been unknown and mysterious from the beginning of life on this earth. If there is a heaven then I am sure you are there and I hope I can join you someday. But, your memory will always stay in my heart and in my mind and I will miss you until by my final wish, or by a miracle, we may join together again.

I was fortunate to have your company for 45 years. You made my life exciting, filled with love and blessed by many achievements and my greatest was to have you by my side. Nothing could replace your company. I do admit that we had a few ups and downs. You gave me two lovely daughters and four lovely grand children. They carry our genes and so we are in a way together. When I look at them I see you but I still miss you very much.

You were one of a kind. Not many people were fortunate as I to share your bright, independent, confident, competitive, loving and kind nature. You were never satisfied with what you achieved and you always strived for the ultimate in every aspect of your life. From the first time I saw you in our gathering to this day, I have loved you and I will miss and long for your sweet smile forever. May you soar in the infinite vast space and hover over your children and grandchildren always and forever.

Beta jan, everyday early in the morning when I start my exercise on treadmill I listen to dancing music and I often close my eyes and imagine I am dancing with you. Sometimes I feel it is real until I open my eyes.
I miss your sweet smile while we were dancing in our church parties.
Many hugs and kisses from beyond.

You are a thousand winds that blow

You are the diamond glints on snow

You are the sunlight on ripened grain

You are the gentle autumn rain



When we awaken in the morning hush

You are the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight

You are the swift stars that shine at night

IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, BETA: A letter for you, Beta jan.

My dearest dear Beta, it is eight years since our last farewell. Your anniversary, brings back memories of our last days together.

I remember the day you told me "Ara jan, I cannot take another chemo any more".

You had seen your mother in her old age and you had realized the hardship Alpha and Lillian were going through by taking care of her. You told me you did not want to get old and helpless like your mother. You made Eta and Kate promise if you ever became helpless they should not take care of you.

We went to your oncologist, Dr. Smith´s office for the last time. He wanted to start another chemo but you told him, you could not take it anymore. He then asked all the nurses that had taken care of you to join us in his office. They all bid their last good bye to you and one of them kissed my head. May be because she knew what was ahead of me. They all had fallen in love with you just like any body else that had met you before. You were indeed one of a kind. They arranged for us to meet the hospice people who helped us in your final days at our house and in your bedroom. That is what you wanted. They had given me medications that I used to put under your tongue in the final day when you were closing in to your destination. At that stage you could not drink any liquid. The following night you started an abnormal breathing that made me call the hospice and they sent a doctor. He examined your vitals and told me the end is near. I called Eta and Kate. On the last day, you closed your lovely eyes forever but you were breathing.

I was thankful that when you were in between two phases of your life, on this earth and the space beyond, you were surrounded with all three of us and we were holding your hands and head hoping that you could hear and feel what we said and how we felt. In the end we were all together while you were on your way to beyond.

When you took your last breath I lost my most precious person and companion in my life. Nobody could come close to how precious and unforgettable you were for me. You had told me "Ara do not be stupid, find somebody after me and live your life". I tried but nobody could replace you and I could not go back to my youth. Besides, I remembered when you first heard Andre´s song "Get Me Gisher" you loved it and reminded me of one specific piece of the lyric. It said "one night in your warm embrace is enough for my life". I was fortunate to live with you for 45 years and your sweet memories will be enough for the rest of my life.

Beta jan, you were a natural and all of your friends who kew you and all those that came across you felt your intimacy, love, affection, self-confidence and respect. Your competitive nature your lively attitude was infectious. You made me a better man. You transformed my jealous destructive love to your true love.

I miss you very much and so do Eta, Kate, all your grandchildren and all our family and friends. A few months ago I received two e-mails at the same time from two of our friends one was from Nadereh. She had send me photo of a beautiful actress writing that she reminded of you and she missed you. The second e-mail was from Hamid, Farideh´s husband. He had written that Zabalenka, a Russian tennis player, reminded him of you. He had written that he missed you and he could imagine how much more I was missing you.

I keep hearing that time heals but I have found it is not true, at least not in my case. I miss you very much and you are always in my mind. You are unforgettable.

Good bye my sweet love, my beloved, wife, Beta jan.

The beautiful photos of her in here are a lovely reminder what a cheerful, beautiful and loving person she was and still is in my mind and heart. Always think of her in loving thoughts. What a beautiful soul. Loving you all the way Beta jan. Take care.

In your sweet memory our frontyard is abloom with your roses, Beta jan (5/28/2021)

Your roses are in bloom, Beta jan. In your sweet memory (May 28, 2021).

IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, BETA

Today, is seven years since you left us on that dreaded day (November 4, 1913) in our bedroom. It was the worst day of my life. I lost my most cherished, precious soul mate to eternity. It created a huge void in my heart that I can feel it to this day. I still remember vividly Kate’s eyes that were filled with sorrow, pain and bewilderment asking me “did mom stop breathing”? And my answer was “yes”. Beta jan, I do not know if you were aware of the circumstances in our bedroom. You were lying down with your lovely eyes closed but I could hear your faint breathing. I was holding your head and Eta and Kate were holding each of your hands and Kate was spilling her heart out telling you how much she and the rest of us loved you. You were the dearest person in my entire life. I have never loved anybody more than I loved you. How could anybody not love you? In addition to your loving nature and sweet smile, you were beautiful, full of life, full of energy and full of confidence. Anybody who came across you and saw all those undeniable qualities, could not help to adore and long for you. Your competitive nature marveled me in every occasion. Early on, when I was not in the picture and you were young you excelled in your schools both intellectually and physically. You were the star in every subject you got involved except sewing and cooking. Once you told me that your cooking teacher had told you “nobody will marry you”. How wrong she was. It was that competitive nature that brought the two of us together. Our story is long and full of excitement and intrigue. I intend to document it in writing, for the sake of your precious gifts to me, our two daughters and four grandchildren and for the rest of our family and friends. I had a few goals in life but the one goal that was most challenging and at the same time most rewarding was winning your heart and marrying you. I consider myself very fortunate to have your lovely invaluable and exciting companionship for 45 years. Your precious memories will be my company as long as I breath.

IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED WIFE, BETA

Monday, November 4, 2019 is six years to the day since I lost my beloved wife, Beta. That day in Autumn was the worst day of my life. My two daughters and I had to bid our last farewell to the one we loved most in our lives. We kept her embraced to her last sweet breath. She was the most beloved person of our family and friends. Our beloved Beta was the brightest star that was visible whether the sky was cloudy or it was full of other stars. The day we pledged our union vows at the church in Watertown, MA was the happiest day of my life. Our union was my greatest treasure and achievement that lasted 45 exciting years passing like a dream. She was like the golden chalice that many reached to get but somehow I managed to be the fortunate one. She was loving, caring, bright, courageous, full of energy, life and confidence. In one sentence, she was one of a kind. Anyone that met her fell in love with her because they felt the charm and love aura with her company. She was a natural. Her surviving family, friends and anybody that came across her miss her warmth and love so very much. She left me with her precious memories our two loving daughters and four lovely grandchildren that keep me going until I reach to my final destination in this journey called life. On Sunday, we all gathered for lunch in a restaurant and celebrated our most beloved and most precious person's life because knowing her that is how she would like us to remember her. She loved life and she did not like to go to funerals.

IN MEMORY OF MY SWEET BELOVED WIFE, BETA

Thank You for the reminder. Actually I had made a mark on my calendar but could have easily missed it. It is not only on the anniversary of her departure that I think of her. A lot of times I would come across an article, a movie or a poem where I think I've got to email of copy of this to Beta and then it hits me, oops she is not there.
She must have our father's genes, he was exuberant and cheerful practically most of the time. Yeh, we all miss you Beta. Thank You for your love and friendship. What a lovely soul. You take care out there.

I never forget you, Youre always with me. You taught me to love and life, may God bless your soul. Zohreh

How can I express my feelings for Beta? In 4th of November 2013 I lost my dear beautiful friend, in this day,every year I feel Sad but thanks to God to let me had such a friend full of love and life. She taught me a lot. May God bless her soul. Zohreh

She was funny intelligent full of life. One of my best memoirs with her that i can tell is I had my first ride in a very first automatic car back home it was a car name Paykan she came to Rasht with that car and took me and Eta to Bandar Pahlave in that car and I was fascinated riding in a car that you didn't have to shift gear never forget that day, God bless her soul.

Beta I love you so much and I feel soooo sad that you are not here and we can not see your beautiful face.

May God bless your heart and soul, and you're always in my heart. I don't ever could forget you. I miss you so much.

Yesterday was my beloved Beta's birthday. She was born on
September 19, 1944. As she grew she shined with her charm, wit, liveniness, kindness and love. In my. To me, she was a genius, she excelled in everything she did. She had a pure heart, and she was bold and fearless to the end. When her shining light turned off on November 4, 2013 my world went into darkness. But she specifically had asked me and my daughters that when she is gone we should maintain her lively spirit and we should go on living remembering her love for life. Because indeed it is a gift to be alive especially when nobody knows what lies beyond. We believe but we are not sure.

I was sorry to hear About our cousin Beta's passing away. While I didn't have the chance to know her and the family well, the few times that I met her whether in Rasht, Iran or Glendale California. She was the most cheerful and the brightest woman that I have ever known. She will always be remembered. Like her, may we too spread love and joy to those around us.
Sirov,
Karine Partamian(Hovsepians)

Dearest Mom - we are still missing you and thinking of you every day. I feel you with me often - but especially when I am having fun, dancing, and hugging the kids. I try to live by your example, but none of us can be so patient and kind like you were with us! Lots of Love.

Dear Beta you are missed sorely and remembered fondly every day .

And sometimes we feel that you are watching us as we trudge along.

May you rest in peace.

Well, I submitted some loving notes for Dear Beta's anniversary, hopefully it will be included by tomorrow. When I checked a little while ago it was no there.
I am including a photo as well, incase the first did not go through.

Omega

I emailed Beta's immediate family recently acknowledging the upcoming anniversary and my suggestion that hopefully after a year of sadness we should celebrate her joyous life with good cheer, drinks and merry making. She would not want us to remember her in any other way. I am sure she would want to see us happy about us, her and the joy she brought to every one of us.

Luckily tomorrow Nov 4, will be sunny in this little village in Ireland, so I will take a long walk reminiscing about Dear Beta, the joy she brought to our lives, her kindness, her love and her good cheer; just like M.G., always in good cheer. In the evening I will have a glass of wine left over from Linda's visit last week and then watch a football game on the Telly recalling her sporting achievements as well among her all other achievements in life. What a fantastic soui. As Abbass wrote a yar ago re Beta's passing:
"From her photo I can sense the jewels of her heart"

She continues to live in each one of us. Good cheer to her immediate family and to all of her friends.

with love, Omega

Dear Ara and Family
Dear Beta will always be remembered with her sweet smile as long as her friends live,
May She Resi In Peace.

Beta jan will always be in my thoughts and heart. Her loving spirit lives on...
With love,
Helga

JAN/JAAN

Then there was the word “Jan or Jaan”. To me it is a word when used following someone's name it showers that person with sincere love and closeness, but it does not have any sexual connotation. It is a word Armenians and Persians use a lot when addressing family and friends. Some may translate it to “Dear” in English. But it is not exactly the latter word. In Armenian language the word for “Dear” is “Sireli”. To my knowledge English language does not have this word in the real sense and meaning. The word that comes close to it is “beloved”. But this word too, does not have the same effect or meaning.

My beloved Beta used the word “Jan/Jaan” when addressing her loved ones, family and Armenian or Persian friends when she spoke in Armenian, Farsi or eve in English. Following our wedding and many years thereafter she would address me as “Ara jan”. But I would address her “Beta” in my oral communications and “Dearest Beta” in my written communication. The word “Jan” did not come easy to me. It did not mean I did not love her. I just could not express my love naturally and openly. Today my children would call it stiff. It was one of her mother's complain during her visits with us. She would say to Beta, you are calling him Ara jan, Ara jan but I do not hear him call you Beta jan. Then I would say, Beta calls all her family and friends with “Jan” and the “Jan” word is not used solely when addressing me. That was a major difference between Beta and I. She was a natural. She loved everybody she use the word for addressing individuals wether she knew them or they were complete strangers. That made me feel less special (how wrong I was). She loved crowds and I loved solitude and being with her alone. Her love was pure inside and out. In her daily communications she made people feel important and loved using the word “Jan”. Some males including I mistook it to sexual love. But that was far from truth. Her “Jan” expressed spiritual rather than any other kind of love.

She liked playing cards, starting with bridge (the most favorite game of her life), black jack, rummy and tar nib (most popular card game in Beirut). Her women's rummy group used to joke and call me “Ara jan” when they gathered in our house for the weekly orgy for the game. It started with lunch, fruits, nuts (while playing), lots of tea cakes and Armenian pastries.

By then I had learned to say the “Jan” word from my “Beta jan”. I was blessed by her goodness, big heart and loving nature. She had brought me out of my shell. The name Beta and the word Jan became one.

Jan/Jaan is a great word in Armenian and Persian languages. We should use it as often as we can and shower our family and friends with pure love, compassion and kindness. That was the most frequent word used by my beloved Beta jan.

My beloved Beta's favorite musical instrument was the Akordion. I may be repeating myself but she used to say she fell in love with people who played the instrument. May be that is why she loved my father a lot. Unfortunately, I never learned to play it but despite it she married me and lived with the musically untalented Ara for 45 years. I consider myself very privileged and fortunate for those years.

BETA'S ROSES

Our beloved Beta's last wish was to be cremated after passing and she asked her ashes to be spread around rose bushes I had planted in front of our house. Her wish was fulfilled a few days ago. From this day on the roses are named “Beta's Roses”. The bushes have just started to grow and bloom. One of the bushes is shown in the photo. She adored the “Knock Out Roses” just last year when she was looking down at them from her window on our second floor. She always wanted to look beautiful, youthful and adorable like the red roses in front of our house.

FOR MY BELOVED WIFE, BETA

"Where you used to be,
There is a hole in the world,
Which I find myself constantly
Walking around in the daytime,
And falling in at night." Edna St. Vincent Millay

TO MY ONE AND ONLY VALENTINE, MY BELOVED WIFE BETA,

I remember the first day I saw you in our gathering in Tehran which was organized by the search committee of US AID for the first year and second year students who had earned their scholarship to study in American University of Beirut. I saw a slightly plump (in a good and sexy way) girl with a sweet smile with full confidence, representing first year students (I was in the second year student group) that gave a beautiful speech thanking AID for giving the opportunity to all of us to study abroad in an American University with all expenses paid. I have told you before and I am telling you now that, it was the day I fell in love with you without you knowing. I decided there and then that you will be my life companion. I wanted a wife that would be independent and could survive if life circumstances took us apart. And you were the one. You had a great attraction for me, you were vivacious (a word you liked very much), exciting and lit the room when you made your entrance. Naturally, a girl like you would have many candidates and young guys longing to be with. I had a long list of competitors to overcome.

I remember the first Sinzabedar we went with a group of friends to the Beirut sea shore. You looked gorgeous. Our picnic was followed that night by our first romantic dance together in a Beirut dance club. I felt the world was in my arms. That was the night that our on and off love encounters were initiated. I remember the off parts were initiated by you due to my competitors. But you knew I will always be there for you.

I remember the day I came to visit you in Tehran during the summer holidays with a box of chocolates. I met your parents, MG and Acher. Your brothers, Alpha and Omega were in America at the time. I asked you to come to Jugha with me. Your mother pretended to be against it. She said “It is not proper for a girl to go to another town with another fellow alone but your father was encouraging you to go. Finally she gave her consent. I remember our bus ride to Isfahan. It was the most exciting venture for me. Just the fact that I was sitting next to you during our five hours trip, gave me the greatest pleasure I had ever felt.

I remember our time in Isfahan. It was Easter and our family was busy coloring eggs and you immediately started coloring eggs with them. In no time you managed to be part of our family. Everybody in my family fell in love with you. My mother offered you to stay with us but you had promised your mother you would stay in a hotel (As if it would keep us apart). You also, wore our ancestral Jugha dress and charmed everybody pretending to be bashful, which was not really part of your personality.

I remember the day we got engaged in Tehran, you and members of our families were present, but I was in Cambridge, MA. My memories of that night are photos I received showing your beautiful face and sweet smile dancing with our family members and friends. I was so excited that the day I was waiting for, for years was finally coming to fruition.

I remember the day we got married. You were twenty minutes late and I was afraid you might be having second thoughts and my best man was jokingly telling me “Ara it is still not too late you can leave the church” and Der Torgom was walking nervously back and forth on the Altar. You finally showed up, the most heavenly site I had seen in my life. You were so beautiful, graceful, full of confidence with your sweet heavenly smile radiating and illuminating the church by your presence. And then began our journey together for forty-five years.

I love you very dearly and I miss you even more. May God give you peace and eternal life with no pain and suffering. I have one consolation, that you no longer have to endure side effects of chemos you had for the last eight years. Your memories will always be in my heart. You will always be in my mind. You will not be forgotten as long as I live. Fly freely and hover over your dear children and grand children for they miss you very much. My dearest, sweetest, and most beloved wife, Beta, for me, you will always be one and the only one Valentine.

Beta you were one of the most wonderful people that GOD allowed to walk on this earth. I will cherrish the many loving times that i shared with you. Though my heart was sadden when i initially heard of your cross over, I rejoice in your relief and new adventure. You truely touched my life more than i could ever express.

Ara, thank you so much for telling me. Eta was kind enough to call me last week. I plan to write her a thank you as well. I'm so sorry for your loss. Beta was so special and I know you must miss her terribly. I know she only had wonderful things to say about you. And I always loved how she talked about you and how you treated her like a queen. I will never forget all the great times I had with Beta. Even though we only worked together for a short time, I have such fond memories of those days at the FBI together. I just can't imagine the hole she's left in your family. She was a larger-than-life presence and an absolute joy to be around. I will miss her dearly and regret that I didn't get to enjoy her more while she was with us. I will never forget her and I am so sorry she left us all so young. She will be missed by everyone she touched in her life.

Beta was such a wonderful and unique person that I hardly know what to say about her. She was a terrific aunt, always a lot of fun to visit or to talk to on the phone. It seemed like she was always full of energy and could find something funny or happy in any situation.

I remember at my wedding when the Armenian side of the family started dancing traditional dances and some of the other guests didn't know what to make of it. Beta got up with a hankerchief and started showing others what to do. Soon everyone was on their feet dancing around the room. Afterward Esme's relatives told me how much fun they had and asked was that wonderful lady that helped everyone get going. Of course, it was Beta.

Another time, after my daughter Matilda met Beta for the first time, I asked Matilda what she thought of her great-aunt. Matilda (who was around 2 years old at the time) said "She's scary ... but she's fun!" and finished with a big smile on her face. I think what she meant was that Beta was almost like a force of nature, exciting, full of energy, and (for a small child) a little bit frightening (but in a good way).

I will miss her and remember her fondly.

Love,
-Emin

Darling Beta, I love this photo. Always the torch! Miss you more every day and cannot not think of you all the time. Playing rami, having a drink or two, checking in and out of a hotel, asking the poor guy at the hotel for ice at 2 in the morning, listening to Vigen for hours and….. lots and lots of things will never be the same without you.
Rest in peace darling, without you, nothing exciting going on.

Sweet and loveable Beta,
I will remember your smile as long as I live.

Thank you being my friend.

AnnyRose

I do miss our darling Beta. My only consolation is to go through pictures, old and recent and remember the moments relating to them. This one is so much her when I first met her. May be Ara will change his mind and see in her Greta Garbo rather than Ava Gardner!

We met Beta at AUB, where she was the center of attraction in any gathering,
especially the Iranian ones. She could dance well and so could Ara (was that
the trigger? ). We have very pleasant memories of Beta and Ara from the AUB
days; with the whole group walking the paths of the AUB farm, with Beta doing
the Armenian dance and Gaspar playing his accordion.
In Shiraz, where we landed in search of a job, after giving up on the idea of returning to Beirut of 1976, Beta and Ara gave us the support that we so badly needed. Beta introduced us to the IEI bridge club and and we became friends with many of their friends. That made our life much more pleasant.

Whenever we all gathered in Isfahan in our parents house, it was all fun and
loud Tarnib games and delicious Kabab Koubideh grilled by dad. However one had to pay attention to the social
order. Beta, being the Metz Hars, had certain privileges that were to be respected and she enjoyed her status a lot.

What a pity that our families had to be separated for such long periods of time as Beta and the family left for the US. On the very few occasions that we later met Beta, the old bonds and the happy times returned once more; but for a short time only.

At Lily's wedding in Germany, Beta was her old self again; but occasionally
her suffering could be felt. What a pity!

Dear Beta we have only pleasant memories of you.

Sally and Vahe Nahapetian
Hamburg,Germany

November, 27

We have very cherished memories to Beta.
In 2002 we got acquainted with the Nahapetian family in connection
with the wedding of our son Stefan with his very dearest Kate.
Ara And Beta welcomed us in their warmly family and we are very grateful for that.
We have get acquainted with Beta as a special, warm, energyful, goodlaughing and especially a hospitable woman.
A dear mother for their daughters, sons in law and a dear nanna for her grand-children.
Frans remembers the special moments with Beta outside Stefan's and Kate's house in D.C. on the porch, in wintertime, together sitting in the chairs with winterjackets, smoking cigarettes, drinking white wine and good conservations about life, the past and the future.
Last june Beta has spend a little vacation with us, Stefan, Kate, Diran and Zaven in Delaware, Bethany Beach and she enjoyed that very much and we too.
We cherish these special moments.
One thing is sure, we will miss her very, very much!

Frans and Anja Deichmann, from The Netherlands

I remember first meeting Beta when she visited the Arlington townhouse that Eta and I shared about 20 years ago. She was in town from Delaware, attending a bridge tournament. My first impression of Beta echoes the story told by her nephew. To use his daughter's words, “she is really scary” (in a good way) but oh how much “FUN”! She had an infectious smile and laugh. She was warm and generous, and her ebullient personality was an outward expression of her pure and caring heart. Beta instantly broke down any defenses and made you feel relaxed, welcomed, and loved. She was also so encouraging and uplifting. I feel so fortunate to have seen for myself how she interacted with her family. She was filled with God's light and love, overflowed with it, and shared it with everyone in her life. The way she touched so many lives with such exuberance and joyfulness was, to me, a clear indication that she had a divine appointment here on earth. Her home was filled with warmth and hospitality, delicious food, and great conversation and storytelling. Through the years, her presence at happy and even sad occasions was a blessing. I remember her compassion at my father's burial and how she approached me at his grave to tell me in such an uplifting and comforting way that the cool breeze that passed through was him. I know that you will continue to feel her presence in your lives. People like that don't ever leave us. She is not one ever to fade from memory or ever to vacate the hearts she entered so fearlessly and vivaciously.
Much has been noted of her many accomplishments. Some I knew about, and others I learned for the first time. All of it underscored yet another one of her amazing qualities—humility. She certainly was not meek or unassuming, but neither was she boastful or arrogant. Instead, she was kind and caring toward all, always quick witted and hilarious, and confident and self-assured in a rare way that drew people in. She did not set out to put her greatness on display but brought to attention the greatness in others.
I'll never forget shopping for bridesmaids' dresses with her and Eta for Eta's wedding. I was trying on one dress after another, all styles, even strapless numbers. It was a challenge. As I stood there, awkwardly draping an elegant wrap over my bare shoulders, Beta turned to us and exclaimed: “You girls today don't know how to wear these dresses! In my day, we knew how. And we sat in the club, smoking our cigarettes, and the men brought us drinks. We knew how to wear them!” We burst out laughing at ourselves and at her wonderful honesty.
Chris and I remember how at our wedding, Beta came through the crowd on the dance floor, approached Chris and laughingly proclaimed: “I have a new name for you! Your name is Lucky Man! You are a Lucky Man!” After that, every year we looked forward to receiving her Christmas letter. And in it, she addressed us as “Dear Lucy and Lucky Man.” We loved it! But weren't we—all of us—the lucky ones . . . Yes, we were the lucky ones . . . So lucky to have known such a great, great lady.
She leaves behind a beautiful legacy in her family—in her wonderful husband; in her daughters who are so much like her; and in Ani, Alenoush, Diran, and Zaven. May you all be comforted by the memories of her “magic” and by your love for each other—that's where she lives on. Thank you for sharing your wife, mom, and nana with us. She was love.
with love and prayers, Lucy

Words cannot describe how we feel about Beta's passing. Life is not going to be the same again without her and her kind, vivacious, warm and lively character. She is missed sorely as a sister and sister in law. One thing that comforts us is that Beta is not gone forever; a bit of Beta is in Eta and Kate and her grandchildren whom she adored, so Beta's legacy and continuation is very much alive.

It is as if Beta is now on another wavelength and that we all are going to get there in our own time; is this not the inevitable part of living? But as she herself has mentioned she had a good life, and this needs to be celebrated.

Dear Ara may your memories of Beta give you strength and comfort.

Alpha and Lillian Martinian

23 November, 2013

Sophisticated, intelligent and beautiful. My ideal woman, that is how I thought of her.  I remembered that phrase when we were having an argument recently. She was successful in everything she did. She was unusual in many ways, just like my Dad. One room in the family house was always allocated to a class room. When Beta was about 7 or 8 she would go into this classroom and for hours pretend she was teaching the virtual children. She was quite serious and at times I could hear her laying out strict rules for the children. No wonder years later when Ara and Beta moved to Shiraz for Ara's teaching post, she set up a most successful nursery there.

In later years I recall mom telling me ‘ a sister is very precious, appreciate her'. How true indeed. Other than all her generosities towards me and my son Emin, we were lucky to have a sister as teenagers as we learned to dance with her and her dear friend Eerren (Irene in English) our neighbor at the time in the old country. It is amazing how she looked up and re-connected with childhood friends. I was surprised to see Irene when I visited Beta in D.C. on Kate's wedding. I was always amazed by the number of friends she had.

I will need to include Eta's horoscope that she received right after Beta's departure.

Just because you said goodbye to someone doesn't mean that they still can't inspire or affect your future in a positive way. You take them with you wherever you go, and they will always be a part of you. So try to switch from sadness to gratitude that you ever got to know them in the first place! Your feelings are important to honor, but you cannot let them control your goals in life. Use your head today and start moving again, in a new direction.

She was the most vivacious and loving person I knew. She lit up any room as soon as she entered. She valiantly fought cancer with so much courage. She used to say that you cannot know joy without pain. I am in pain, but it is because I had so much joy with her. I will celebrate her beautiful life that included living, working, dancing and playing bridge around the world. Her spirit soars above us and lives on in the family and friends she touched with her magic. I will especially remember her warm, effervescent, joyful, energetic spirit, whenever I see a beautiful bird flying high in the sky. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK, TO THE MOON AND BACK, TO THE MOON AND BACK MOM!

"I call this the struggle of life". See how she devours every bit of air she can breathe into her lungs, see how confidently her stron arms cut through the water. The water which is engulfing her is symbolic of life with all its possibilities and obstacles. She can either choose to sink in it or to fight. Whether she wins or not is entirely secondary, what matters is that she can at least say that her fight gave some meaning to her life. I love Beta in this picture, don't you?" This caption to the photo was written by her brother Alpha. Her father MG, had added "This is what Beta means Dear Dear Ara"

Beta was a dear friend -- so full of life, so full of energy, fun loving and fun to be with. We loved to hear her laugh, and our gatherings will be much quieter without her. There are no words to express the depth of sorrow and loss we feel, and we know many share our grief especially her beloved husband who we know feels it most. We will all miss her terribly. Faith teaches us to believe that we all come from the Lord and we will all return to Him. Beta is now with the Lord, not a bad place to be.
With love, Mahmood & Barbara

We love you Mom.

Dearest Ara

BETA'S MEMORIES WILL ALWAY BE WITH UNTIL WE JOIN HER. MAY YOU YOU ACCEPT THIS NATURAL DESTINY AND CHERISH LIFE WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND GRAND KIDS.

I had not seen Beta since 1970's. I have lost much I believe. Massoud

With Beta gone, for me half the dictionary is gone, fun gone, she is irreplaceable. We talked our own language, special words, special memories, making us laugh like crazy which made some people around us a bit confused and uncomfortable, but we just did not care! and did not stop the fun. I am glad to have seen her last and even then she wanted me in the room all the time, of course ordering me around too. On Sunday afternoon she asked me about my niece, she knew her well. I told her "I've said it all," she said repeat!

She was demanding, but also loving and GIVING. I don't think I have ever had or will have a friend who could even remotely resemble her. A gem she was and I miss her terribly. She thought me to argue, instead of just be passive and try to be loved. She called me her vain friend.
I LOVED HER SO MUCH. Ara, Eta and Kate, thank you for giving me the chance to see my lovely beta until the last. I with you "courage" as the French say.

Dear Family and Friends,

I am just overwhelmed by your kind words and by the number of people who have responded for my loss. At first, I started to respond to your condolences individually but I soon realized that it will be an impossible task, especially when I am overwhelmed by my loss. Thus, I have decided to respond to you all by this communication.

When I first married Beta, I knew that I was marrying a gem and a unique person. She was so full of life and energy. Her sweet smile, love, support both spiritually and financially and kind heart lit my life. That light is gone now for ever and I am left by her unforgettable memories. I hope that her memories will keep me going, at least for the sake of my dear daughters, grand children and their loving husbands. Anybody that new Beta was captivated by her vitality and vivacious character. That made me very jealous because I loved her so and I thought since she was married to me she should not pay attention to anybody else. It took me years to realize that I could not force her to do so. She had that unique personality that impressed anybody that had the shortest contact with her. They were my family, friends, doctors, everybody. She made all of us feel special. She was not very religious but her actions, kind heart and her deeds were in sink with every religious teaching I know. Those who knew us both had the impression that I was the one who had more of the spiritual qualities but they all were wrong. She really had all the good qualities and teachings of my Christian beliefs in action and practiced them genuinely without knowing or claiming to be a true believer in God. She was a genuine spiritual person, more so than anybody I know in my life. She had no jealous bone in her body. She was filled with love and when she entered any room in our gatherings she filled it with her goodness and liveliness.

I miss her beyond anybody's imagination and I can only keep on going by her memories and love I received in our 45 years of marriage, for which I am very grateful.

I thank you all for your kind words. I know they come from your heart. I do know, nobody could resist not loving her.

May god bless her sweet and kind soul. If there is a heaven, I am sure she is there.

I love you and thank you all for your support and condolences.

Ara, without his sweetest, dearest and most beloved Beta

My condolences to Beta's family and friends. Beta was very colorful and fun to be around. When she visited Iceland many years ago, I went with her and Soley's sisters to the Blue lagoon. Beta, a former swimming champion, enjoyed the wonderful surroundings there and swimming in the natural pool in the lava field. On the way home my car almost broke down and was having hiccups and jumping on the road for half an hour while limping into town. Beta and the girls enjoyed this twist to the trip and there was a lot of laughing.
We went to two of the best fish restaurants in Reykjavík. The food there is often excellent, but the chefs must have sensed they had very special guest and the food was simply amazing and very memorable to both of us.

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Beta. Her energy, spirit and smile will truly be missed. I am truly blessed to have known and worked with Beta.