Armenouhi Kololian

Armen (to her friends), Ma (to her children and children in law) and Nene (to her grandchildren and great grandchildren), was loved and revered by all who knew her.

Armen was born in Cairo, Egypt to survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who had fled to Egypt in 1915 from Turkish Armenia. Armen was an incredibly strong and resilient woman with an indomitable spirit. When the family immigrated to Canada in 1962, at a young age and with two young children, she took on the numerous roles of homemaker, business partner to her husband, while also teaching French in the Toronto elementary school system.

As they established themselves in Toronto, Armen took on many leadership roles in the community, in particular within the Toronto Armenian Community and more specifically in the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). In collaboration with the ARS, Armen and Kevork founded the ARS Kololian Elementary School which continues today with an enrolment of over 600 students.

Our Nene was a force of nature. Her advice, some might say command, was always “be kind and do good!” Whenever in a celebratory mood, she would exclaim “YOOPEE!” especially when the Raptors were winning!

Armen was predeceased by her loving husband, Kevork. She leaves behind her two children, Vahan (Susie) and Nairy (Yervant). She is also survived by four grandchildren, in whose success she delighted - Hasmig (Chahe), Krikor (Christina), Christopher (Morgan) and Tanya, along with six great grandchildren- Lenya, Karnie, Kaya, Charles Armen, Felix and Julien.

We will really miss her but know that her legacy lives on in everyone’s life who she touched. Far too many to count…and for that we are forever grateful and truly inspired.