Sima Kalaydjian

Sima Kalaydjian was born April 10, 1924 in Alexandria, Egypt, to Garabed and Vartouhi Shahbenderian. Her father, Garabed, was a survivor of the Armenian genocide who had fled to Egypt from Caesarea.

Sima attended Haigazian Varjaran with her older brother, Krikor. Upon graduation, she continued her studies to master her skills in music and art.

In 1943, Sima married Nazareth Kalaydjian in Alexandria. The couple was blessed with two children, Mary and Jack. While living in Egypt, the family enjoyed traveling to Europe every summer.

In Egypt, Sima and Nazareth were active members of the Armenian community, most notably with the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). Through the Church, Sima volunteered with Aghkadakhnam, a charitable organization that raised money and collected food and clothing for those in need. Sima and Nazareth, who regularly organized and hosted Church and AGBU fundraising events, were famous for their creative parties.

Sima was a very progressive woman living in Egypt in the 1950s. As one example, she drove herself in her own car, something that was virtually unheard of at that time in Egypt.

Due to his foresight of the upcoming political turmoil in Egypt, Nazareth moved his family to Lebanon in 1962 and then to the United States a year later through the Armenian National Committee for Homeless Armenians (ANCHA). After a brief stay in New York, the family settled in Hollywood, California, where Sima lived for the rest of her life.

Without the help and support of family or friends, Sima had no choice but to adapt quickly to a different way of life in Los Angeles. However, Sima was a resilient woman who sacrificed much for her family and quickly helped them all settle into their new life in California.

Sima wasted no time getting involved in the Armenian community by volunteering for different organizations, most actively with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church for over 35 years. She enjoyed assisting with the annual Debutante Ball, particularly in the years in which her grandchildren participated. As an accomplished cook, Sima also relished preparing the food for Vatche Srpazan's annual Christmas dinner. Every year Sima and her dear friend, Gloria Meghrikian, were in charge of the chi kefté, which was always a hit!

Both deeply devout in their faith and committed to the Armenian Church and culture, Sima and Nazareth were fervent supporters of the Armenian Church and numerous Armenian organizations throughout Los Angeles. As more Armenians arrived in Los Angeles, Sima and Nazareth welcomed them and generously assisted recent immigrants to facilitate their transition to the United States. In addition to their involvement with the Church's regular activities, they were founders and godparents of St. John Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood and godparents of St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Los Angeles, and Sima was a godfather of St. Leon Cathedral of the Western Diocese in Burbank.

Sima and Nazareth also continued their support of the AGBU, traveling to conferences and the AGBU games throughout the world. They were also supporters of the AGBU New York Summer Internship Program, a program two of Sima's granddaughters attended.

In addition to her involvement in the Armenian community, Sima volunteered with the Assistance League of Los Angeles.

As much as she valued her work with the Church and other volunteer efforts, her deepest love was reserved for her family. As matriarch of the family, Sima watched her family grow with the marriage of her daughter, Mary, to John Boyajian, and the marriage of her son, Jack, to Maro Aghadjian. Sima was a devoted grandmother to Mary's two children, Laura (Apraham) and Arto (Taline), and Jack's two daughters, Lorig (Eric) and Lara (Levon), and later to her seven great-grandchildren, Nareg, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Hovan, Sareen, Ani and Alexa. She was lovingly referred to as Mema Sima and Mema Sa.

Sima passed along her love of cooking and cards to her children and grandchildren. She was happiest when surrounded by her family at the dining room table, enjoying a delicious meal that she had prepared. These meals often included homemade manté, sou boreg, baklava and khadaif – everyone's favorites! She also taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be card sharks, just like she was. A master of all card games, Sima played bridge twice a week and also enjoyed playing Canasta and other card games with her family and friends. She was also a skilled seamstress.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Sima is survived by her brother's two children, Rosig Balayan and Garo Shahbenderian, and their families.

Sima passed away on August 15, 2016. She was blessed with a full life and a loving marriage that spanned over five decades. Sima was a woman who carried herself with honor and grace and exemplified a selfless nature through her devotion to her family, the Church and community. Her memory and spirit will continue to live on through her loving family.