Between 1979 and 1994, the voice of Mary Mardirosian introduced classic jazz recordings both new and old on Worcester public radio airwaves. Now that voice has been stilled.
She is survived by her dear friend and longtime companion Ronald DeSourdis, three sisters; Vera Konjoian and her husband Michael of Andover, Julia Barbara Yergatian and her husband Charles of Franklin and Elizabeth Sargavakian of Waltham; and several nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. A sister Eve Akillian predeceased her.
Born in Andover, MA, daughter of Bedros and Julia (Arakelian) Hagopian, the first child of survivors of the Armenian genocide, Mary soon learned the value of hard work, both on the farm and looking after her four younger sisters. One of her fondest pastimes when she did receive a welcome break was listening to favorites like Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Goodman on the radio.
At the age of 17, she married Mardiros (“Mardy”) Mardirosian and the two moved to his home town of Worcester. Mardy did everything within his means to please his new bride, including taking her to hear live music. One of their favorites was the Count Basie Orchestra, and they began seeing the band whenever it played the area. Gradually they became friends with many of the Basie band, and eventually Bill Basie himself.
Mardy died of cancer in 1977, and after dealing with her grief Mary decided to reach out and become active in the community. In 1979 this led her to Worcester's WCUW radio, where she quickly found her niche with her unique delivery, knowledge and anecdotes, and of course her immaculate taste in jazz. She was already a fixture on the Worcester airwaves when she moved to WICN, where she continued her brand of music until her last broadcast on October 8, 1994. As a goodbye to her many fans, she introduced a Basie number as “describing the way I want to leave you: 'Softly, with Feeling'.” For at least another ten years she continued to go out to hear live jazz, and usually someone would approach her and tell her that they wanted her back on the air, that she had left too soon. Inevitably, nature robbed her of mobility and stamina, and, in a sense most cruelly of all, her hearing. But she would still listen, or try to listen, to jazz recordings at home.
On March 15, 2015, she once again left us, softly, with feeling.
Too soon.
Mary’s Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 19 at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove Street. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery. A visiting hour will also be held on Thursday at church from 10 am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.