Sossy Mahdessian
Sossy passed peacefully in August of 2025, at age 87. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Kalousd Mahdessian.
Born to parents Hagop and Sirarpi Ahdjemian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who met as teachers at an Armenian orphanage in Beirut, she was the youngest of three girls.
She graduated from Beirut College for Women (now part of LAU, Lebanese American University), taking 2 trams each way to attend class. 1958 was a time of civil unrest; the US had sent troops and invaded Beirut. Hence, no family member could attend her graduation. Pictures were taken later at a safer time. She was grateful to start working immediately in the field she loved most, print media, as a news analyst.
She married Kalousd, in 1960. It was a love match. They started a family in Beirut, with 2 very young children in tow, they emigrated to US in 1966, and eventually settled in Racine, WI, where their third child was born.
The family was very involved in St. Hagop’s church, where her husband was a deacon, she enjoyed teaching Armenian school and was a devout parishioners. She instilled the love of her Faith into her children.
Sossy held a variety of positions in her 30 year professional career in the US, first as a proofreader at newspaper Racine Journal Times, executive secretary at The Milwaukee Sentinel and St. Luke’s hospital, and finally, Modine Mfg Co., where she worked 17 years until she retired.
After retirement, she and her husband relocated to the greater Boston area to be closer to family. There, she experienced the joy of 2 more grandchildren, and the struggle of her husband’s stroke. She devoted the next 16 years to his care.
With his passing came a deep sense of loss, but also the opportunity to experience living independently for the first time in her life. She enjoyed her retirement. She was a member of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, where she was a devoted parishioner. She participated in programs at the local Council on Aging and enjoyed going to the health club to swim, exercise, and see friends. Most of all, she enjoyed visiting with her family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and neighbors.
In Spring of 2025, she was diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma (brain cancer). With great faith and fortitude, she declined top treatment that was offered. She lived her final months with grace and acceptance; she was stoic, sweet and inspiring until the end.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug 23 at 10am at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Cambridge, MA. Interment to follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Watertown, MA, where her final resting place will be with her husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Cambridge, MA or Saint Hagop's Armenian Church, Racine, WI.