The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)

August 6, 2010
NAASR Mourns the Loss of Helen Mardigian (1922-2010)

NAASR benefactors Helen and Edward Mardigian mardigians
The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) mourns the loss on August 4 of Helen Mardigian (1922-2010) of Royal Oak, MI. The wife of the late Edward Mardigian, Helen was a long-serving (1991-2004) member of NAASR's Board of Directors. With her husband, who served on NAASR's Board, she was a major benefactor of NAASR throughout the fifty-five years of its existence, in addition to supporting many other Armenian and other causes and institutions.

Long-time member of NAASR's Board of Directors, former Bentley University President Dr. Gregory Adamian remarked, "Helen was a wonderful and benevolent individual. She is irreplaceable as a person and as a dear personal friend and a friend to NAASR and Armenian Studies."

NAASR Board Chairman Raffi P. Yeghiayan stated, "We are deeply saddened by the news that Mrs. Helen Mardigian has reached her eternal rest. Helen and Edward have been long-standing members and generous supporters of NAASR in all its activities. The Edward and Helen Mardigian Research Library at NAASR is a premier repository for books in the Armenian, English, and other languages available for scholarly research. Our sincere condolences to the Mardigian family on this loss. May God rest her soul in peace."

Past Chairman Nancy R. Kolligian observed that "Helen and Edward Mardigian's generosity towards NAASR, and, indeed, the generosity of the Mardigian Foundation, will never be forgotten by this organization. We would not be in our Headquarters building nor would our library that bears their name have made such great advances without the steady support of the Mardigians. Helen and Edward's good works will endure."

NAASR's Founding Chairman Manoog S. Young worked with Helen and Edward for many years during his chairmanship. "We are so saddened by Helen's passing, who with her husband Edward, was a dedicated, longtime member of and generous donor to NAASR," said Young. "Helen was a firm believer in the advancement of Armenian Studies as represented by NAASR's purposes and programs. She was dear friend who was always available when needed and will be greatly missed."


More About Helen Mardigian

A directive by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian on Helen Mardigian may be accessed here: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/news-and-media/news/in-memoriam-helen-mardigian-1922-2010/

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