Ann Sarkisian Boornazian

Ann (Sarkisian) Boornazian, 85, beloved wife of the late Sarkis Boornazian, passed away peacefully at her home in West Hartford surrounded by her loving family on June 18th 2015. Ann was born on December 28th 1929 in Hartford to Abraham and Rose (George) Sarkisian, the first of three children. Ann was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Sarkis. Ann met Sarkis through the Armenian Youth Federation in Hartford and they married in 1951 at the Trinity College chapel. For a short time, they lived in El Paso, Texas while stationed in the Army at Fort Bliss. Together they lived almost their entire marriage in West Hartford. Ann loved to travel and in 1970 they moved with their son Adam to Scotland. While in Europe, they traveled extensively, initiating a lifelong thirst to see different parts of the world. Ann was fond of trips to the Caribbean with her extended family and would travel often to be always present in the lives of her son Adam, daughter in law Toni and her grandchildren, Nicholas and Kristen as they moved many times throughout the USA. Ann’s support of family was unwavering and she was extremely proud of her grandchildren, encouraging them at every age and every turn. Ann worked at the Hartt School of Music and Butler’s Nursery at office management and bookkeeping. She was an avid gardener who maintained a beautiful array of flowers around her house, even as her mobility was severely limited. She was especially proud of the Master Gardiner certification that she earned from the University of Connecticut and her long time membership in the West Hartford Garden Club. Ann also served as treasurer of the University of Hartford Art School Women’s Auxiliary and was a member of the Hartford Junior Women’s Club. She was active in the Asylum Hill Congregational Church and was a fixture volunteering in their Thrift Shop for years. Ann is survived by her son, Adam and his wife Toni of Manhattan Beach, CA; her two grandchildren, Nicholas and Kristen of Hawthorne, CA; her sister, Sarah Titus of Newington; her sister in law, JoAnna Sarkisian of West Hartford and her brother in law, Bill Boornazian and his wife Lucy of Glastonbury. She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children, all of whom she adored. Her beloved brother, Norman Sarkisian predeceased her. Ann had a devoted circle of friends in West Hartford with whom she bowled, celebrated birthdays and regularly attended lunch. Ladies, she loved you all. Though she dearly missed her son Adam, living in California with his wife and grandchildren, she was extremely fortunate to have the support of her extended family and friends.

A special loving thank you to her nieces and nephews that supported her in later years. She could always depend upon her sister in law, JoAnna, brother and sister in law, Bill and Lucy; nieces and nephews, Kerry Bouthot, Robert and Gloria Sarkisian, Brian and Dawn Boornazian, Karen and Bob Nighan and the entire Carrabba family to take her to doctor’s appointments, host her for holidays and rescue her at home when her physical condition put her in jeopardy. Through the years, she had special people who cared for her. Thank you Jennifer Mooney and Sue Culshaw. Thank you to a special friend, Brian Crafts who started helping Ann maintain the house and became her trusted friend and supporter in times of need. Most of all, deepest gratitude to her niece, Cathy Sardilli and her husband Devin. Cathy changed Ann’s life as her primary caretaker in her last years, displaying a level of love, patience and understanding that could only be described as truly extraordinary. Because of Cathy, Ann was able to fulfill her life’s greatest desire, to remain in her home and maintain her pride of independence. Thank you Cathy.

Funeral services will be Monday (June 22) at 12 noon at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The family will receive relatives and friends TODAY (June 20) from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To share a memory of Ann with the family, please visit www.desopo.com.