Category Archives: Obituaries
Armenian Assembly of America Mourns the Passing of Former Board Member Savey Tufenkian
Assembly Announces Endowed Internship in Her Memory
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) mourns the loss of longtime Assembly Trustee and Board of Directors member, Mrs. Savey Tufenkian.
A leading benefactor of the Assembly’s Summer Internship Program in Washington, DC, she and her husband Ralph contributed immensely to the program by establishing the Richard Tufenkian Memorial Fund, in loving memory of their son Richard, who was an Assembly Summer Internship Program alumnus. The Tufenkians regularly and thoughtfully supported the Armenian American community through a range of initiatives, including educational, cultural, and humanitarian endeavors.
Savey Tufenkian served with grace and distinction as a member of the Assembly’s Board of Directors during the 1990s. Along with then Assembly Board Members Flora Dunaians and Elizabeth Agbabian, Tufenkian was a dynamic force and spearheaded many Assembly initiatives, including the Assembly’s successful Galas in California. Savey and Ralph’s generosity and support throughout the diaspora and in Armenia and Artsakh was extensive and all-encompassing.
The Assembly recognized Ralph and Savey Tufenkian at the Assembly’s Gala in Newport Beach, CA in 2017 for their passion and dedication, especially with regard to the Assembly’s Internship Program.
“On behalf of the Armenian Assembly of America, we express our deepest condolences to her loving husband Ralph and members of her family, including their son and daughter-in-law Greg and Caroline Tufenkian and their children, as well as their daughter and son-in-law Sandra and Paul Kalemkiarian and their children and grandchildren. Savey’s commitment and philanthropic work for the betterment of the Armenian people was exemplary and will be sorely missed,” stated Assembly Board Co-Chairs, Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian.
“In her memory and honor, the Assembly is pleased to announce a new endowed internship, the Savey and Ralph Tufenkian Internship,” the Co-Chairs added. “This initiative will provide opportunities for Armenian American students for years to come, as Savey’s legacy continues throughout our community.”
In Memoriam: Connie Alchian
BOCA RATON, FL – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Connie Alchian (11/27/1925 – 7/12/2021), whose warm presence and friendly smile has been an integral part of our South Florida Armenian American community and St. David Armenian Church family for the last four decades. We will miss her greatly and we offer our sincere condolences to her entire family.
Unfortunately, Funeral Service has been CANCELLED due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Palm Beach County, FL.
The family of Connie Alchian announced the passing of 96 year old Connie Alchian on August 18. Connie is survived by her loving sister Rose Killian, her niece Lynn Abbate and husband William Abbate of Delray Beach Florida – and their family Ryan and Kariann, and Bill of New Jersey and New York respectively, and their 4 grandchildren; and her nephew Barry Tarzy and his wife Alice and their family – Tami and Joel Aronow, Scott and Pauline Tarzy, Jim and Barbara Tarzy, and Michael and Stacy Tarzy– and their 11 grandchildren all of New Jersey. Connie’s two brothers, John and Sargent both pre-deceased her.
Born in New Jersey in 1925, Connie attended both grammar school and high school there. Her father died when she was very young, and shortly afterwards she and her mother went to California on vacation to be with relatives. They decided to stay in California and it was there that Connie met Bob Alchian, and in time they were wed. Years later, Connie and Bob retired in Florida living close to her sister Rose and husband Leo. Connie and her sister Rose were inseparable, traveling together often, and especially in serving St. David’s Armenian Church as active members of the Church Women’s Guild. Her memory will live forever in our Church and wider South Florida Armenian family. May she rest in peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Upon the request of the family, donations may be made to:
St. David Armenian Church
2300 Yamato Rd.
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Florida Armenians 