Obituary of Laurice Buchakjian

Laurice Buchakjian (nee Mounzer) 87, of Englewood, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 17, 2016. Beloved wife of the late Dikran Buchakjian. Devoted mother of Gilda and Serge and his wife Anita. Cherished Grandmother of Patille, Tamar, Taleen Kupelian and Nina and Mark Buchakjian. Laurice was born in Beirut, Lebanon to Chebli and Nazira Mounzer. She attended École des Soeurs Besançon where she also taught for one year upon graduation. She then joined the Ministry of Telecommunication (PTT). She was married at the St. Nishan Armenian Apostolic Church in Beirut to Dikran Buchakjian. Laurice studied and mastered the Armenian language within a year, much to the amazement of her extended family and community, adding to her fluency in French, Arabic and basic German. Together with her husband's jewelry business she continued to support her family by working at the PTT for over 30 years, holding positions with increasing levels of responsibility. She emigrated to the US with her husband and two children, while commuting back and forth to war torn Beirut, and initially settled in Los Angeles, CA and then in River Edge, NJ and eventually in Englewood, NJ. Respected and deeply loved by all who came in contact with her, Laurice was always referred to as "the lady to emulate". She was a role model by her demeanor and grace, member of the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus and the First Presbyterian Church in Englewood, the Women's Club of Englewood and Senior Citizens Center of Englewood where she taught conversational French. A devout Christian who made sure she attended church no matter what denomination every Sunday. Laurice devoted her life to her family unconditionally. The family will receive their friends and relatives on Thursday 5 - 9pm, service at 8:00pm, at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street "opposite the Fort Lee Library". Funeral services will be held on Friday at St. Leon Armenian Apostolic Church at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 70 Main Street, Emerson, NJ 07630. For condolences, directions, information call (201) 944-0100 or www.frankpatti.com