Alma Sahagian, 94, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale, MA.
Born in Manhattan on November 12, 1929, she was the eldest child of the late Ardash and Nvart (Derstepanian) Sarkisian and the wife of the late Sahag Sahagian to whom she was married 48 years until his death in 2011. She was also predeceased by her son, Melkon Sahagian who died in 1988.
Alma attended Milford High School in MA before going to the New England Conservatory of Music where she majored in piano. She lived with her sister on Park Drive in Boston before a friend introduced her to Sahag. They married in 1963 and moved to the Netherlands for Sahag’s job where they traveled extensively throughout Europe for two years. Upon their return, they settled in Southborough, MA where they raised their two sons, Melkon and Stepan.
Alma survived the tragic death of her son Melkon at the age of 22 with a resilience born of faith and buoyed by deep friendships. Despite this unfathomable loss, she remained ever kind and gracious. Alma made friends wherever she went—from lifelong high school friends and neighbors, to the parents of her children’s classmates and the Compassionate Friends support group, church parishioners, and her puzzle club at the Goddard House in Brookline.
Alma’s great loves, in addition to her devoted family and friends, were gardening and art. She was an avid gardener and an active member of the Southborough Garden Club for decades. Her large and lush Southborough garden was a source of pride and beauty that she shared happily, contributing plants to the annual fundraiser sale and to her grateful family and friends.
She and Sahag greatly enjoyed attending the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She remained an active and eager cultural patron throughout her life—in her final year before breaking her hip, she went to the symphony, opera, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Ballet, and American Repertory Theater with her niece.
Alma is survived by her son Stepan Sahagian of Southborough, sister Zarouhi Sarkisian of Watertown, brother Vahan Sarkisian of New London, NH, six nieces (Jennifer Weissman, Tania Hiltz, Daniele Sarkisian, Jessica Sarkisian, Linda Belamarich, and Lisa Shemligian Hyde), two nephews (Eli Weissman and David Shemligian), and several grandnieces and nephews.
Visitation for Alma will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 10 am at the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin St. Framingham, MA 01702. A funeral service will be held in the church at 11 am following visitation. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Alma’s memory to the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators in Framingham, MA (holytranslators.org) or the Armenian Tree Project in Woburn, MA (armeniatree.org).
(Photo and Obituary via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home)
