Anne Bohigian Zindars

Anne Bohigian Zindars (Annig Zindarsian)
January 12, 1931 – May 1, 2024
Annig Bohigian Zindars was born in 1931 – in Fresno – but she was always quick to add that she only lived in Fresno long enough to be born there! Born into an Erzeroumtzi family of migrant workers that survived the Armenian Genocide, it wasn't long before they were on the move again, settling in Emeryville to work at the Del Monte canneries. In 1939, the family put down roots in San Francisco and opened a small grocery store in the Richmond District, where Annig would help out with her brother, Paul, after school. She lived within walking distance of all her schools Alamo Elementary, Presidio Junior High, and Washington High School where she graduated in 1948. From there, she went to San Francisco State where she graduated in 1952 and then ultimately earned a Masters in Music in 1956, specializing in the study of ancient Armenian "nume" or "khaz" musical notation. She also concurrently received her California teaching credential in Music.
During college she started a vocal group called "The Axidentals". While they got their start in San Francisco, their popularity steadily grew to the point where they were touring all over the United States in prominent night clubs like the Copacabana and the Apollo Theatre from 1955 until 1961. They were on national TV shows such as the Steve Allen Show, the Arthur Godfrey Show, and the Bob Hope Show, and they shared the stage with some of the most recognizable names in jazz and entertainment, including Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Burnett and Dinah Washington. In 1961 they headlined at the Radio City Music Hall, where she met her husband-to-be, Earl, who was the timpanist in the orchestra.
The following year, she called her mother in San Francisco and announced that she was getting married. Annig's mother, Hamaspure, who was a very progressive-minded old-country Armenian, merely asked Annig to please wait so that she could come to New York and meet her fiancée. Upon meeting Earl, Annig's mother gave her complete approval – on one condition: that when they have children, they will raise them as though they were 100% Armenian. They gave their word, and were married in New York City in 1962 by then Prelate of the Armenian Church, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian. Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans was their Best Man. Shortly thereafter, they moved to San Francisco to raise their two daughters, Helene and Karen.
To help support the family, Annig worked for George Mardikian as his secretary until his passing in 1977. In 1980, wanting to remain in the midst of the Armenian community, Annig became the first secretary of the KZV school. The church *also* needed a secretary, so at the request of Der Hyre Datev Kaloustian, Annig worked a half a day at the school, and then a half a day at the church, until about three years later, when a new secretary was found for the school. Annig then worked full time for the church until Father Kaloustian retired. Since that time, she went on to serve with ten different pastors.
Since her early twenties, Annig was also deeply involved with the Armenian Relief Society. She was a long-time President of the San Francisco Garin Chapter and was Chairlady at numerous regional conventions. She also held positions on both the Western Executive and Central Executive committees for several years. Annig's mother was a founding member of the San Francisco Antelias Association, where Annig later became President of this dedicated group of women that supported the Antelias Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon for three generations.
Staying true to her musical and Armenian roots, Annig composed many "sharagans" throughout the years, some of which have been published in the "Hask" journal by Catholicos Aram II. While most of her compositions were of a spiritual nature, she also wrote nationalistic works, as well as jazz and classical compositions.
In 2005, Annig lost her beloved husband, and quietly assumed retirement. After a year or two, however, she was called back to serve again, and she continued to work part time in the church office for several more years.
St. Gregory's was truly Annig's second home. She volunteered as church organist there every Sunday for over 50 years. That's over 2,600 Sundays! There are currently three stained glass windows in the church that she and her family donated over the years, including the angel in the choir loft.
No account of Annig's life can go without mentioning the apple of her eye, her grandson Evan (the son of her daughter, Karen). Although he is only one quarter Armenian, he speaks, reads, and writes Armenian fluently, which was a great source of comfort and pride for Annig. Even as her health was declining, Evan brought his grandma to church every Sunday.
Annig died peacefully at her family home in San Francisco, and was surrounded by her daughters and grandson who sang with her, prayed with her, and took turns saying "I love you" and "Thank you"
Able to move both mountains and hearts, she will be deeply missed.