Philanthropist an active volunteer
2/19/2007Hermine A. Kazazian, a philanthropist and a homemaker, died Friday in her home in Ottawa Hills a week after having suffered a stroke. She was 98.
The family did not know the cause of death.
Mrs. Kazazian was the widow of Haig Kazazian, Sr., who owned and operated Zambakian's oriental rug store on Madison Avenue in downtown Toledo from 1951 until 1983, when the business closed.
Before owning the business, Mr. Kazazian was the manager there, beginning in 1929. He died in 1992.
Over the years, the Kazazians made donations to the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Museum of Art.
Mrs. Kazazian also donated and volunteered for the Armenian communities in Detroit and Toledo, helping organize social events.
"She was very gracious and highly energetic and really people-oriented," her son, Dr. Haig Kazazian, Jr., said.
A native of Istanbul, Mrs. Kazazian, whose maiden name was Papelian, immigrated to the United States with her parents in 1920.
She lived in Racine, Wis., until 1926, when the family moved to Detroit.
It was there she later met Haig Kazazian, Sr. They married in 1929. They later moved to Toledo's Old West End, where they lived until moving to Ottawa Hills in 1956.
She was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where she volunteered in many capacities.
Surviving are her sons, Dr. Haig Kazazian, Jr. and Edward Kazazian; brother, Edward Papelian; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Arrangements are by the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave.
The family suggests tributes to the Armenian General Benevolent Union, New York City.