Obituary for Ani Chalemian
Ani Angele Chalemian (nee Yervanian), age 78 of Franklin Lakes, passed away on Monday, November 7, 2022 after a long illness. She was born on June 20, 1944 in Beirut, Lebanon to Varsenig (nee Garabedian) and Vahe Yervanian and immigrated to the United States in 1952. Once arriving in the US, she grew up in Weehawken and Hackensack.
She graduated from Hackensack High School and went on to receive her Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She had been a resident of Franklin Lakes for the past 34 years.
She was a professional opera singer where she performed as a soloist for many years at various venues and concert halls across the United States, France and Germany. Her performances also included singing oratorio and concerts with major orchestras in Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City. After becoming a mother, she made the decision to take a major step back from her opera career in order to specifically raise her children. She then became the office administrator for her husband’s medical practice.
She was an avid tennis player for many years and was a past member of the Indian Trail Club. She was a member and director of many church choirs, with a great love for traditional Christian music. She was an advocate for the equality of women’s leadership roles in the Church and had been a member of West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood for many years.
In addition to formal training in voice, Ani was also graduate trained in piano. As a highly trained and gifted piano player, every family gathering featured her behind the piano. She was also very proud of her Armenian heritage and was an excellent cook of traditional Armenian food.
She leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Robert J. Chalemian, MD, her daughter Bliss Chalemian Thomas, MD (Bill), and her son Adam Chalemian (Kathy); her grandchildren Robby and Sarah Thomas and Mina and Mason Chalemian and a beloved sister, Peggy Gross.
She was predeceased by her parents, as well as a brother, Bernard Yervanian.
Family and friends may visit on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 4-7 PM at Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ. A memorial service will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 S. Monroe Street, Ridgewood, NJ on Tuesday, November 15 at 12:00 pm.
Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ani’s memory to West Side Presbyterian Church.
She graduated from Hackensack High School and went on to receive her Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She had been a resident of Franklin Lakes for the past 34 years.
She was a professional opera singer where she performed as a soloist for many years at various venues and concert halls across the United States, France and Germany. Her performances also included singing oratorio and concerts with major orchestras in Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City. After becoming a mother, she made the decision to take a major step back from her opera career in order to specifically raise her children. She then became the office administrator for her husband’s medical practice.
She was an avid tennis player for many years and was a past member of the Indian Trail Club. She was a member and director of many church choirs, with a great love for traditional Christian music. She was an advocate for the equality of women’s leadership roles in the Church and had been a member of West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood for many years.
In addition to formal training in voice, Ani was also graduate trained in piano. As a highly trained and gifted piano player, every family gathering featured her behind the piano. She was also very proud of her Armenian heritage and was an excellent cook of traditional Armenian food.
She leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Robert J. Chalemian, MD, her daughter Bliss Chalemian Thomas, MD (Bill), and her son Adam Chalemian (Kathy); her grandchildren Robby and Sarah Thomas and Mina and Mason Chalemian and a beloved sister, Peggy Gross.
She was predeceased by her parents, as well as a brother, Bernard Yervanian.
Family and friends may visit on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 4-7 PM at Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ. A memorial service will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 S. Monroe Street, Ridgewood, NJ on Tuesday, November 15 at 12:00 pm.
Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ani’s memory to West Side Presbyterian Church.