Suzuki Teachers are greatly saddened by the passing of long-time Suzuki Piano Teacher Trainer Armena Marderosian on Sunday, November 4.
From Ron Marderosian:
Dear friends, comrades, and those who loved Armena,
I am sorry to tell you that my beautiful wife of 41 years, Armena Marderosian, died yesterday in the late afternoon. Her last day was peaceful and pain free; she listened to Brahms’ Hayden variations played by her favorite pianist, Murray Perahia.
Sometime in the near future we will have a memorial for her in Ann Arbor and another near Philadelphia.
As you can imagine, I, Sevan, and Anoush are devastated, but we have the most beautiful memories of our years together. Armena was an extraordinary person, a sovereign woman, as one of my best friends said, who walked her own path, had no enemies in this world, and was loved by hundreds of people around the world. She was a masterful teacher, the organizer of the Suni Project, whose work will go on.
Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, the food that people brought, the letters, cards, and emails that you wrote.
We think that in lieu of flowers, Armena would have most liked people to contribute to the Suni Project, which will continue with her family carrying it on.
Yours in sadness and in memory of a beautiful life,
Ron
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©2024 Suzuki Association of the Americas
Comments
12 posts
I don’t even know how to express my sadness. I remember a wonderful, warm and encouraging conversation I had with Armena when I attended my first SAA leadership conference. I was feeling a little out of place and her warmth, welcoming words and generosity set me at ease. I will never forget that. My heart goes out to family and friends. She will be missed.
Alicia
4 posts
Oh, Armena. I am missing you and your love of life, music, teaching, Twinkle techniques, and everything Suzuki. I’ve been trying to remember when and where we met and it must be over 35 years ago. We were married the same year and had our babies around the same time. We’ve visited each other’s homes and shared so many memories from workshops, institutes and conferences. If years went by between seeing each other, we just picked up where we left off. I am missing you and know I always will.
West Jordan, UT
43 posts
Armena—we love you so much—I can’t remember when I did not know you and remember your sweet spirit and glorious enthusiasm and dedication to your students. We cannot say more or less—just that I will be so happy to see you again.
Cleo
Institute Director
Ann Arbor, MI
463 posts
We will really miss Armena, so kind and understanding, always looking for the positive way, and really persistent! We have been blessed to work with her at the Ann Arbor Suzuki Institute for many many years. Whn I was a new teacher, newly moved to Ann Arbor, Armena was the first of many to tell me about how wonderful the SAA was, and how the Journal was helpful and inspiring, that we all want to work together, share recitals together, share ideas, and encourage each other. What a wonderful experience to have known Armena, I am so grateful!
Quinlan, TX
51 posts
Having the gentle, sweet spirit of Armena leave us is indeed a very sad event. She was strong and passionate about her convictions but never antagonistic to anyone who did not share them. How can we be strong and gentle simultaneously? How did she do that!? I really want to know. Her belief in the Suzuki philosophy and the way she remained true to it her entire life is admirable. Her love and enthusiasm of learning new things was so inspiring. I think it is very true that Armena had no enemy in this world. Very few people can say this. None of us are immortal but it is still very sad when a beloved friend leaves us—especially when it happens too soon. Armena was a true friend. I am grateful for the time we spent together in letters, on the phone, or at workshops. It may not have been very often, but it was over many, many years and I feel the loss. Ron, Sevan, and Anoush are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy Hargrave
44 posts
Dear Armena,
Missing you very much and wishing I had gone visiting you!!
We met in 1985 at grad school studying from the same piano professor, Joseph Gurt. And that was the same year you enthusiastically shared with me your Suzuki journey, experiences and stories, and about the Suzuki movement, philosophy, potentials and all the exciting happenings. I can still see your face glow while talking about it!
I still keep the copy of your article you gave me “Good moms don’t yell!!”. It is hard for me. Every time I get frustrated with my own kids, I think of your article and it helps me cool down more easily! I still can’t understand why good moms don’t yell, because I do need to yell to save my kids from danger from time to time, but your reminder is precious to me and it continues to be a long term lesson for me to learn!
You will be missed!
1 posts
Armena was such a wise, loving and inspiring mentor from the earliest years of the Suzuki Piano School in the US. She encouraged so many of us to learn more about Suzuki’s teachings, to never stop learning, and to teach with love. A bright star has been lost from our musical firmament.
Sally Sloane BM, MM, DMA
Minister of Music
Riverside Presbyterian Church
116 Barrypoint Road
Riverside Il 60546
Prescott, AZ
22 posts
Thank you, Armena, for your mentorship when I was a new Suzuki Piano teacher. The gentle demeanor and consistently positive approach I observed in lesson after lesson still serve as a constant model of how to approach my students, family, and peers. I am confident that your influence on your students and peers will be felt for generations to follow.
Dear Armena, I was devastated to hear of your untimely departure from this earth. Although I only met you in Boston 2009, you had engraved a place in my heart. You carried with you the true Suzuki spirit in all you did and said, and you so generously shared your wide and varied knowledge. I will miss you as will all who know and love you.My love and deepest condolences to Ron, Sevan, and Anoush.
12 posts
I am just seeing this news. Armena was such a wonderful presence in Matsumoto (1975). I will always remember you playing beautiful Armenian piano music at the kenkyusei recitals, which Dr. Suzuki seemed to enjoy so much. As the years went on, it was a delight to see you at different times and read your articles. The Suzuki family will miss your thoughtfulness and the love you always sent out.
27 posts
I SO fondly remember my time with Armena at a leadership retreat in Estes Park years ago! She noticed my name was Armenian and asked if I had ever been to Armenia. I hadn’t, but it sparked the interest in me to one day go to the land of my ancestors. She was a warm and unique person and I am deeply saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers will be with her family.
I have just heard about Armena and I am shocked and greatly saddened.
We had known each other since the early days of Suzuki and, although we didn’t see each other often, there was a close bond of friendship. Whenever we did see each other or speak on the phone, we just picked up where we had left off, no matter how many years had intervened.
I loved Armena’s spirit and enthusiasm and love of life. It is hard to believe she is no longer in this world but I’m sure her essence is flying around in the universe with great joy. Deepest condolences to Ron and the children.
Ada, MI
1 posts
I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Armena. She will always be a part of the Blue Lake Suzuki Camp family. She always radiated the most positive aspects of Suzuki philosophy, and her performances of Armenian music on our faculty recitals was uniquely beautiful. My thoughts & prayers are with her husband, Sevan & Anoush.
Novato, CA
10 posts
When I was a kenkyusei in Matsumoto from ‘74-’76 I met many wonderful
people; among them was Armena in 1976.
She was very generous and effective in showing us how to relax while practicing or performing on our instruments.
Armena has touched so many lives in a positive way. We will miss you.
My deepest sympathy to Ron, Sevan and Anoush.
Katherine White
I’m so saddened to hear this news. Armena was always such a delight to visit with many, many times. She was indeed a positive, and great contributor to the Talent Education movement worldwide. And her performances of Armenian music were always nourishing and beautiful. My sympathy in grief and prayers are with all of you family members.
Ann Arbor, MI
22 posts
Those who would like to celebrate the life of our friend and colleague Armena may do so on Sunday, Dec. 9, 1-4 pm at the Vandenburg Room of the Michigan League at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. She, her family and we all had very little time to get our minds around her illness, and then she was gone. I feel sad and shocked. Armena was surrounded by the love and admiration of many students and colleagues. My sympathy for and from us all goes to her family, Ron, Sevan, Anoush.