Grace Sirvirt (Nee Nedurian) Haledjian
Grace Haledjian, 100, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2021. She was a resident of Inglemoor Center in Englewood, NJ.
Grace was born on March 10, 1921 in Philadelphia, PA. Her parents, Vram and Aznive Nedurian, were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Grace graduated from West Philadelphia High School and the Presbyterian School of Nursing in Philadelphia, marrying Vahe Haledjian in 1942. They moved to New York City and welcomed four children. The family moved to Teaneck, NJ in 1954 and had a fifth child in 1957. They remained Teaneck residents for over 35 years. Grace returned as a Private Duty nurse in the 1960’s at the prestigious Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan.
Grace dedicated her principled life to her family and her Christian faith. She was a devout member of several churches over the years. She strongly believed in service to others and donated her time and support to charities helping the less fortunate. She served as a nurse and translator to victims of the Armenian earthquake of 1988 who came to this country for medical assistance also participating in a blanket drive for the victims. She played an active role with ‘Church Women United’, whose mission is to celebrate unity and diversity, while working for a world of peace and justice.
She was an excellent cook and would often stay up late into the night preparing amazing traditional Armenian dishes which she lovingly shared with family, relatives and friends through the years. She was also ahead of her time extoling the benefits of eating healthy and taking care of your body will lead to a long life. It certainly worked for her.
Grace was a true lover of art, music, literature and history and so enjoyed taking her grandchildren to museums to expand their appreciation of the arts and history. She was very much concerned about the environment and wanted us all to be good stewards for future generations.
In both public and private Grace steadfastly practiced her beliefs and taught their importance to others. She would often say “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” She was totally selfless and never lamented about not having material objects. Another of her sayings and practices was the Bible teaching “give to all who ask”. This perhaps did not result in her becoming a financially wealthy person, but she was more than compensated with the wealth of love from all those she helped.
Grace was predeceased in death by her beloved husband, Vahe Haledjian and daughter, Carol Hayden of Harbor City, CA. She is survived by daughter, Irene Rapp of Ellabell, GA, son Dean (Linda) of Bristow, VA, daughter Bea Nichols Haledjian (Earl Nichols) of Columbus, GA and Michael (Marcia) of Leonia, NJ and son-in-law Richard Hayden of Harbor City, CA.; her 8 grandchildren Rick Hayden, Tony Marchetti, Greg Haledjian, Krista Wright, Brian Nichols, Sara Nichols, Zoe Haledjian and Kyle Haledjian; 5 great grandchildren Hannah and Zach Haledjian, Caleb, Cecelia and Miriam Nichols, her brother Vram Nedurian (Sylvia) of Newtown Square, PA and numerous nieces and nephews. Grace was also predeceased in death by her sisters Zabelle Zartarian and Araxie Choolgian.
Five years ago, at age 95 she was asked ‘what is your goal’. After some thought, she said to “live to be 100 years old”. Grace celebrated her 100th Birthday on March 10th of this year with a ZOOM party attended by numerous family members and friends.
Viewing will be held on Friday, October 29 at 9:00 AM
Frech McKnight Funeral Home
161 Washington Avenue, Dumont NJ (201) 384-0013.
Services will follow at 11:00 AM
Old North Reformed Church
120 Washington Avenue
Dumont, NJ
Following church, will proceed to
Hackensack Cemetery
323 Hackensack, Avenue
Hackensack, NJ
A Luncheon celebrating Grace’s life will be held starting at 12:30PM
Oceanos Restaurant
2-27 Saddle River Road
Fair Lawn, NJ
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace’s memory to Old North Reformed Church, Dumont, NJ Old North Reformed Church; the Jinishian Memorial Foundation for Armenia at https://pma.pcusa.org/donate/make-a-gift/gift-info/E051792 and Church Women United at Church Women United