NANCY KANDOIAN Obituary

KANDOIAN--Nancy Armen, died on May 16, 2022, after a long illness. A lifelong New Jerseyan, she was best known as a Map Librarian at the New York Public Library for over 40 years. She was the youngest daughter of the late Armig G. Kandoian and Jane A. Erganian MD (Kandoian), proud aunt of Nicholas Armig Sweeney, dear devoted sister of Janet A. Kandoian and Ellen Kandoian Sweeney, as well as brother-in-law Richard J. Sweeney. Nancy was especially beloved by all who shared her passions, who partook of her baking and cooking, who shared her love of gardening and train travel, who shared her devotion to her Armenian heritage, and who enjoyed Medokawanda Camp reunions and Medomak fiber arts retreats. We will find Nancy everywhere but especially in the love and gratitude of all who knew her. We hear her gentle but meticulous voice in her exquisite NYPL blogs, for Pi(e) Day in the Map Division, Cartography of America's National Parks, as well as Map and Genealogy Resources for the 100 year commemoration of the Armenian genocide in 2015. Nancy lived her 70 years with love, persistence, and grace.

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Published by New York Times on May 22, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for NANCY KANDOIAN

12 Entries

Greg Farrell

January 24, 2024

Such is that light, it endureth evermore - in gracious love.

Carol Robichaux

July 26, 2022

I am saddened to hear of Nancy's passing. She was such a kind and loving soul. She and my Mom, Amy, were close and talked often on the phone. They were cousins. I am sorry I was not able to visit Nancy before her passing. Sincere condolences to all her friends, family and all those who held her dear. Hugs, love, prayers. Carol Robichaux

Bill Tobey

July 21, 2022

I also wanted to add that I visited Nancy at the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue on a number of occasions, one time with my daughters, teenagers at the time, who were in awe of the library´s exhibits and Nancy´s mastery of the map division. I also had the pleasure of perusing her well-crafted book about the mapping of the national parks.

Bill Tobey

July 21, 2022

It was very sad to hear of Nancy´s passing. I attended elementary and junior high school with Nancy in Ridgewood and we remained friends throughout our lives. She was perhaps the most thoughtful, considerate, and intelligent person I have ever known - and she had a wonderful smile! I remember performing with her in the Wizard of Oz at Ridge Elementary - she had a major role in the production for which I and fellow classmate, David Leach, were the piano accompanists. My wife and I live nearby Nancy´s alma mater, Mt Holyoke College, in western Massachusetts, where we met for lunch a few year´s back. Nancy also invited a crowd of Ridgewood High School alums to her home in Ridgewood at our last reunion. She was well-loved by all! I will miss her.

M. Jaffe

June 25, 2022

I fondly remember her service and assistance at the Map Division.

Stan Knight, Ridgewood High Class of 1970 / Classmate

June 22, 2022

Dear Kandoian family,
I wish to send my condolences (and sense of shock and sadness) on the passing of Nancy. I learned this sad news suddenly just now, while searching for Nancy, as I plan to visit Ridgewood and New York (from California) on the occasion of the RHS Class reunion coming up in September. She was always one of the smartest, unassumingly talented people in my classes and among the sweetest as well. Nancy and I saw each other at a RHS class reunion 10 ears ago and I was going to take her up on her standing offer of a tour of the NY Public Library and map rooms. (I was also somewhat aware of her Armenian heritage and have always had a strong sense of support for the historical legacy of the Armenian people). I can only say that my sympathies are with you, Nancy's family and loved ones at the loss of one very fine, highly intelligent and gentle soul. Sincerely, Stan Knight (Napa Valley, CA)
(RE enclosed photo: I was in the Ridgewood High ski club)

Meg Grotti

May 26, 2022

"Auntie" Nancy has always been a special person in my life and career. My mother and Nancy were library school colleagues and lifelong friends. I loved trips to NYC as a kid with my mom where stopping by the NYPL to see Nancy was always a highlight. I clearly remember the long hall where I could peer through an ornate metal grate and see Nancy working at her desk in the map room. When I became a librarian myself years later, Nancy and I would sometimes meet up for lunch or dinner at conferences. She was inspiring both as a professional and as a lady with no fear about traveling and navigating cities and trains- something l aspire to! I will miss her so very much and I am so grateful for her example and her love.

Carolyn Jean Kadri

May 26, 2022

Nancy was a wonderful friend and colleague. She will be missed. My condolences to her family.

Tamara Fultz

Planted Trees

Selina Lin

May 26, 2022

Although we worked at different libraries (NYPL and U of Iowa), Nancy and I had become good friends from being conference roommates for more than a decade. I remember joining her from Iowa on Amtrak to San Francisco for my last ALA conference in 2015. It was such a lovely experience. I have learned a lot about, and come to appreciate her Arminian heritage. Nancy was such a dear, gentle soul. I will treasure my memories of her. Dear Nancy, Rest In Peace.

John Millar

May 23, 2022

Sincere condolences to Nancy's friends and family. We were friends in G.W. Junior High School and Ridgewood High School. Always sweet and impressively smart. Thoughts and prayers for you and her.

Wendy Wiepert Sidener

May 22, 2022

My sincere condolences to your family upon Nancy´s passing

At our last RHS reunion she had some of us over for a delicious brunch - she was a wonderful and gracious woman and she will be sadly missed by me and many others
Love and prayers to you all

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