Yevgenya Arakelova

Yevgenya A. Arakelova was born of Armenian parents, Ankin and Avanes Torosyan, in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, on July 30, 1929. She had two sisters and 4 brothers. In 1947, she married Bagrat Arakelov, and had two sons, Edward in 1949, and Arek in 1952.

While raising two sons in Baku, she worked as a seamstress. She was known for always helping everyone, especially family members. She was generous with her time, and was loved by all. In 1966, her beloved husband, Bagrat, passed away. In 1980, now at retirement age, she moved from Baku to Yerevan, Armenia. Sadly, in 1982, her beloved eldest son, Edward, passed away, leaving behind a wife and several children. In 1984, she met and married Haig, her second husband. They lived together in Yerevan until his death in 1991. She was fortunate to have travelled widely throughout the Soviet Union during many vacations that she took during her working years as well as in retirement.

Her final trip was to the United States of America on April 29, 2010, where she joined her son, Arek, and his family in Lansing, Michigan. She enjoyed her new life in America. She was a member of the Armenian Community in Lansing, a community formed of immigrant Armenians from Baku and Armenia within the past 25 years, and who had found freedom and safety in America. In December 2015, Yevgenya became a naturalized American citizen.

After several years of illness, Yevgenya entered into eternal rest in Lansing, Michigan on March 7, 2016 at the age of 86.

Mrs. Arakelova is survived by her loving son, Arek, and daughter-in-law, Gyulchora, of Lansing; a sister, Bella, in Moscow; a grandson, Bagrat Arakelov (Anahid) in Yerevan, Armenia; a grandson, Sergei Arakelian (Anna) in East Lansing; a granddaughter, Stella Arakelova in Stavropol, Russia; a granddaughter, Zhanna Sahakyan in Pyatigorsk, Russia. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Armenia, Russia, and America.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI with Father Christopher Rozdilski officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. For those desiring, contributions may be made to the family in Yevgenya’s memory. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.