Obituary for FLORENCE KENYON | Simon Javizian Funeral Directors
- Date Of Birth: October 12, 1927
- Date Of Death: September 9, 2016
- State: Michigan
Florence Kenyon was born on October 12, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan. She lived a long and wonderful life and died on September 18, 2016. She was the daughter of proud Armenian immigrants who had survived the genocide – Serpouhi (Kalajian) and Paul Mikjian. She grew up during the depression and WWII. After high school, she used her beautiful voice to sing both popular music and opera while a secretary at Wayne State University, Department of Engineering. In 1950, she married Peter, an engineer, and devoted her life to raising her children, Adrea and Paul. She became involved in progressive community activities in the 60’s, was President of the Detroit Armenian Women’s Club one year, and later became Executive Director of The Women’s Economic Club of Detroit. She helped women organize and blaze new trails in the community and coordinated conferences for local and national business and political leaders. Florence had many passions, which included gourmet cooking and entertaining her friends, travel, singing, opera, Tigers baseball, walking every day, crossword puzzles, gardening, vacations in Glen Arbor on Lake Michigan, and watching Colin Firth movies! Her greatest joy in retirement was being the adoring grandmother to Katie, Matt, Jeffrey, and Jason and encouraging their interests as they grew up. Throughout her life, Florence she was a feisty, strong, positive and inspiring influence to all who knew her. Even with losing Peter 3 years ago and having failing health and mobility, she adjusted to each new challenge, never complained, always possessed an interest in helping others, chose happiness, and had a positive vigor and joy for living, which was contagious to all. ………………. FAMILY MEMBERS Beloved wife of 63 years to the late N. Peter Kenyon, whom she adored. Dearest mother of Adrea (Larry) Unitis, and Dr. Paul (Diane) Kenyon. Grandmother extraordinaire to Katie, Matt, Jeffrey, and Jason. Sister-in-law to Margaret Novak, aunt to Michael Novak (Sandy). Her parents were survivors of the Armenian genocide who came to America. ……………..