- Date Of Birth: July 22, 1924
- Date Of Death: January 24, 2021
- State: Florida
Mary Hovnanian of Pensacola, FL, beloved cousin, and friend, passed away on January 24, 2021. On July 22, 1924, Mary was born in Washington, DC, and was 96 years young when she joined her family in heaven. She was the daughter of Vartoohi Manoukian Hovnanian and Avedis Hovnanian, who escaped the Turkish genocide of the Armenians in 1915. She was predeceased by her parents and brother Col. Manual Hovnanian. Mary graduated from Central High School, George Washington University, and the Catholic University of America, where she majored in art and also studied at the Corcoran School of Art. During her studies at Catholic University, one of her professors submitted a piece of her art unbeknownst to Mary, which received an honor in a juried show. She described her art as “..modern but conservative.” Walt Disney animation studios in California offered Mary a job, but she declined it and took a job with the Naval Research Lab as an illustrator first in Washington, DC and later transferring to Pensacola, Fl. In addition to her work with the Navy, she became a collector of antiques and oriental rugs, the origin of which was a natural outcome of her upbringing as her Washington, DC, relatives all had shops of antiques and oriental rugs. In Pensacola, she explored this interest through antique fairs and auctions. She was an active member of the Pensacola Antique Dealers Association. Mary had a tremendous love of all animals, especially her many furbabies throughout her many years.
