Rosemary Arakelian, age 82, of Livonia, passed away peacefully with family at her bedside Sunday, April 14, 2024. Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Michael (Carol) Arakelian, Melinda (David) Morse, and Charles (Terri) Arakelian; her nine grandchildren: Caroline (Ethan) Garrison, Nicholas Arakelian, Rebecca (Aaron) Kilo, Maria Arakelian, David (Jonathan) Morse, Rosemary (James) Flemming, Alexis (Alex) Sirrey, Michele (Dan) Helner, and Emily (Greg) Weeks; her ten great-grandchildren; her sister, Kimberly (Dan) Meagher; and her two nephews: Robert (Hope) Winter, and Ryan Winter. Rosemary was also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.
Rosemary was born April 30, 1941, in Detroit, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Kemmeth and Eleanor (Torosian) Heckman. Rosemary was introduced to the love of her life, Mike Arakelian, while enjoying a day out on Walloon Lake. Rosemary and Mike began dating, and were eventually married in 1964, sharing many wonderful years together until Mike’s passing in 1987. After graduating from high school, Rosemary knew that she wanted to pursue a career in education. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Michigan University and continued her love for learning by obtaining a master’s degree. Rosemary devoted her professional life, of over forty years, to Livonia Public Schools, where she taught until her retirement in 2011.
In her free time, Rosemary could always be found spending time with her family or her beloved dog Harry. She also enjoyed spending time in her kitchen, baking and cooking for others. Some of her fondest memories were made on family trips up north over the years. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be dearly missed.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Heckman, husband, Mike Arakelian, and parents, Kemmeth and Eleanor Heckman.
Rosemary’s family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A gathering time will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Friday morning and a Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Livonia Chapel of the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. A luncheon will follow the funeral service on Friday at Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green in Farmington Hills; all are welcome to attend. Rosemary will be laid to rest at Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 am.
Rosemary’s family respectfully requests that guests who would like to send floral arrangements place their order through French’s Flowers in Livonia.
