Marianna Davidian

Born on September 12, 1926 Departed on August 11, 2018 and resided in Yonkers, NYVisitation: Ballard Durand - White PlainsFriday August 17, 2018 7:00pm to 9:00pmVisitation: St. Gregory Armenian ChurchSaturday August 18, 2018 9:30am to 10:30amFuneral Service: St. Gregory Armenian ChurchSaturday August 18, 2018 10:30am

Dr. Marianna Davidian died peacefully on August 11, 2018, surrounded by her family. She lived a long and eventful life, filled with personal and professional accomplishments. She was 91.
She was born Marianna Mouradian on September 12, 1926 in Astrakhan, Russia, the first child of Kevork Mouradian and Shoushan (nee Kazarian). Unfortunately her mother passed away when she was only a few years old. Due to changes in the Russian regime, she moved with her father, her new stepmother Rosa, her younger sisters Lucik and Zina, and her brother Karekin to Tabriz, Iran. The family was involved in the canning and wine businesses, and their fortunes ebbed and flowed with the boom and bust cycles prevalent in Iran between the World Wars.
Marianna excelled at school, and like in all endeavors in her life, she worked diligently. She was one of the first female medical school graduates at the University in Tabriz and indeed in the entire country. Her graduating class included three women and over 80 men. Even as a young woman, she was a trailblazer, a pioneer who demonstrated ongoing courage and determination.
In 1956, she moved to the United States for her medical residency in Jamaica, Queens. Dr. Davidian, as she was known professionally, subsequently became a highly regarded pathologist. She rose to the rank of Director of Anatomical Pathology at Westchester Medical Center, where she served until her retirement in the 1990s. Throughout her career, she was noted for her skill and knowledge, for her unwavering dedication, and for her integrity.
Marianna married David Davidian in 1960, and they were happily married until his passing in 1990. They settled in Yonkers, New York, where she lived for the rest of her life. They had two daughters, Lily and Mary, both of whom also became health care professionals-Lily as a physical therapist and Mary as an ophthalmologist.
She was fluent in Armenian, Russian, Persian and English. She was active in the Armenian community in her adopted homeland, serving at both the Holy Cross Church of Armenia and later at the St. James (now St. Gregory) parish in Westchester County.
Marianna is survived by her daughters Lily and Mary, by her son-in-laws Stephen Mekenian and Haig Sarkissian, and by four grandchildren, Gregory Mekenian, Ani Mekenian, Avo Sarkissian, and Andrew Sarkissian. She is also survived by her sisters Lucik Melikian of Sherman Oaks, California, and Zina Avanessian of Teheran, Iran, by her nephews George Melikian, Vahe Avanessian, and Varoujan Avanessian and their families, by her cousins Adrena Aiazian, Edik Moradians, Vigen Moradians, Tania Walker and their families, and by many other cousins, friends and former work colleagues. The family would like to thank Heidi, Carmen, and Tess for their assistance, patience and love in helping to care for Marianna during her final years with us.
The viewing is scheduled for Friday, August 17 at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home at 2 Maple Avenue in White Plains, New York from 7 pm to 9 pm, with a service at 8 pm. The funeral will be Saturday, August 18 at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church at 1131 North Street, also in White Plains. The service with start at 9:30 am with a viewing, followed by the funeral at 10:30 am, the internment at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York at 11:30, and then the memorial meal (hokejash) back at the St. Gregory Church. Fr. Karekin Kasparian, who knew Marianna for over 40 years, will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. Gregory Armenian School at 1131 North Street, White Plains, New York 10605, or to the Armenian EyeCare Project at www.eyecareproject.com.
In her later years, Marianna was also known as Medz Ma, which means grandma in Armenian, or simply as Medz, which literally translates as big or grand. This was a name that reflected her impressive status and radiant personality, despite her petite stature. She was one of a kind, and she will be missed.