Joan Najarian Leko

Born on April 5, 1934, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Joan was the beloved daughter of Armenian immigrants Aroosyeg (Jacobian) and Karekin Najarian. She grew up in South Boston, where she developed a lifelong love of art, music, learning, and adventure. She was a graduate of Girls’ Latin School and the Massachusetts College of Art.

Joan enjoyed a long and fulfilling career that began in commercial art. She worked for Court Square Press, Vose Swain Engravers, Studio Six in Boston, Werbeagentur Westphal in Stuttgart, Germany, and Buchanan and Kiguel in Alexandria, Virginia. She later spent many happy years with the National Sheriffs' Association, where she served as a receptionist and managed the sheriffs’ merchandise shop at annual conferences. She especially enjoyed meeting sheriffs from across the country and formed many lasting friendships through her work.

In March 1971, Joan married Toma Leko. Together they lived in Stuttgart, Germany, before returning to the United States in 1973, where they welcomed their daughter, Nina. The family settled in the Parkfairfax neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, where they enjoyed life with nearby relatives, close friends, and wonderful neighbors. Joan had a gift for making people feel at home, and the friendships she and Toma cultivated became an extension of their family.

After Toma’s death in 2007, Joan continued to live in Parkfairfax for many years, enjoying daily coffee gatherings with friends, crossword puzzles, and time with family. Following a fall in 2022, she moved to Centreville, Virginia, to live with her daughter and family. She cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren and was surrounded by love and devoted care, including that of her beloved caregiver, Sonia Colindres.

Joan will be remembered for her artistic gifts, quick wit, wonderful sense of humor, resilience, and generosity. She had a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went and cherished those friendships throughout her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Nina Lord, and son-in-law, John Lord, of Centreville, Virginia; her grandson, Ethan Lord and his wife, Annette, of Bay City, Michigan; her granddaughters, Emily Lord, Alice Lord, and Irene Lord; her beloved cousins, Vivian Portner and her husband, Ed, and Paul Samuelian and his wife, Donna; and many extended family members and dear friends.

A visitation will be held at St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, 4125 Fessenden St NW, Washington, DC 20016, on July 17, 2026, at 11:00am. Followed by a Funeral Service at 12:00pm.

A Committal Service will be held at Rock Creek Cemetery, 201 Allison St NW, Washington, DC 20011, on July 17, 2026, at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made in Joan Leko’s name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude-now.html) or St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, DC (https://donorbox.org/stmaryschurch-2).