Page 50 - AMAANewsJulyAugSept2021_Neat

Obituaries

Arsen Hekimian death, his health declined rapidly, and he studies at the University of Vermont, Flor-
Arsen Hekimian reluctantly agreed to move to the Uniting ence University of the Arts, and would have
of Canberra, NSW, Mirinjani Aged care facility late in 2020. graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
Australia passed away Arsen loved reading and gardening. He from Rutgers University-Newark on May
peacefully in his sleep had humour, was the master of stories, a 16, 2021.
on May 24, 2021. He great man, a good man, a loving husband, Nina was a prolific artist who worked
was 98. father, grandfather and brother. He wor- with various media as well as a vocalist,
Arsen was born on ried about everything that had to do with acclaimed by faculty for possessing
August 24, 1922, in the Armenian community in Australia and unmatched gifts and talent. She exemplified
Krikhan, a province in elsewhere. the desire to know and express oneself
with rich and vivid authenticity, living with
the previously known Armenian Cilicia, to The funeral service was held on May a sense of wonder at the world through
an Evangelical family. His parents were Dr. 31 at the Armenian Evangelical Church of vast interests in music, style and history. A
Vahan and Kohar Hekimian and his siblings Sydney and was officiated by Rev. Dr. Krikor voracious reader and lifelong learner, Nina
were Alice, Garbis, Aram and Hagop. He Youmshajekian at Arsen's request prior to was the ultimate conversationalist, having a
attended the local Evangelical Primary his death. deep and wide breadth of knowledge across
School, and continued his high school Memorial donations were designated various subjects. She was also trilingual
at Aleppo College, then known as the to the Armenian Missionary Association and passionate about her Armenian-
American College, as a boarding student. of Australia. q Italian heritage, creating a graphic short
Arsen’s father died early in his life, in story about the life of her grandfather,
1938. Around the same time, the Sandjak Steve M. Krikorian an Armenian Genocide survivor, and
province, where more than 35,000 Armeni- Steve M. Krikorian studying art in Florence. In the last year,
ans lived, was given to the Turkish Govern- of Royal Oaks, MI, a she greatly desired but was unable to travel
ment. They were forced to leave everything long-time supporter to and serve those in need in the war-torn
and migrate to Syria and Lebanon. The of the AMAA’s Child Armenian region of Artsakh, for which she
Hekimian family settled in Aleppo, where Sponsorship Program, had purchased a flag to fly in solidarity with.
they faced many more challenges, until the passed away on June 7, She was also an animal lover, particularly
British Army entered Syria. 2021 at the age of 79. doting over the family dogs, enjoyed live
As a volunteer, Arsen enrolled in the Born January 25, music and concerts, and just about any
British Army, and was accepted to serve 1942, Steve was the venue that would channel creativity. In
in the Army until 1946, starting off as an beloved husband of Doris and the lov- recent months, she had taken an interest
Army Interpreter. During WWII he received ing brother of Krikor "George" (Ann) in photography which she incorporated into
the rank of Sergeant. After the war, Arsen Krikorian, the late John and Elsie Kriko- her final projects at Rutgers.
worked at Iraqi Petroleum I.P.C. in Homs, rian and the late Lucy and Emmanuel Nina is remembered by family and
Syria, where with his friends established the Moshovos. He was the brother-in-law of loved ones for her infectious warmth, com-
Homenetmen - Armenian General Athletic Ray (Jean) Boujoulian. He was a mem- passion, sense of humor, selflessness, thrift,
Union and Scouts. ber of the Knights of Vartan and will be creativity, and thoughtful generosity. Tire-
On July 9, 1951, Arsen immigrated to missed by his nieces, nephews and friends. lessly deliberate in her relationships with
Australia and resided in Sydney. On April 26, Funeral services were held July 11, 2021 family and friends, she often crafted and
1958, he married Rosine Darakjian and they at the Armenian Congregational Church in gave gifts according to the most nuanced of
loved ones’ tastes and personalities. Nina’s
were blessed with three children, Vahan, Southfield, MI. A private burial service was expressiveness had a subtle meekness and
Herire and Zaven and four grandchildren, held at the Glen Eden Cemetery, Livonia, MI. sense of humor: While she shied away from
Dylen, Ruben, Aidan and Henry. Memorial donations may be made to giving a speech at her sister’s wedding, she
Working with some friends, Arsen the Armenian Missionary Association of toasted the happy couple with an Italian
played a key role in establishing the first America Child Sponsorship Program or to love song, having blessed the ceremony
Armenian Apostolic Church on Campbell The Fuller Center for Housing in Armenia.q with the bride’s favorite hymn, "It Is Well
Street, Surry Hills in the 1950s. In 1965, My Soul."
Arsen and his friends established Home- Nina is survived by her parents, Dr. Ara
netmen Antranig Chapter where he served Nina Mary Manougian (a former AMAA Board member) and Dr.
for nine years. Arsen was also active in the Nina Mary Ma- Toni Manougian; sister Ani, brother-in-law
Armenian Evangelical Church of Sydney. nougian of Saddle Marc Kiredjian, and nephew, Kapriel; ma-
In 1974, he and his family moved to River, NJ, passed away ternal grandparents, Vincent and Theresa
Canberra, where he lived the rest of his suddenly on May 6, Falcone; as well as several aunts, uncles,
life, but frequently came to Sydney to keep 2021 in a traffic ac- cousins and friends.
close ties with the community and friends. cident. She was 31. Memorial arrangements were made
He worked in Canberra as a real estate sales- Born and raised in private. In Nina’s memory, dona-
man and a salesman at David Jones before in Saddle River, she tions can be made to AMAA’s Sponsor a
starting his own successful retail businesses. graduated from Child in Armenia/Artsakh Fund, a cause
He retired in 1994. After his wife's Rosine's Ramsey High School and continued her that was very close to Nina’s heart.q

50 | AMAA NEWS, July-Aug-Sept 2021