The Power of Community

Lisa Jerejian, Tony Healey

Born in Aleppo, Syria, Zarouhi Kortoshian Vartanian (1925-2022) was admired for her warmth and kindness by family, friends and the wider Armenian community where she grew up. Nevertheless, it was plain to see that her most lauded quality was her brilliance as an educator, especially of young children. In fact, many believed she was born to teach.

Once she found her vocation, she dedicated 18 years of her career to the Setrak Mesrobian School in her hometown. Her sincerity, gentle demeanor and commitment to pastoral care made her extremely popular with students, parents and fellow educators.

Perhaps her genuine simpatico with children stemmed from her own childhood experiences that taught her early in life that the power of love could transform lives. 

Vartanian was raised as an only child after the painful and sudden loss of her two older brothers. The untimely passing of her father, Tavit, was yet another tragedy to beset her close-knit family. However, thanks to the unconditional support of relatives and friends, and her mother’s resilience, she flourished. Indeed, despite the setbacks she encountered, Vartanian grew up a happy child, full of empathy and compassion toward others. She excelled in her studies and graduated with exceptional grades from the Immaculate Conception Catholic School in 1944. 

Besides realizing her dream of teaching schoolchildren, Vartanian embraced adulthood, actively engaging in events organized by the Armenian community that helped nurture her through the tough times. 

She was outgoing and friendly, yet there was something missing—a companion with whom to share her life. By now, she was 37 years old and eager to find that “special person.” Confident that they would find the right suitor for their sweet Zarouhi, her mother and relatives put their matchmaking skills to the test. 

In 1963, her cousin Assadour Halajian traveled to America on business. While he was in California, he met 64-year-old Carl Vartanian, a World War II US army veteran and talented cobbler who owned a successful shoe store in Dinuba, CA. Halajian spoke so fondly of his single cousin Zarouhi that Carl wanted to meet her in person. In spite of a 27-year age difference, he decided to make the long trip from California to Syria, driven by a gut instinct that their bond would be strong; he was not disappointed. The couple wed in Aleppo in July 1963.

Shortly after, the newlyweds moved to Dinuba to start the next chapter of their lives. Initially, the culture shock was disconcerting for the new Mrs. Vartanian, whose upbringing in the Middle East was a world away from the unfamiliar surroundings in which she now found herself. Yet, she gradually settled into her new environment and, before long, became a fully fledged homemaker. Vartanian was fortunate to meet the Surabian family, who took her under their wing and helped her adjust to life in America. The matriarch of the Surabian family, Maritza, encouraged her love for cooking Armenian food and taught her new recipes.

To further integrate, Vartanian became a member of Reedley’s Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Church and joined the choir. She also held the position of chairwoman of the Ladies’ Society. Just as her friends and peers in Aleppo adored her, she earned the admiration and respect of those in the community of which she was now a part. 

However, her joy was cut short. In 1972, after less than a decade of marriage, her beloved husband, Carl, passed. Bereft, Vartanian found comfort in her Christian faith, becoming more involved in numerous projects and church-led initiatives to help her navigate the pain and channel the grief into good. Her contributions even extended to sewing five exquisite sets of vestments for Father Vartan Kasparian, ordained parish priest for St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, California. 

She served at the diocesan level of the Armenian Ladies’ Society Central Council and taught at the diocesan church summer camp. As she had always done in the past, she took care of her students and cooked delicious meals for all the campers.

Throughout her life, Vartanian’s loyalty to her pupils, friends and family remained a constant. She developed a close bond with her neighbor Nancy Clark, who was like the daughter she never had. Linda Tootelian Salwasser, another close friend, often visited Vartanian and ensured she didn’t feel alone, inviting her to get-togethers and family gatherings. 

In the final years, Vartanian lost some of her closest church friends. Clark and Tootelian Salwasser thus embraced even greater roles in caring for and supporting Vartanian, accompanying her to medical appointments and eventually helping her move to the California Armenian Home in 2020. 

On December 19, 2022, Vartanian was finally reunited with her late husband when she passed away at age 97. 

In 2023, as per her wishes in her will, an endowment was established in the couple’s name. Vartanian always wanted to do something special in memory of her beloved Carl, since a large portion of the moneys generated to establish the endowment came from stocks he had purchased before he met her. 

Today, the AGBU Carl and Zarouhi Vartanian Scholarship provides financial aid to deserving college students of Armenian heritage, specifically those whose majors include medicine, nursing, teaching, social work and other fields that benefit humankind.