Mary Charbogian

Service Details

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Racine Bible Church | 12505 Spring Street, Sturtevant

• Visitation – 1:00 pm
• Funeral Service – 2:30 pm

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

• Private Interment

Memorial Suggestions

• The Racine Bible Church Missions
• SOAR (Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief)
• The American Red Cross.

Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists

Racine – Mary Charbogian, our beloved Mother, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 9^th, 2018, and is now reunited with her husband Sam. Mary was the daughter of Haroutiun “Harry” and Isguhy Gaghinjian Barootian and was lovingly raised by her mother and step-father, Mihran “Mike” Chorbajian. Born in Racine, Wisconsin on January 9^th, 1922, Mary lived in Racine until her marriage to Sam Charbogian at St. John’s Armenian Church in Detroit, Michigan on September 5^th, 1942. After a year in Detroit, the young couple moved back to Racine.

Mom grew up on Marquette Street with her parents and brother Peter, attended Garfield Elementary, Washington Junior High and graduated from William Horlick High, Class of 1940; where she excelled. Without opportunity for college Mom took business courses and received a job offer from the Racine Public Library where she worked until her marriage.

Being the child of Armenian immigrants who had survived the Turkish massacre, Mom learned early the many blessings of this country. Life was not always easy for the family during the Great Depression. However, there was always an abundance of faith, love and (Armenian) food.

Mom grew up a lovely, intelligent, hardworking but shy young woman.   When it came time for her to date, her father was very strict with her.   She once said she feared she would never marry, since she wasn’t allowed to date, so she asked God to bring the man she should marry to her.   And one morning He did! And thus began a lifetime of love and devotion. Mom and Dad celebrated their 71^st wedding anniversary before Dad’s death in 2014.

Mom was a wonderful mother who always made everything seem easy. She made Easter dresses and coats every year for her daughters besides sewing for the entire family. She was a natural hostess who loved to entertain friends and family and did so with joy and grace. Her beautiful yard, where she spent many happy hours, was always in bloom.

Mom and Dad designed & drafted the blue-prints for their dream home; spending over two years in the process. To help their dream possible Mom began working outside the home and continued working for ~ 17 years as a Market Research Analyst for Racine Hydraulics/Rexnord.

Mom was a gifted writer who wrote and translated her Mother’s story of surviving the Armenian Genocide into a book, so her children and grandchildren would know the truth. It was fitting that she donated that book to the same library where she had worked. Mom was interested in history and thanks to her efforts the genealogy of our family has been preserved. During their retirement there was time for Mom and Dad to travel; they enjoyed vacations in Hawaii, Alaska and Europe.   But her favorite activity during retirement was the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Mom was a woman of faith who loved her Lord and lived out Proverbs 31; she served as an example to all who knew her – “her children rise up and call her blessed.” She never spoke harshly about anyone and always showed compassion.   She was truly one of those special people who brought sunshine to her corner of the world and left us a profound legacy of which we are proud.

Mom is survived by her five children: June (Steve) Boese, Sherry (Charbogian) Leiber, Mark (Linda) Charbogian, Cindi (Jeff) Stewart, all of Racine, and Nancy (Rob) Jorgensen of Waterford.   She leaves 12 grandchildren,… and 11 great-grandchildren with one on the way. Grandchildren: Jeff Boese, Jenny Boese, John Leiber, Dr. Michael (Katie) Leiber, Julie Leiber Kollwelter, Joshua (Angi) Jorgensen, Ani Jorgensen (Nick) LaFave, Rachel Jorgensen (Chris) Grobarchik, Bryan Charbogian, Hallie Charbogian, Samuel Stewart and Abigail Stewart.   Great-Grandchildren: Carter, Cadence, Lauren & Jack Leiber, Paige, Brianna and Jaclyn Kollwelter, Eli and Jack Jorgensen, Rain and Ari LaFave,… while Rachel & Chris are expecting their 1^st child.

Mom is also survived by: half-sister Mary Barootian Rzepecki, half-brothers Adam and Arthur Barootian, and nephews Myron (Kathy) Chorbajian and David Chorbajian.   Also left to mourn is the Parsegh Gaghinjian family of California, the Hajinian family and many other wonderful relatives and friends.

Mom was preceded in death by: her husband Sam, her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Shirley Chorbajian, her niece MaryRuth Chorbajian and her half-brother John Barootian.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 17^th, at the Racine Bible Church (12505 Spring Street, Sturtevant).   Visitation is from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at the church, with the service commencing at 2:30 pm. Private interment will be held Tuesday, February 20^th, at The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Suggested Memorials: The Racine Bible Church Missions, SOAR (Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief) or The American Red Cross.