Nelly Haigazian Constantian

CONSTANTIAN-Nelly Haigazian Constantian, was born on March 4, 1909. She passed away peacefully in her home June 29, 2006 at the age of 97. She was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena. Nelly was born in Kon ia, Asia Minor, one of six daughters of Dr. Armenag and Matilda Haigazian. Her father was a minister and a teacher at a boy's school in Konia. When the situation there became dangerous for Armenians in early 1921, Dr. Haigazian sent his wife and daughters to the USA where they had relatives. Despite the danger, he would not leave his students, and perished shortly thereafter. Nelly arrived in the USA around her 12th birthday. The family settled in Troy, New York for five years. Matilda remembered that Dr. H aigazian had been in Pasadena and spoke of it as a beautiful place, so in 1926 Nelly's sisters and widowed mother moved to Pasadena. Nelly was a "Pioneer Bruin", attending UCLA (then the UC Southern Campus) for two years on Vermont Ave., then two more years at the brand new Westwood Campus. She graduated in 1932, majoring in Art. She met Avedis Constantian at a family gathering and they were married in 1936. Nelly and Avy moved to San Diego during the pre-World War II years, both working at Consolidated Vul tee Aircraft. Nelly was a lofter, drafting aircraft components actual size, putting her art education to work. After the war, it was back to Pasadena where they raised their three children. Obtaining her Realtor's license, she sold real estate with Erla Imler in Pasadena for many years. She and Avy moved to Sierra Madre in 1964, and he predeceased her in 1989. Nelly was an artist (drawing and sculpture), and an avid flower gardener. Her goal was to have a garden that was in bloom year round, and she succeed ed. She loved keeping her mind active and took adult classes at PCC and Monrovia High School well into her 80's, until diminishing eyesight due to macular degeneration made it impossible to continue. Nelly is survived by her sister Pansy Irish of Rancho Bernardo, CA; daughter Elizabeth Constantian of St. David, AZ; daughter Linda Roselund of South San Gabriel, CA; son James Constantian of Monrovia, CA; granddaughter Jennifer Roselund of Santa Cruz, CA; grandson Andrew Roselund of Seoul, Korea; and many niec es and nephews. In her memory, donations may be given to Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon, through the AMAA, 31 W. Century Rd., Paramus, NJ 07652.