Grace Kassardjian

Obituary

Grace Kassardjian
April 21, 1955 – March 12, 2025

Grace Kassardjian, a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025.
Born on April 21, 1955, at Christ Hospital in New Jersey, Grace moved with her family to Beirut, Lebanon, before her first birthday. In Beirut, she was raised with love and strong family values alongside her older sister, Vera, and younger sister, Sandy, by their parents, Noubar and Anahid Nazarian. She received her early education at Demirdjian Elementary School and later attended Lebanon Evangelical School for Girls. Grace pursued higher education at the American University of Beirut (AUB), earning a BA in Economics in 1977. After graduating, she worked at the United Nations as a data analyst focused on Gulf region countries.
On May 6, 1970, Grace attended a birthday party for a young man named Sarkis Kassardjian. The two then grew close, fell in love, and eventually married on July 15, 1978. They began a lifelong partnership centered on love and resilience, welcoming their first son, Serge, in 1980.

In the summer of 1985, as the Lebanese Civil War intensified, Grace and her family made the difficult decision to leave Beirut and start a new life in Palos Verdes, California. While adapting to a new country was not always easy, Grace’s characteristic determination and love for her family enabled her to build a new home shaped by warmth and culture. In 1992, she welcomed her second son, Mark, completing their beautiful family.

Grace was a devoted daughter, always honoring her parents and upholding the values they instilled in her. As a mother, she prioritized her sons’ education and personal growth, ensuring they thrived in both school and life. She was the backbone of a close-knit family, instilling strong morals, work ethic, and a deep appreciation for their Armenian culture. She cherished her role as a grandmother to her beloved grandson, Theo, whom she welcomed in 2023.

Grace treasured her Armenian heritage, as evident by her lifelong commitment to the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Armenian Church. While Grace’s relationships stretched the globe, she never overlooked those near her. She loved her work with numerous charitable organizations in Southern California, including Sandpipers, Vistas, and Las Floristas.
Grace lived her life with fierce passion and enthusiasm. Ever the artist of the family, she was an accomplished painter, a talented knitter, an exquisite cook, and an adventurous traveler. She loved exploring new cultures and hobbies with her dear friends, as anyone who joined her in a weekly Canasta or Mahjong game can attest. Always impeccably dressed and radiating energy, Grace brought warmth and vibrancy to every gathering. She became a second mother to her sons’ friends, ready to feed with endless food and entertain with endless banter.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 47 years, Sarkis; her loving sons, Serge (Emily) and Mark (Harlyn); her cherished grandson, Theo; her beloved mother, Anahid Nazarian; her dear sisters, Vera and Sandy; and many treasured family members and friends.

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