Araxy Bablanian, a resident of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, at Shands Hospital from complications following heart surgery.
Araxy was born to Hovsep and Victoria Hovsepian on September 17, 1940 in Cairo, Egypt, during a World War Two air raid. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the American University in Cairo. Araxy subsequently lived in Montreal, Canada, and Ithaca, New York, where she worked for many years as a research grants specialist at Cornell University. Upon her retirement in 2001, Araxy moved to Gainesville, Florida, where she resided for the remainder of her life.
Proud of her Armenian heritage, Araxy was equally thankful to be an American citizen and live in the United States. She was particularly skilled at growing orchids, baking, and solving crossword puzzles. In recent years, she knitted hundreds of hats, blankets and toys, which she donated to children suffering from cancer. Araxy was a person of keen intelligence and integrity who cared deeply about others.
Araxy is survived by her husband of 12 years, Rostom Bablanian; her son, Sevan Terzian, daughter-in-law, Lee-Ann Laffey, granddaughter, Talar, and grandson, Christopher, all of Gainesville; her daughter, Tamar Terzian, son-in-law, Joseph Masih, grandson, Zaven, and granddaughter, Nairi, all of Alexandria, Virginia; her sister, Yeran Tchelikdjian, of Montreal; and the father of her children, Yervant Terzian, of Ithaca. Araxy especially loved spending time with her four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central (4100 NW 39th Avenue in Gainesville) on Thursday, June 29 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of Araxy’s favorite charities, the Armenian Tree Project (https://www.armeniatree.org/en/).
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home 352-378-2528 www.forestmeadowsfh.com.
