IN memoriam...

Janet Karleen Hall

Dr. Murray L. Eiland, Jr.

Ruth and David Stronach

ARAXI BEZJIAN

     During the past few years, the Armenian Rugs Society and our community have sadly suffered the loss of several of its beloved members--individuals who, in one way or another, played an active role in the Society.

    Some parts of the community may not be aware of these sad milestones, thus we hope to, herein, share some background on these fine and dedicated individuals.

    One of the pillars of the Armenian Rugs Society, a person who was involved with the Society almost from the beginning, was Dr. Murray L. Eiland, Jr., who passed away recently at the age of seventy-nine. Although he worked professionally as a psychiatrist, Murray had a great love for rugs and textiles.  He admired their beauty and their history, but, as a scientist, he also analyzed their structure and materials, educating himself and his audience as he learned. Throughout his life, he traveled to rug-making areas all over the world, wrote several books on oriental carpets, and became known as the most knowledgeable rug expert in the United States.

    In 1969, Murray and his brother Emmett opened a rug store in Berkeley, California. It was there that Lemyel Amirian, one of the founders of the Armenian Rugs Society, introduced Murray to Armenian carpets and textiles, leading him to become a life-long champion of the work of Armenian weavers. He joined the Armenian Rugs Society and became involved in the first major exhibition held by the organization, Weavers, Merchants and Kings, at the Kimbell Art Museum in Dallas, Texas, in 1984. Working alongside others from the organization and the museum, he selected the rugs to be displayed, edited the catalogue, contributed an important article to the catalogue, and lectured at the opening of the event--all tasks he repeated for the PASSAGES exhibition held in San Francisco in 2002. Until he became ill, he was always willing to participate in the Armenian Rugs Society in any way he could. We were honored to have Murray at our side; without him, the Armenian Rugs Society might not yet have earned the respect for Armenian rugs and textiles that we have seen in the years since the organization was founded.

    Another loss to the organization was the passing of Donna Mae Sommer, MD, wife of John Sommer, MD, at eighty-nine. Donna Mae was a respected pediatrician, having studied (and later taught and practiced) at the University of Chicago, where she met her husband-to-be. In 1955, she was part of a team of surgeons who successfully separated conjoined twins using a new procedure to divide their common liver. In 1966, she and the family moved to Fremont, California, where she and John both joined the Permanente Medical Group.

    Early in the twentieth century, John’s mother had been a missionary and medical worker in eastern Anatolia, where she came into contact with Armenian textiles and carpets; her interest in these art works was passed on to her son. He and Donna Mae traveled the world, studying and collecting carpets and other textiles as well as objects related to their production. John became very involved in the San Francisco Bay Area Rug Society (SFBARS), serving for several years as president of that organization, and later also joined the Armenian Rugs Society, where he was an advisor at the time of the PASSAGES exhibition and during the following years. Until she became ill, Donna Mae was always at his side. We miss her calm presence.
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    We also lost Janet Karleen Hall, who joined the ARS at the time of the PASSAGES exhibition. She became a vital part of the Armenian Rugs Society board, helping with secretarial duties and also with the newsletter, as well as performing any task that was asked of her. She was an active member of the Tibetan Buddhist community in the bay area, even attending the Dalai Lama’s yearly retreats in France. Karleen was a good friend and a gentle, quiet person; her help was invaluable to the ARS. We shall miss her. 

   It is also with great regret that we mark the passing of Ruth Stronach, during September of 2017, in Berkeley, California. Ruth married David Stronach, a good friend and supporter of the Armenian Rugs Society, in 1966, and a world renowned Archaeologist on Iranian, Urartian/Armenian, and Middle Eastern Archaeology. Herself an archaeologist, Ruth accompanied David into the field at Nush-i Jan and Shahr-i Qumis, and studied the pottery from both these sites. 

   The Armenian Rugs Society also suffered a great loss with the passing of Araxi Bezdjian in 2016. Araxi was mar­ried to Joseph Bezdjian (long-time ARS president) for 40 years. She was always at Joe’s side, offering her ideas for ARS projects, pro­viding us with treats from her kitchen, and adding her zest for living to all our activities.
 
   Born in 1945, Araxi was the first-born child of the Kabbendjian family of Nazareth, Israel. She eventually matriculated to become a school teach­er, and in 1976, married Joe. The following year, Ara, Joe’s son from a previous marriage, came to live with them in San Mateo, California.
 
   In 1980, Araxi joined Joe in his oriental rug company and within five years, the business grew from two to ten employees and continued to prosper until Joe and Araxi sold it, thirty-one years later. They were that rare couple who were together at work, at home, and traveling, yet almost never spoke a cross word. They adored each other and shared a loving and happy life.
 
  Araxi was a special person. She was an excellent cook, a good housewife, and a sup­portive, loving partner to Joe. She made friends easily, and her friends loved and respected her and appreciated her kindness and loyalty. To her grandchildren, Alex and Nick, she was a play­mate and the source of favorite foods she would cook espe­cially for them. She was equally generous to her many nieces, nephews, and godchildren, all of whom loved her dearly.
 
   Her kind­ness and her generosity were legendary. 

   The Armenian Rugs Society extends its deepest condolences to the friends and families of all these fine individuals who gave of themselves for the benefit and enlightenment of their communities and fellow men and women.

​    Their good graces shall always be remembered. 


 * * *

In Lieu of Flowers Donations made to the 
Armenian Rugs Society In Memory Of Araxi Bezdjian 

Adham & Naluda 40.00 
Anonymous 60.00 
Atashkarian, George & Mary 300.00 
Astourian, Stephan 100.00 
Bezdjian, Arthur 100.00 
Bezdjian, Joe 1000. 
Bloom, Howard 250.00 
Cali, J. Randall & Mirta Arsenian - Cali 100.00 
Chavdarian, Peniamin & Alice 100.00 
Derbedrossian, Levon 500.00 
Gamitian, Takvor & Mari 100.00 
Garabedian, Hasmig 50.00 
Garabedian, Viken & Ani 100.00 
Horoupian, Garry A & Edita 75.00 
Kabbendjian, Dikran V & Hermine N 250.00 
Kabbenjian, Hovaness S 1000.00 
Kablanian, Rita 300.00 
Keledjian, Varujan A & Karine 200.00 
Kestekyan, Sarkis & Hera 30.00 
Manoogian, John Richard 100.00 
Mardirosian, Varujan Z & Tatiana 100.00 
Mckain, Mary 100.00 
Mekhdjian, Haig & Armine 50.00 
Mener, Vahe & Hilda 50.00
Mirigian, Garo & Aida 100.00 
Parker, Lorraine A. 25.00 
Poochigian, John 250.00 
Avakoff, Christine 
Sarkisian, Sarkis & Anahid 100.00 
Shaheen, Issa 50.00 
Shahenian, Albert 250.00 
Simaan, Soraya 100.00 
Takvorian, Rita 100.00 
Telfeyan, Artur, Kevork & Aznif150.00 
Yagjian, Arto & Nadya 50.00 
Yeremian, Anahid Dian 200.00 
Mashoian, Adriene 50.00 
Mashoian, Rosalind 50.00 
Nalbandians, Raffi 100.00 
Nalbandians, Yeprem 100.00 
Tateosian, David Charles 100.00 
Yavuz, Aylin 30.00