Obituary for MARY HARTUNIAN | Simon Javizian Funeral Directors
- Date Of Birth: May 7, 1930
- Date Of Death: April 19, 2016
- State: Michigan
Mary Hartunian, born Seranoush Manoogian and known to many as Mrs. Mary or Mother Mary, was born on May 7th, 1930 at Flower Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. She was the daughter of Hagop Manoogian and Sophia Terzian, a farmer and homemaker, and the youngest sibling to Rose, Harry, Richard, and Carl. Mary was no stranger to hard work. Growing up on a farm, she worked hard her whole life and only stopped when she was no longer able. She met her husband Thomas (Vartan) Hartunian at the age of 17 and married two years later in 1949. They started their family in Detroit, Michigan and were blessed with their oldest son Thomas in 1950, followed by their youngest son Robert in 1951. Mary worked for many years in retail at Federals Department Store, then as a bar maid at her brother Dick’s and sister in law Louise’s bar, Dick and Lou’s. She shared her love of life with the patrons at Frank’s Show Bar, the Trail Bar, and finally hung up her apron after many years of managing the Trolley Stop Lounge. Mary showcased her impeccable social skills and became a people greeter at Taylor Wal-Mart, quickly becoming a favorite associate among personnel and patrons. She was known to treat strangers as friends and friends like family. As a Matriarch, she doted on and adored her children. Mary loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren with all her heart and wouldn’t think twice about getting on the floor to roll around and play with them just to make them smile. She was generous beyond measure and spared no expense in her role as the devoted grandmother we all respected and loved. Mary’s larger than life personality was filled with spunk and tenacity. She would teach her non-Armenian friends colorful language in Armenian. As a Detroit sports fanatic she would often yell that same colorful language at the TV when her team wasn’t doing so well. She loved to laugh and play the lotto. Her passion for life was palpable. You couldn’t take her anywhere without running into someone who knew and adored her. She took great pride in her appearance, keeping a weekly hair appointment and maintaining style and grace throughout all of her 85 years. FAMILY MEMBERS Her late husband Thomas Hartunian; Children: Thomas (Darlene) & Robert (Laurie Krivitz). Grandchildren: Gregory (Sherry), Robert (Wendy), Daniel, Steven, Lindsay (Dominic). Great Grand Children: Shayne, Isabelle, Robert, Xander, Sophia, Benjamin, Dominic, Liliana/ Siblings: The Late Rose (Bill), The Late Harry (Pearl), The Late Richard (Louise), Carl (Dorothy).