Dr. Janet A (Mouradian) Markarian's Obituary
Janet A. (Mouradian) Markarian, 85, of Congers, NY died peacefully in the early morning hours on February 25, 2024 in her home, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease for nearly a decade.
Born September 20, 1938 in Mosul, Iraq, Janet was the youngest daughter of Talia Naoum (Durlissanian) and Apraham Mouradian, natives of Dikranagerd. Janet lost her father at a young age and was raised through adversity and adoration by her loving mother and older sister, Alice. Janet and her sister grew up with stories of the Armenian Genocide which had befallen the previous generation. Her natural propensity for academics emerged quickly during childhood and she was encouraged to focus on her studies, reading books by candlelight every night. She and her family moved from Mosul to Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk, before eventually settling in Baghdad. She graduated as the first female valedictorian from the University of Baghdad College of Medicine – news delivered to her by her then friend and future husband, Herand Markarian, whom she married in 1965 in New Jersey.
Janet arrived in the U.S. in 1964 to begin her career as a resident at Cornell University Medical Center/New York Hospital, where she used her maiden name of Mouradian and rose through the ranks, eventually attaining the rank of professor in 1984. Upon her retirement in 2000, she was designated Professor Emerita. During her 36-year tenure at Cornell, she was an integral part of the Department of Pathology, and rendered distinguished and meritorious service to the Medical College. She was a very valuable and highly respected teacher for medical students, residents, and fellows; she has trained some of the best pathologists in the country. Dr. Mouradian was an enthusiastic and imaginative teacher, and she had a unique quality that allowed her to transmit her great enthusiasm to students. She was recognized and awarded for her teaching by the medical students and truly enjoyed her contribution to their education. Dr. Mouradian, an internationally renowned pathologist, was highly respected among her peers and had a distinguished publishing background, authoring/co-authoring scores of scientific research papers. During her time at Cornell, she was selected to diagnose the Shah of Iran’s cancer. Dr. Mouradian was the Chief of Surgical Pathology for many years. Her dedication, expertise and warm presence will always be remembered by those that had the privilege of working with her.
Aside from her family and career, Janet’s Armenian heritage was central to her life. She was a member of the Armenian Co-Ed Youth Association of Baghdad, Homenetmen Baghdad, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), and the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society. Her dedication to culture and humanitarian work was an utmost priority for her. Janet was always devoted to helping those less fortunate than her. After serving as Chairwoman of the ARS “Mayr” Chapter of New York, she served as a member of the ARS’s worldwide Central Executive. For more than ten years Janet independently undertook the monumental task of coordinating the provision of assistance to numerous schools in villages and towns on the Armenian border. Janet was also a pillar of Hamazkayin New York Chapter’s theatrical and literary efforts, serving on the editorial board of “Menk” literary magazine, stage-managing over 50 theatrical productions, and founding the annual “Literary Gems and Wine” series. Her legacy of selfless service and dedication to her community and homeland through the Armenian Relief Society will forever shine as a beacon of inspiration.
An avid reader, lover of literature, she always had a book, play or article in her hand – that she very well might have been editing. Janet was a loving and dedicated mother to Gahmk and Yeraz. After long days at work, she made sure they came first. She did not miss any of their extracurricular activities in school, including theater, ballet, and later, Armenian dance or vocal performances. She loved spending weekends at the beach and was a collector of seashells. Spending time with her beloved grandchildren was one of her biggest highlights. Known by friends and colleagues alike for her quick-witted remarks, high energy, passion, sincerity, and extremely generous nature, Janet’s reputation of being a dynamo often preceded her. She held herself and others to the highest expectations yet was extremely humble about her own accomplishments. Whether she was correcting her medical students or her friends, Janet had an open and direct style of communication that felt supportive and inspired confidence at the same time.
Janet can once again see everything clearly now without illness or barriers. She will be watching (and affectionately correcting) us all for the rest of our days. You can count on it.
She leaves behind her husband of 58 years, Herand Markarian, son, Gahmk Markarian, daughter, Yeraz Markarian, two grandchildren who were among her most adored treasures, Matteos and Sarine, and her four beloved nieces, Shoghig (Karjian) Minassian, Sosi (Karjian) Simonian, Lucine Karjian, Hoori (Karjian) Samuelian and their families. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and by her beloved sister, Alice (Mouradian) Karjian.
Janet’s family is extremely grateful for the relentless love and support of their friends and family and the extended family of caregivers during the heart-break that was bearing witness to her decline. Janet was a deeply loved and adored wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother.
Visitation and wake will be held on Friday, March 1st from 6:30 - 8pm (followed by services at 8pm) at St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016. Interment services will be held at a private family ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Janet’s memory are asked to consider a donation to Armenian Relief Society Give - Armenian Relief Society https://ars1910.org/give/ and designate her as the honoree of their gift.
A Memorial and Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Spring and will be announced at a future date.
What’s your fondest memory of Janet?
What’s a lesson you learned from Janet?
Share a story where Janet's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Janet you’ll never forget.
How did Janet make you smile?