Susan Dermargosian

Susan Avedisian DerMargosian, 91, of Farmington, CT passed away on November 18, 2021.  She was the wife of the late Stephan DerMargosian to whom she was married for 60 years until his death in 2012.

Sue was born in the Bronx, NY on April 25, 1930, the daughter of Garabed Avedisian and Vartouhi Der Tatiosian Avedisian.  Her father died when she was 4 years old.  She often commented that some of her happiest childhood memories were spending summers between the ages of 4 and 7 years old in Newburyport, MA with her father’s brother, Melkon Avedisian and his family.  At age 8, she and her mother moved to New Britain, CT where her mother remarried to Setrak Der Boghosian who became her loving, devoted stepfather.  She graduated from New Britain High School in 1947 upon receiving a full scholarship to Hillyer College of the University of Hartford from which she graduated in 1949 with an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science.  For many years after, “the college girls” remained close and had their regular get-togethers.

Sue was an active lifelong member of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection in New Britain, CT.  She was chairman of the church Women’s Guild at which time she created a community service volunteer program.  She also instituted informative lecture events by inviting leaders in the community to speak at guild meetings.  Sue also took pride in creating and chairing a cultural committee for 6 years that produced a yearly concert series at the church with music by the New Britain High School Madrigal Singers and other local artists.  In addition to producing beautiful music for the community, this committee raised funds to purchase a baby grand piano which remains today a cherished item in the church.  Sue sang in the church choir for over 40 years.  She had a beautiful and powerful voice that would fill the church with her solos.  She was also a member of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) organization.

As her three children were growing up, Sue was always there for them.  She loved being an at-home mom, supporting their activities, education and interests while volunteering for numerous school and community programs.  Later in life, it gave her great joy to be a loving and proud grandmother to her two granddaughters.

Sue was a volunteer for the Democratic Committee of Farmington as well as New Britain General Hospital.  As her children got older, she returned to her profession as an Administrative Assistant to the R&D Director of Emhart Corporation for 5 years.  She also was an active realtor for over 20 years.

Sue and her husband Steve loved entertaining with family and friends.  Cookouts and parties at their family’s home in Farmington were filled with new and old acquaintances, lots of food, stimulating conversations, singing and lots of laughter.  Family summer vacations at Hawks Nest beach in Old Lyme, CT will always be cherished memories.  In her private time, she had a passion for reading and cultivating her flower gardens which included her favorite dahlias.  Thanks to her lifelong appreciation of the arts, she encouraged her children to pursue their own artistic talents.

Sue focused on the positive and with a force of character and strong determination, fulfilled the many things she wanted to accomplish in life.  Most of all, she will be remembered for her giving spirit and her strong dedication and love of her family.

She is survived by her children; sons Stephen and his life partner Matthew Clark of Asheville, NC; Philip and his husband Giovanni Fretti of Bergamo, Italy; daughter and son-in-law Brenda and David Jermakian and granddaughters Talene and Ani Jermakian of Wilbraham, MA; sister and brother-in-law Henrietta and Richard Kallajian of Wethersfield, CT; and nephew Michael Kallajian, wife Sarah, and children Emily and Brian; and nephew Gregg Kallajian, wife Melanie, and children Nicholas and Anna, all of Wethersfield.  The family is most grateful for the compassionate care Sue received in her later years from her aides, nurses and doctors at JGS Lifecare in Longmeadow, MA.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 24, at 11:00 a.m. at The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, 1910 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT.  Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery, Smalley St. in New Britain.  Calling hours are Tuesday, November 23, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 South Main St., New Britain.

It was Sue’s wish that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, 1910 Stanley St., New Britain, CT 06053 or to The Armenia Tree Project, www.armeniatree.org.