Obituary of Vartouhie Rose Arevigian

Arevigian, Vartouhie Rose,. nee: Mardikian, age 97, of Fort Lee, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 22, 2021.  She was born and grew up in Istanbul, Turkey.  A loving mother to Rita and predeceased by her devoted husband of 39 years, Hagop Jack Arevigian, and her parents Mergerdich and Mariam and her sister Zepure, she is survived by her loving daughter in addition to many nieces and nephews and dear friends. 

Rose attended both the French Catholic School and Konservatuarı of Music in Istanbul where she studied piano. She spoke five languages which included Armenian, Turkish, Greek, French and English.

In 1956 a planned vacation to the United States changed the path for Rose’s future. While visiting a family friend, she met Jack and after a brief courtship they married in New York City and the US became her permanent home.

The newlyweds enjoyed many happy times socializing with family and friends in New York City, the Catskill Mountains and Asbury Park.

Rose and Jack welcomed their daughter Rita in March 1959. The three of them resided first in North Bergan before finally settling in Fort Lee where Rose lived until her passing.

Always taking great pride in her appearance and her surroundings Rose loved cooking and baking and sharing her gourmet dishes with family and friends. This was a great source of happiness for her.  A true creative spirit, her talents included beautiful needlepoint, crocheting & knitting, beadwork and artistic crafts. She enjoyed her small garden, and her home was a place of warmth and comfort where her hospitality knew no limits. 

Active early on with the American Legion she also volunteered for many years at St. Thomas Armenian church where she enjoyed working on church functions.

While up for new adventures in her midlife, Rose took a job working at Prentice-Hall and the Institute for Business Planning in Englewood Cliffs.

After retirement and in her later years, Rose enjoyed spending time with her daughter Rita, traveling, and spending holidays with family and friends.

Her witty storytelling and her amazing memory easily brought the past to life with genuine warmth.

Vartouhie dedicated her life to her family and her friends. A loving, kind and generous person she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The funeral service will take place in St. Leon's Armenian Church in Fairlawn on Monday, 9/27 at 10:30 a.m. All those attending the service are asked to wear a mask. In Rose's memory donations can be made to St. Leon Armenian Church at 12-61 Saddle River Rd, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 or to the Fund for Armenian Relief (F.A.R) located at 630 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10016 For condolences, directions, or information www.frankpatti.com or call (201) 944-0100.