Aroxy Zacarian

Longmeadow – Aroxy (Ovian) Zacarian, 95, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died on September 9, 2018. She was predeceased by her dear husband of 51 years, Dr. Setrag A. Zacarian in 1998; and siblings, Mary, Karnig and Lawrence Ovian. Aroxy distinguished herself early on as a young woman active in student government and recognized by The Daughters of American Revolution. Passionate about people and living, she devoted her adult life to volunteerism, the arts and the medical community, holding leadership and exemplary membership roles in Hampden District Medical Society (formerly Hampden District Women’s Auxiliary), Springfield Garden Club, George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, and founded the Longmeadow Women’s Investment Club. Aroxy was a source of inspiration and light to family, friends and acquaintances alike. She is survived by her children, Christine Russell and her husband Alan of North Andover, MA, Matthew Zacarian and his wife Debbie of Amherst, MA, Carolyn Zacarian and her husband David Poldoian of St. Louis, MO, and Elizabeth Nanfeldt and her husband Jeffrey of Wayland, MA; 9 grandchildren, Rick (Brianne), Steve (Michele), Robert (Courtney), Katie, Jackie, Zachary, Chris, Christina, and Margeaux; great-grandson, Crew; and a sister-in-law, Esther Ovian of Henderson, NV. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on this Thursday, September 13th from 4–7PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA. Aroxy’s funeral service will be held on this Friday, September 14th at 11AM in the First Church of Christ, Longmeadow, MA. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in Longmeadow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Aroxy’s memory may be made to the Dr. Setrag A. Zacarian Memorial Lectureship Endowment, c/o Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199 and/or Dr. Eric P. Winer’s Treatment Resistant Breast Cancer Research Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. For more information or to leave a condolence for the family please visit: www.forastiere.com