After 98 wonderful years, Zevart Shakarjian, formerly of Upper Darby, PA and Mount Laurel, NJ, peacefully passed away on March 11, 2024.

Zevart was the beloved wife of the late Diran Shakarjian for 66 years. She was the loving mother of Richard G. Shakarjian (Alice), Nancy Hovnanian (Stephen), Susan Kludjian (Dana), and Jeanne Ohnigian (Robert).  She was the grandmother (Mom Mom) of Richard D. Shakarjian (Angela), Dawn Penecale (Greg), Nick Shakarjian (Lindsay), Stephan Hovnanian (Lisa), Haig Hovnanian, Garo Hovnanian (Tamar), Karinné Andonian (Krikor), Geena Kludjian (Sean Ahern), Peter Ohnigian, and Mary Ohnigian.  She was also the loving “Momig” of fifteen great grandchildren.  She is survived by her brother, Edward Boyajian (Margaret), and her sister, Grace Pakhtigian (Kosrof – deceased).  She was predeceased by her sister, Rose Semerjian and Rose’s husbands John Semerjian and Haigas Artzerounian.   She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Zevart was born in Philadelphia, Pa, to the late George Boyajian and Armenouhi Der Hagopian.  She was raised by her father and step-mother Virginia (nee Kapigian) Boyajian in East Lansdowne and Upper Darby, PA, and graduated from Upper Darby High School.  After high school she worked at the York Corporation in Philadelphia for five years and then got married. She then became a “Mom,” spending most of her married life as a homemaker, volunteering, and working part time as a “Kelly Girl” and at a CPA firm.

Zev’s volunteer work included serving at the Deaf School in Fernwood, PA, volunteering at Delaware County Memorial Hospital, doing Meals on Wheels in Delaware County, and assisting in a 1st grade classroom at the Washington School in Camden, NJ.  She was also very active in the Eastern Star, the Ladies Guild at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church, and was always ready to jump in and help the church at bazaars, sport weekends, etc.  She and her husband, Diran, were active members of the PAND (New Year’s Eve) committee for 28 years.

Zevart was extremely social and had a lot of friends.  She loved to play cards and was very close to all her card groups.  She was especially close to her “original dinner group” who got together monthly and took trips together for over 40 years.    

Services will take place on Thursday,March 14 at St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 630 Clothier Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096

• Visitation:  10:00 am
• Funeral service: 11:00 am
• Interment:  following service at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Rd., Drexel Hill, PA 19026 

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to:

St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church
630 Clothier Rd., Wynnewood, PA 19096
–  Online: www.sahagmesrob.church

Holy Trinity Armenian Church
101 Ashmead Rd., Cheltenham, PA 19092
   – Online: www.holytrinity-pa.org/donation

“For you have been my shelter, a strong tower against the foe.” (Psalm 61:3)