July 05, 1938 – July 01, 2020
Marilyn Pearl (Noorigian) Jeknavorian, 81, of Reading, MA passed away peacefully on July 1, 2020, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Marilyn was surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 5, 1938, in Boston, MA to the late Avedis and Pearl (formerly Samourian) Noorigian from Armenia and Boston respectively. Marilyn was a long-time resident of Reading MA and formerly of Medford, MA.
Marilyn graduated from Somerville High School and Middlesex Community College in Bedford with a degree in Business Management. Marilyn began her long and successful career as an executive assistant at Arthur D. Little in Cambridge and through her hard work and dedication, she rose to become the Clerk of the Corporation and sat on the Board of Directors for both Pioneer Financial in Malden and later, Stoneham Cooperative Bank in Stoneham from which she eventually retired. Marilyn enjoyed a number of close friendships established with her co-workers that lasted her lifetime.
Marilyn was devout in her faith and was a devoted member of Saint James Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown where she enjoyed listening to the choir and regularly participated in worship services. Marilyn was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Marilyn loved annual family vacations to Maine and exploring local antique shops. She also loved visiting New York City, eating at the local restaurants, and attending Broadway shows. Marilyn also enjoyed taking day trips to Rockport and visiting the local art galleries. Despite her many hobbies, Marilyn’s favorite past time was taking walks with and spending time with her beloved daughters and pet, Kaya.
She gave the world beauty, charm, and dignity. Marilyn had a mother’s caring heart toward all. Her keen ability to observe and “read” others was coupled with a keen sense of humor. Countless numbers of people benefited from her advice and company. Her two daughters especially witnessed, admired, and benefitted from Marilyn’s continual, sacrificial, devoted love. She was their wellspring of advice and her heart was their place of refuge.
Marilyn also cherished a special relationship with her sister. She enjoyed a particularly close relationship with her godchildren and nephew and niece respectively, David Bazarian of Brockton and Charlene Bazarian of Reading. Marilyn made lifelong friends everywhere she went. She enjoyed the benefits of having close friendships from high school throughout her career and into her retirement.
Marilyn is survived by her beloved daughters, Karen Jeknavorian and Brenda Jeknavorian, both of Reading, her sister Arleen Bazarian of Reading, her brother, Robert A. Noorigian of Woburn and by three generations of loving nieces and nephews and many cousins.
A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading from 4-7 PM. A private funeral service will be held at the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown.
