Dorothy E. “Dottie” (Giderian) Elanjian of Woburn, January 26, 2026, passed peacefully at home at eighty six years old with her loving husband by her side. Beloved wife of C. George Elanjian, devoted mother of Janine M. Gregory and her husband Jim of Woburn, Loren E. Baccari and her husband Dom of Woburn, and J. Rafael Elanjian and his wife Julie of Burlington.
Cherished “Grammy” of Marissa Gregory and her fiancé Ira Lough, Sophia Gregory, Derek Baccari, Jenna Baccari, Sean Elanjian and preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter Sloane Elanjian.
Loving sister of Joyce (Giderian) Hurd and her late husband Chet and Jacqueline R. Giderian all of Hudson, N.H.
Adoring aunt of Stacey D. Hurd, her partner Nate High of Bedford. N.H. and George G. Hurd, Hudson, N.H. and proud great aunt of Carly High and Jonathan Hurd..
The family extends their sincere gratitude to Charity Wanjiru, Dottie’s devoted live-in caregiver, for her compassionate and loving care with Dottie and to Beth Israel Health Hospice care.
A Funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 5th 11:00 a.m. at Saint Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, MA. Interment to follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visiting hours, Wednesday, February 4th from 4–7 p.m. at Saint Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church with additional visitation at the church Thursday, February 5th 10-11 a.m. prior to funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Dottie’s memory to St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church 38 Elton Ave, Watertown, MA 02472 or Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home Hospice, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Attention: Gift Processing 41 Mall Rd. Burlington, MA 01805.
“A teacher affects eternity,
he can never tell where his influence stops.”
Henry Adams
Dorothy “Dottie” Elizabeth (Giderian) Elanjian Woburn,MA beloved wife, treasured mother, grandmother, sister, friend and prominent retired Woburn teacher passed away peacefully at her home with her loving husband by her side on January 26, 2026. She was born July 23, 1939, in Nashua, New Hampshire and resettled in Woburn MA in 1969 devoting her time to raising her family and living her dream vocation as a High School English teacher for Woburn Public Schools.
Dottie was raised at 100 Vine Street in Nashua, NH by her loving parents, Mary (Najarian) and John G. Giderian, both parents with family history immigrating to the United States from Armenia after surviving the Armenian Genocide with Dottie’s father and other family eventually leading distinguished careers in their chosen vocations. At an early age, Dottie possessed a deep love of learning and curiosity about the world around her with a keen interest in the performing arts, at times to the chagrin of her two younger sisters tasked as Dottie’s audience or given a role when Dottie’s imagination was at play. Dottie had a unique gift for music, playing the piano and reproducing a chord simply by hearing it. She had a lifelong love for singing and dance, including a talent for tap dancing. Throughout her youth, Dottie loved performing for others such as in dance recitals and even did some very early modeling. Dottie’s early passion for the arts including music and dance remained central to her life, always rejuvenating her spirit and whose flair for drama and fashion would later captivate her students, inspiring them to discover their own voices and cultivating creativity and self expression through literature and the written word.
After graduating Plymouth State College in 1961, Dottie met the love of her life, C. George Elanjian, at an Armenian dance where they forged an instant connection. They married August 11, 1963 beginning a partnership spanning 63 years. As a couple, they celebrated their shared Armenian heritage and often attended Armenian events. They never shied away from a dance floor showcasing their joy of movement and rhythm and it was not uncommon to find Dottie singing and dancing to various genres of music while doing household tasks. Dottie always surrounded herself with beauty. She had timeless tastes for fashion and found joy in home decorating, especially to celebrate holidays and displaying cherished mementos that were meaningful to her. There was never a day without fresh flowers or a single bud on display in her Woburn and Gloucester homes, a tradition her husband lovingly upheld when it was needed. Dottie’s marriage with George was filled with family traditions and an unwavering devotion to their children marked with lively debates, affection, and laughter. As a mom, Dottie was very giving to her children with sometimes grand, but more often thoughtful gestures of care such as notes of encouragement, surprise treats in unexpected places, and encouraging each of her children’s individuality. Dottie and George made time for each other when it counted most, something not always easy with their fierce work ethics in their respective careers. They built a tight circle of friends to share dinners or attend church and cultural events. Dottie also forged lifelong friendships rooted in her youth shared with her siblings or with her Woburn and Gloucester neighbors and professional colleagues with lasting bonds defined by mutual admiration, respect, and shared interests.
As her family grew, Dottie especially adored her grandchildren and was a constant presence in their lives. She was their biggest supporter and fiercest advocate. Grammy often wrote special letters for each grandchild filled with life advice, championing their strengths and sharing her hopes for them. One of Dottie’s life heartbreaks was losing her granddaughter Sloane who remained forever in Dottie’s heart and in her mind.
For the last 27 years, Dottie always found peace spending her summers in Gloucester. She cherished sitting on her front porch in her rocking chair with a book in hand and a flower bud tucked behind one ear, sharing a glass of wine or a Bloody Mary with her husband or guests, waving to strangers, or strolling the shops and summer fairs. For over 2 decades, Dottie hosted countless cookouts for family and grandkids, family friends and their kids opening her home and her heart to multi generations who love to gather on her back patio or around her table in between time spent at Good Harbor Beach.
One of Dottie’s starring roles was that of an English teacher that was her lifelong dream she imagined starting in first grade. She secured her first professional position the year before getting married in 1962 teaching middle school literature for 2 years at the Winslow School in Tyngsboro, MA. earning a yearbook dedication, followed by a unique experience teaching at the Boston Center for the Blind learning Braille to best connect with her students until 1966 when she left teaching to start a family. Dottie took a 14 year hiatus showering attention to her growing family while volunteering in the community and at St. Stephen’s Apostolic Church, but her aspirations to teach never wavered. She returned to education in 1980 as a special ed tutor and did multiple short and long term subbing positions for Woburn Schools. Although often temporary posts, students quickly took notice of Dottie and the way she engaged student learning. In the words of one English Language Learner in her college essay, she wrote that Dottie acted as the “liberator who freed [her] from the language barrier”. In 1993 in the wake of budget cuts and potential lay offs, Dottie received true affirmation of her talents, influence and passion to teach when countless students rallied and petitioned school officials for her to have a permanent place in the English Department at Woburn High School. In 1995, Dottie finally secured a full time English teacher position that offered her the stability she earned quickly living up to the reputation that preceded her. She transformed room 1212 into a magical place for learning, with one former student describing Dottie’s classroom as “a beautiful oasis”. She brought books to life to evoke critical thinking, expand world views, and sparked creative expression. Dottie was often known for her endless quotes such as “show, don’t tell”, her eclectic music selections, and for her infamous tea parties with her heroin’s journey students. Many former students credit her with discovering their love for the written word or pursuing careers in teaching because of her influence, the ultimate tribute. She touched so many students in ways that defied teaching standards as described in countless thank you notes or essays about her from students and parents. Her poise, dignity, and pride in her work combined with her care, patience, compassion and believing in her student’s potential as well as her beauty, her wardrobe and high heels made her extraordinary and unique as an educator. She also had no fear asserting herself with students twice her stature! Dottie was teeny but mighty in her passion to inspire her students and she also owed her success to supportive administrators and colleagues who remained special to her outside of the classroom. Other accolades are a Teacher of the Year recognition in 1999 from the Department of Education and a 2005 H.S. yearbook dedication upon her retirement highlighting the profound respect and admiration she earned in her career.
At her core, Dottie cherished the quieter rhythms of life. She loved taking long walks with her beloved dogs and she treasured peaceful moments with a cup of tea, watching her favorite British programs, reading a novel or writing in her journals. Her favorite book was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn that served as a powerful life metaphor and symbolism around resiliency and the human spirit. While she was not one for extensive travel, she held dear the lively memories made with her husband, kids, and grandkids on trips to Florida, London, the Bahamas, and Aruba. Her lasting bonds with her sisters and niece and nephew’s families is a forever connection from the heart that her illness or distance never erased.
Dorothy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago. Throughout her illness, her husband George, cared for her with extraordinary love, patience, and devotion. He ensured she was able to remain in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family, love, and dignity. Dottie passed peacefully with her husband holding her hand, sharing their final moment in a lifelong bond.