Victoria Manoukian Sakayan

Victoria Manoukian Sakayan was a woman who genuinely had it all: grace, beauty, intelligence, humor, compassion, talent, and an infinite supply of love. She was born on September 10, 1934, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the daughter of Armenian genocide survivors. She was the youngest of five siblings. Tragically, when Victoria was only 19, her mother died of cancer; this traumatic event left an indelible impact on her for the remainder of her life.

Independent, strong, and forward-thinking, Victoria was way ahead of her time. While most women pursued family life, she carved out a career path, working in real estate and administering a private school. She traveled the world, reconnecting with family members dispersed as a result of the 1915 genocide. It was during such a trip to visit her uncle in Washington, D.C., that she met her future life partner. Victoria, a stunning beauty, athletic and smart, confounded many by not marrying sooner. Her Uncle Aram, determined to find her a suitable husband, set her up on several dates. Among the suitors was Harold Sakayan who, after just fourteen days of courtship, asked for her hand in marriage. Victoria accepted, embarking on what would become a beautifully lived fifty-nine-year marriage.

Victoria and Harold were longtime residents of Potomac, MD, where they raised two daughters, Michelle and Claudine. She lived life to the fullest, enjoying many dear friendships. An avid tennis player for years, she cherished her close group of tennis friends. She was also a skilled home chef with an extraordinary attention to detail; Victoria regularly delighted friends and family with exquisitely crafted gourmet meals. Her insatiable curiosity about the world led to extensive travels, and she passionately supported nature and sustainability projects, including reforestation. Known for her green thumb, her gardens were always a gorgeous display.

Before the digital age, Victoria was the original search engine. She tirelessly sought out relatives on her family tree, connecting with living members worldwide. Thanks to her efforts, her extended family remained close-knit. Maintaining strong ties with her large family in Argentina, she often traveled there and hosted numerous family members in Potomac.

In their retirement, Victoria and Harold split their time between Naples, Florida, and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. A dedicated abuela, she lived to spend time with her four beloved grandchildren, who eagerly learned her delicious recipes and cherished traditions. Loved by a vast community worldwide, Victoria's passing leaves a void in the hearts of so many who received her loving touch.

Victoria is survived by her husband, Harold Sakayan; daughters, Michelle Sakayan (Michael Wilkinson) of Chicago and Claudine Ozzello (Paul Ozzello) of Berkeley; and four grandchildren, Aram, Vincent, Avril, and Victor.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Arbor Day Foundation or Lymphoma Research Foundation in her honor.

https://lymphoma.org/