Helen Carapetian Fieldson

Helen Carapetian Fieldson passed away on May 31 at the age of 87 with her family by her side. She was born on her father’s birthday in Tehran, Iran. She came to the United States for a joint program at Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs, North Carolina and graduated with a BS in Medical Technology from Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. That is where she met her husband, Thomas L Fieldson, MD. They were married until his death in November 2013. She was also predeceased by her parents, Sarkiss (Sam) and Tigranuhi (Tina) Carapetian and her brother Armen Carapetian. She is survived by her children Stephanie (James) DeFilippo, Gregory (Sara) Fieldson and Christine (Amin) Ashrafzadeh and eight grandsons, Michael (Kim) and Daniel (Lena) DeFilippo, Armand, Cameron and Aram Ashrafzadeh, Samuel, Joshua and William Fieldson, sister Armineh Koundakjian and sisters-in-law Nadya Carapetian and Maxine Fieldson as well as many nieces and nephews. While small in stature, she was strong in spirit, once described as an iconic force of nature with a great sense of style. Sometimes affectionately called Hurricane Helen, she had a strong will and sense of determination. Helen worked at Southern Maryland Hospital in the lab for many years until hip surgery forced her retirement. She was a voracious reader, lover of languages, opera fan and world traveler. She was most proud of her children and their families. Her Armenian heritage, culture and faith were very important to her and an integral part of her identity. Shy in a group, but charming in one on one conversation, she touched many lives over her decades amongst us. Calling hours will be at Huntt Funeral Home, 3035 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD on Friday, June 16 4:00-7:00 PM. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 17 at 11:00 AM at Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church, 4906 Flint Drive, Bethesda, MD. Burial will follow immediately at St. Thomas Church Cemetery, 14300 St. Thomas Church Rd. Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741 or the Armenian Relief Society of Eastern US, 80 Bigelow Ave. Suite 200, Watertown, MA 02472.