- Date Of Birth: December 8, 1929
- Date Of Death: August 9, 2016
- State: Michigan
Mary Ardem Simonian was born in Detroit on December 8, 1929 to Hovagim and Zabel (Sahakian) Kalajian. Mary was raised alongside her sister, Sona and brother, Harry. During Mary’s high school years she worked at SS Kresge’s five-and-dime to help out the family. After graduating from Detroit Central High School, Mary found employment as the secretary to the president of TB Rayls. Growing up, Mary also enjoyed attending Tiger games with her brother, and seeing Frank Sinatra in concert. Mary met Richard Simonian and in 1954 they married and were blessed with two sons, Tom and Bob. Their life as a family of four continued to flourish in Birmingham where they raised the boys and entertained family and friends. Mary and Richard lived full lives, traveling the world with the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Association, attending Camp Michigania annually, and skiing with the Armenian ski group SMASH. Mary and Richard also were avid Michigan Football fans, and rarely missed a game! In 1980 when Richard opened his own CPA firm, Mary worked as the office manager, keeping everything in order. She was also a proud and active member of St. John Armenian Church, ACYOA and the Women’s Guild, taught Sunday School, and ran the registration desk for the Alex and Marie Manoogian School annual golf outing for 35 years.
