WATERTOWN, MA–The Armenian Relief Society, Inc. announced on Friday that longtime community benefactor Diana Hadjetian of Montreal, Canada has increased her donation to the ARS Centennial Fund to the sum of $25,000.
The donation was made in memory of her late husband Dicran Hadjetian, who passed away unexpectedly in March 2008, much to the grief and sorrow of his family, friends and community.
Dicran Hadjetian, who was born in Alexandria, Egypt and immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1963, was a founding partner of Unitool, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of quality tools serving the industrial , automotive and hardware markets.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Stepanian-Hadjetian met her husband in 1964 while visiting Montreal. They were married in 1965 and raised two daughters, Nathalie and Aline, who today are executives in the company established by their late father.
Both daughters followed the family tradition and have strong Armenian families devoted to supporting the philanthropic efforts of the community. In addition to her two daughters, Diana Hadjetian has been blessed with three grandchildren.
Along with his success as a businessman, Dicran Hadjetian is remembered for his commitment to the community. He served for many years as a Trustee of St. Hagop Church in Montreal and as a Representative to the National Representative Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America. Diana Hadjetian’s devotion to the Armenian Relief Society dates back to 1965 when she joined the Montreal “Sosse” Chapter. She has held a number of executive positions as well as served on the Regional Executive of the ARS of Canada.
The Hadjetians have been supporters and benefactors of a number of Armenian institutions and organizations throughout the world including the Prelacy of the Armenian Church in New York; the Armenian Embassy in Ottawa; the Seminary in Bikfaya, Lebanon; St. Hagop School in Montreal and the ARF Aram Manoogian Center in Yerevan, Armenia.
Starting in 1996, the Hadjetians assumed the financial sponsorship of the renovation and maintenance of the Noravank Bourtelashen St. Astvatzatzin Church in Armenia and in 2002, they sponsored the building of the adjoining monastery. A museum has been established in the main hall of the monastery and it will be inaugurated later on this year. Today this church holds a special place in Diana Hadjetian’s heart; not only because she is grateful for the opportunity to renovate this historical site but more importantly, it is the place where Dicran Hadjetian had chosen as his final resting place.
In recognition of their many years of service to the Armenian Church and nation, Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin I of Etchmiadzin, awarded the Hadjetians the “St. Gregory the Illuminator” medal and His Holiness Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia, granted them the “Prince of Cilicia” order.
Maro Froundjian, ARS Central Executive Vice-Chairperson, who is a personal friend of Diana Hadjetian commented that “It is through the generous support of individuals such as the Hadejtians that the ARS is able to continue our charitable and humanitarian work in Armenia, Artskah and Javakh. It is fitting that this donation made in memory of her late husband will be used to assist the people and community that he loved so much.”
What a wonderful deed. I hope that Mr. Hadjetian’s soul will be rest in peace that even after his death ,his memory and good work will continue benefiting the Armenian Church and other Armenian Institutions.