09/28/1932-01/22/2022
by Hasmik Atoyan
A man and a woman meet one day in Cairo, Egypt. The young woman’s husband had been murdered by Turks. The man’s wife had also been murdered, his children had been carried off. The couple married in Egypt and had 3 sons. One day in 1932, the oldest son came home from school and saw his mother praying by an image of the Virgin Mary. She asked the Virgin to bless her with a daughter with golden hair and sky blue eyes. Months later, a beautiful little girl comes into the world, She was named Mary in honor of the Holy Mother. Mary had a splendid childhood in Cairo amid the love of her parents, the adoration of her brothers and the warm embrace of her aunts, uncles and cousins. However, Mary’s life took a drastic turn in 1945. Lured by Soviet propaganda, the Gnajians left their prosperous life in Cairo and moved to Armenia. The family faced many hardships along the way, including robberies and extended periods of hunger. The family arrived in Armenia with a single suitcase, faced with learning new languages, customs and laws. The years ahead were very difficult, marked by poverty, hunger and the constant threat of being sent to Siberia. However, life went on and the family learned to make the best of their circumstances. Mary helped her family by standing in line for food and fetching water from the local well. It was at this well that she met her soon to be husband at 20. Harutyun Hatikian fell in love with Mary at first sight, and after many well-timed well visits, the couple married in 1952. The couple was happily married for over 50 years, and Harutyun loved Mary until the end of his days. They had 3 children—Hovhannes, Hasmik and Sarkis. Mary was a loving wife and mother, keeping a tidy house full of the spirit of God. Her children were her first priority, and she went to any length for their happiness and well being even if it meant waking the nurse next door at night to give them penicillin when they were sick. Mary was a woman of her word and always kept her promises. She was an excellent cook who truly cooked with love. Her home was always warm and cozy, with the best of everything offered to her guests. She was a dedicated friend and neighbor, who truly loved people, helping anybody who needed help in whatever way she could. After moving to America, she financially supported several families sending over whatever she could without expecting anything in return. She also helped several families immigrate to Los Angeles, housing them in their tiny apartment in Hollywood when needed. Her family was her pride and joy, and she spent many years searching for relatives that were lost during the Genocide. She was very dedicated to her nieces and nephews—on both sides of the family, and a beloved aunt. Mary and Harutyun were very loving and supportive parents who were very proud of their children. Their eldest son Hovhannes and his wife Ojen have two sons—Arthur and Garen, and a grandson named Sam. Hasmik and Albert have two daughters— Hrachuhi and Lilit, and three granddaughters named Ani, Emma and Lucy. Sadly, the greatest tragedy of Mary’s life was losing her youngest son, Sarkis, to cancer. He is survived by his wife Varduhi. Mary spent her life surrounded by the love her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren showering them with her love and attention in return. She was a woman of great faith, praying for virtually everyone she knew every night. Her heart stopped beating on the morning of January 22, 2022. May God forgive her sins and grant her eternal peace along with her beloved husband, son, and all those loved ones who have passed before her. Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, you will be in our hearts forever.
A visitation for Mary will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Alexander - White - Mullen Funeral Home, 11101 Saint Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, Missouri. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 28, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the funeral home with burial immediately following the service at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, 11101 St Charles Rock Rd, Saint Ann, Missouri.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.alexanderstlouis.com for the Hatikian family.
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