Lusine Lucy Martirosyan

Its always difficult when a mother leaves her sons. Its even more difficult when that mother still had so much more love to give and life to live.

You can't really write a simple eulogy for Lucy, because she was anything but simple. She had humility, resilience, and was an extraordinary woman, mom and wife. She was a friend to the young, a mentor to her friends, and a daughter to the elderly.

Lusine Lucy Martirosyan was born on June 27, 1971, a Sunday, in Yerevan, Armenia to Movses Parsamian and Satenik Hovakimyan. When she was eight, she immigrated to the United States with her mother. She had a happy childhood and as she matured into her teen years was very popular and extremely loved amongst friends. Growing up she enjoyed cooking with her Grandma, and going on fishing trips with her Grandpa, who loved spoiling her.

In 1990 at her uncle's wedding Lucy caught Armens attention for the first time, but unfortunately she didn't even notice him. She wouldn't give him the time of day. After learning that Lucy worked for her uncle's company Armen decided to go work for them so that he could have the opportunity to get to know Lucy better. Armen's persistence paid off in the end as they started dating and immediately became inseparable. They had their first date on New Year's day, 1991. As far back as I can remember to the first couple times she came to pick up Armen, whether it was for work, or to go on a date in her little red car, I used to look out the window and make funny faces at her. Fast forward a couple years to one of the biggest days of their lives. Their astounding wedding that till this day is talked about. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I woke up alongside with the adults and did my own take of adult activities at the young age of 6. Got out of bed just like all the adults moaning and groaning. Showered, shaved, and yes also managed to nick myself during the process. Got dressed up in my little tux, with my shiny black dress shoes. And was ready for my first wedding debut as their ring boy. From that very second on, she took on the duty of being my older sister. I even remember asking my mom why is she Calling you mom. You're not her mother. She truly Loved me, taking care of of me when I was sick, throwing surprise parties and managing to somehow invite my crush! And from time to time would discipline me. My would she love to discipline me. Pulling my ear, giving me a good ol' spanking and punishing me by making me read the the children's encyclopedia out loud! I now know and understand it was all out of love.

Only four months after they met, on the morning of April 19, 1991, at the tender age of 19, they eloped, unannounced to their families. After the ceremony they simply arrived home and announced that they were married, almost giving Armen's mother a heart attack. December 20th 1991 was the actual ceremony, the first wedding for the Martirosyan family in the U.S. with over 350 family and friends attending the wedding that Lucy meticulously planned herself, not leaving out a single detail. Lucy married into a large and growing family that embraced her as their own.

She was a dedicated wife and almost 3 years later became a mother for the first time. Anthony was born in July of 1994 and Arthur followed soon after in October of 1995. While others complained about the difficulty of raising kids, she blissfully raised two boys, in addition to managing two large apartment complexes while Armen travelled Monday through Thursday for work. And even then, she would make time to take her kids to the park every day, with their bikes and gear in tow.

With everything that she had on her plate, Lucy still continued pursuing a higher education, with the purpose of setting an example for her sons. She graduated summa cum laude in October of 2001, and received her Bachelors degree as her husband, sons, and family watched on. Over ten years later, she would proudly watch both her sons graduate high school at the top of their class.

She wore many hats as a mom when Arthur and Anthony were growing up. She was their chauffeur, chef, doctor, cheerleader at their soccer games, makeup artist during Halloween, volunteer at their annual school fairs, the audience to her children's crazy antics, and above all else their protector when she felt they weren't being treated right.

For the past five years Lucy pressed forward despite her illness and never let it define who she was, or how she lived her life. When Anthony was leaving to study abroad in London for a year, she made sure to get on the plane with him to see him off, despite the fact that her illness made it difficult for her to travel. She would help without being asked, and without expecting anything in return.

Eventually as Anthony and Arthur got older the roles changed slightly. Instead of her taking them to soccer games, they would take her to doctors appointments, to the supermarket, and to her friends' houses. Even then, what she did for her family could never be repaid.

She was the matriarch of the family. The magnet that brought the family together. A glass of wine and good company were enough reason for celebration for her.

She brought laughter and love to our lives, she was a wife, a mother, a sister, a teacher. She never waivered on her decisions, and had no regrets to any that she made in the past. She always had a positive outlook for the future.

She wasn't materialistic, but she enjoyed the things she had. She never determined someone's value based on their possessions, but by their character.

When she put her mind to it she would get it done, whether it was spending a week in Armenia to visit her father on a whim, or planning a family vacation in Hawaii with her mother and father in law and her two kids, just six months ago.

Her first instinct was to care for others. On one occasion while waiting for her car with Anthony, an old man fell crossing the street, while others looked on or looked away, Lucy went running towards the man, making sure he was okay and helping him up. That's the kind of person she was.

Lucy still had a lot more life to live. She had weddings to celebrate, graduations to attend, and future grandkids to spoil. She was the light of our family. Her flame burned twice as bright, but unfortunately lasted half as long. While she may not be with us here physically, she will live on in our memories and our hearts because a person isn't truly gone if they're not forgotten. She left a lasting legacy and a wonderful example to follow. We vow to tend to her unfinished business while she smiles at us from above.