MARGARET ARAKELIAN
October 6,, 1922 – February 19,, 2025
Born in Boyle Heights, CA., Margaret (“Margie”) Arakelian was the second child of Serop and Yermo Meketarian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Margie attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and Bishop Conaty Catholic High School.
Margie contributed to the war effort as a plant worker at U.S. Royal Rubber Co., which fabricated rubber gasoline tanks for P-38 fighter aircraft. She then worked in the L.A. Garment District for a fashion line as a “floor lady” supervising garment workers and modeling in her spare time.
Margie’s first love was her family. She shared an unbreakable bond with her parents and siblings and ran her brother’s hot dog stand in East L.A. in the late 1940s. The stand was frequented by newly arrived Armenian immigrants and Margie helped many of them through the job application process.
In 1963, Margie married Jack Arakelian. They remained married for almost 40 years, traveling the world and being actively involved in the Armenian and American communities both socially and philanthropically.
Affectionately known as “Auntie Margie” to everyone, she showered her loved ones with attention and entertained endlessly, hosting family holidays, birthday celebrations, pool parties, beach picnics and vacations. She loved to go on long drives, visit people, sing, dance, laugh and reminisce especially about the century of memories she was blessed to have.
Margie welcomed her older sibling, Rose to live with her in 2000 where she remained until her passing at age 100. Rose’s caregiver, Ampara Mejia, returned to live with Margie where she devotedly attended to her needs for over 10 years. In Margie’s last year of life, the Carmelite Sisters of Santa Teresita graciously provided Margie with spiritual and supportive care in a warm and loving environment.
Margie was especially dedicated to her Armenian culture and Catholic faith. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Armenian Catholic Church. She served as the first president of the Ladies Guild there and continued to support this vital organization as a beloved lifelong member.
Margie was preceded in death by her siblings Rose Simonian, Christine Mangione (Frank), Mary Cazian (Paul) and Mike Meketarian (Dalita). She is survived by generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins from the extended Bozigian, Simonian, Mangione, Cazian, Meketarian, Kachoeff and Hamo families, as well as countless friends made in her 102 years of life.
Margie was interred in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery on March 19, 2025. A Celebration of Life and luncheon followed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Armenian Catholic Church, Los Angeles.
