Shushan "Susan" H. Dakarian

Shushan (Susan) was born on December 24, 1929 in Baghdad, Iraq. Her parents fled Armenian villages near Van, in the heart of historic Armenia, as children, during the Armenian Genocide. Her mother was one of the orphans in Ghazir, Lebanon who weaved the Armenian Orphan Rug found in the U.S. White House.

Shushan’s genocide-survivor parents -- Hagop Muradian and Siroun Ohan Krikorian Muradian -- welcomed Shushan herself just before celebrating the 1930 New Year and Christmas. God's message to them was that the Armenian people will rise yet again. Shushan was named after one of her two paternal aunts who perished as little girls during the brutal 1915 death marches through deserts.

Shushan married Sarkis Simon Dakarian on February 21, 1954. Together they raised five children: Sona (Avedis) Mishigian, Simon (Terri) Dakarian, Mary Dakarian-Masek, Zvart/Julie (Robert) Nilges, Dr. Khachik/Chuck (Arshaloos) Dakarian.

Shushan was a loving mother and devoted wife. When she was done housekeeping she enjoyed reading the Bible and Armenian books before sleep, a love she had since her childhood as an outstanding student. She loved to cook, garden, and spend time in philosophical discussions with her family. Shushan's faith was strong in God. "Astvadz medz eh” (the Lord is supreme) was heard often. Shushan's was an encourager to those in despair. Her children will remember her courage and strength through life’s trials, most notably her impetus in moving her immediate family from Iraq to the US in 1968. She would walk through the Chicago snow to get groceries to prepare meals, and worked at Banker’s Life and Casualty when the family began to need an extra paycheck. She was generous to her church and family. Her laughter was most strongly connected with the joy in the eyes of children, to whom she liked to sing Armenian children’s songs.

Proverbs 31:25

"She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future."

Survivors include 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Her surviving siblings are Elizabeth (Vrej) Amerazian; Avedis (Hasmik) Muradian; and Hagop (Agata) Muradian, and their children, grandchildren, and her loving in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sarkis, and by her brother Aris (Margo) Muradian.

There will be a Church Service at 10am on Thursday, July 13 at the Armenian All Saints Church, 1701 Greenwood Rd., Glenview, IL 60026.

Interment will be in Fairview Memorial Park, 900 Wolf Rd., Northlake, IL 60164.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Armenian All Saints Church in Glenview.