Paris Avakian

Menands  Paris (Perouz) Avakian, long time and well-known resident of Menands, passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, May 26, 2002. Born in Armenia to Dicran and Arshalouse Kasparian, she came to the U. S. with her parents at an early age, and was educated in the states.

She was loving wife of 57 years to the late Berj Avakian, devoted mother to daughters Dr. A. Nancy Avakian and Mrs. Betty Jane Nevins, and son-in-law Mr. William T. Nevins. She was also caring and nurturing to her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She studied voice under Prof. John Carabella, sang at many functions and throughout her life was an ardent supporter of the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the Albany Institute of History and Art. Her careers spanned numerous fields, among them; she was an interior decorator. She was also Calendar Secretary for Senator Lloyd Paterson of the NYS Legislature and worked for 
Colonie Town Supervisor Fred Field.

She was honored as the first Mother of the Year in the new millennium by the Daughters of Vartan, Shakh Ortyag, to which she belonged. She and husband Berj were Vice Presidents of the Mr. & Mrs. Club of St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, where she was also a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary. She belonged to the Eastern Star of the Masonic Lodge of Troy, was an active member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Menands Fire Department, as well as the Elks of 
Watervliet.

She was extremely active in the Armenian Church circles, teaching Sunday School at St. Peter, and distributing gifts to children on holidays and special occasions at St. Peter, Holy Cross and United Armenian Calvary Congregational Armenian Churches. She was hostess to numerous priests and bishops of the Armenian Church, as well as State Legislators, Judges, Commissioners and Regents of the State Education Department

There will be no public calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services honoring the life of Paris Avakian on Tuesday, May 28 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, 100 Watervliet-Schenectady Rd Watervliet, followed by interment in the family plot at Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands. Special gifts of remembrance in her honor may be made to the Paris Avakian Fund in care of Bryce Funeral Home, 276 Pawling Ave., Troy, NY 12180. 

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