GLENDALE–Sister Alphonsa Petrossian–a noted educator and a member of the Order of Immaculate Conception–passed away at her home Sunday–following a long illness. She was 90.
Born in Adana in 1919–Sister Alphonsa received her primary education in Greece. In 1939 she moved to Beirut where she entered the Order of the Immaculate Conception. She was anointed a nun in 1946 in Rome following the completion of her studies.
In 1948 she began work in the field of education. After spending a year in Baghdad–Sister Alphonsa moved to Tehran where she embarked on education the young generation of Armenia’s–serving at the Armenian Sisters’ Academy for 30 years.
Before the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979–she moved to Massachusetts where she founded and led the Armenian Sisters’ Academy Dzidzernagapuyn school. In 1996 she moved to Los Angeles to assist in the revitalization of the Armenian Sisters’ Academy in Montrose.
Due to her illness–she had ceased her educational endeavors for almost a year.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Queen of Martyrs Armenian Catholic Church–1320 Pleasant Ave.–Los Angeles. Interment will follow at Hollywood Forest Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers–donations may be made to the Armenian Sisters’ Academy.