LOS ANGELES–Hazel Faye Agajanian died Friday, December 7, in her home in Beverly Hills from stomach cancer at the age 93.
She was born Hazel Faye Stepanian on February 10, 1914, in Los Angeles to Haig and Fannie Stepanian. A graduate of Roosevelt High School, Hazel went to the University of Southern California and graduated with honors from Cal State LA. She was an active member of the Armenian International Women’s Association and the Beverly Hills Women’s Club and Secretary of the Bible Study group at the United Armenian Church in Hollywood.
Hazel Faye Stepanian was 18 when she married 19 year old Joshua James Agajanian at The Congregational Church in Los Angeles on August 13, 1932 with 500 to 600 people in attendance. Joshua James would later be known as J.C. Agajanian, the legendary race car impresario.
They met for the first time at church when Tim Agajanian introduced Hazel Faye to Joshua James as “his girlfriend.” Joshua immediately slid under the table and sat beside her. She knew he was from an important San Pedro family. She didn’t see or hear from JC for a year. During this time JC was told by his father, James T. Agajanian and mother Hamas Kardashian Agajanian that it was time he got married to a good Armenian girl. JC told his father that he knew just the girl.
At her traditional old-country wedding the bride stayed indoors and would not come out until the groom’s family paid handsomely for her. Then the groom’s family took the bride safe and sound to the church for her wedding. The groom’s family was responsible for preparing and serving all of the food along with large bottles of Seagram’s Seven and various soda pops. They were also responsible for buying the wedding dress ($25.00).
The newly-weds spent their honeymoon driving up north through Yosemite and San Francisco with J.C.’s best friend Bob Kardashian and his wife following behind in their car. After the honeymoon JC and Faye lived with her in-laws at 1021 Weymouth Ave in San Pedro.
On September 13, 2007 Hazel Faye was asked the question, “When did you know that you were in love with JC”? She replied, “From the moment I met him”!
JC Agajanian the legendary racing car owner, event promoter, owner/operator of Ascot Park Raceway (known then as the busiest racetrack in the US) and Municipal Service Co (contracted to remove the residential rubbish in Gardena, CA for nearly 50 years) was responsible for launching the careers of such notables as Evel Knievel and Parnelli Jones. JC had entered a race car in the Indianapolis 500 from 1948 until 1984 the year he died. He was a two-time Indy 500 winner.
Hazel Faye is survived by her sister, Lorraine (Dolly) Agajanian, the youngest of four sisters and one brother. She leaves behind her four children, Cary JC Agajanian, J.C. Agajanian Jr., Christopher James Agajanian and Joan Agajanian Quinn, her eleven Grandchildren and her two Great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 3:00PM in a private family ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation towards your local blood drive or consider the benefits of a blood donation yourself.
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