Obituary: The Late Anahid Kalaydjian

Mr. & Mrs. Ivan and Seta Danielian Proudian

Kareen Proudian and Lane Lachance

Maro Bezirdjian Ghysen and family

Announce the passing of their belovedMother, Grandmother and Relative

ANAHID KALAYDJIAN

September 17, 1930 - November 21, 2021 

The Memorial Service will take place atHoly Trinity Armenian Church920 Progress Avenue, Toronto, ON M1G 3T5onWednesday, December 1, 2021 at 11:00 am

A light reception will follow at the lower level of the ChurchKindly note that proof of second dose vaccination is requiredto attend the reception.

The 40th Day Memorial Service will take place onSunday, January 9, 2022at Holy Trinity Armenian Church

The Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian and the Parish Councilextend their condolences to family members and ask faithful parishionersto pray for the departed soul of the late Anahid Kalaydjian.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made toHoly Trinity Armenian ChurchTel: (416) 431-3001

  Anahid Kalaydjian's Brief BiographyAnahid Kalaydjian passed away peacefully in Toronto, Canada the morning of Sunday, November 21st, at 89 years of age.Born in Beirut, Lebanon on September 17, 1930. Anahid was a daughter, a big sister, a single-mother, a grandmother, a loyal friend and an active community member contributing wholeheartedly to Tekeyan committees, the Saint Gregory Illuminator Armenian church and AGBU. To everyone who knew her she was Ano. She is survived by her daughter Seta, her granddaughter Kareen and son-in law Ivan. Ano was born to a Genocide survivors Verkin and Artin Kalaydjian in Beirut with little means, and went to school accompanying her younger brother Varoujan to Djemaran Armenian school.  She married at the age of 20 and divorced at the age of 22.   Given the limited availability of vocations or careers available to a single mother in 1954, she started sewing and she honed her talents in real time while taking correspondence courses in Paris. She graduated as an haute-couturiere.  Armed now with confidence of the education, she cleverly built-up her skills and marketed herself, and built a successful atelier with employees and gave weekly pattern making classes to students.  In 1965, Ano and her brother Varouj decided to leave Beirut and settle in Montreal.  Varouj as a successful shirtmaker and Ano started working at a famous ladies designer studio doing alterations.  Soon after, her confidence re-emerged and she decided to go out on her own and open her business, managing clients privately. Through referrals, and word of mouth, it became known that there was nothing she could not do in the world of dresses.  Dominion Textiles needed a miracle worker to create unusual and exotic dresses for the runway to present spring and fall line up.  No one was more capable!  Dominion Textiles went on to sponsor and style the garments for the Miss Canada Pageant for several years she did it with accolades. In her personal life, her home was where family, friends and clients congregated.  It was an atelier, where ladies came to prepare for special occasions. It was a meeting place, where Tekeyan, church, Armenian school and other community members came to plan, discuss, and unwind over nene Verkine’s coffee. It was the family home where the door was always open and good food was endlessly available (thanks also to Nene Verkine). Her home was also where her granddaughter arrived daily from school. Ano was generous, open-minded, tirelessly hard-working, fiercely protective and fun-loving.   In 2010, she moved to Toronto to be closer to her family.  Regrettably, Alzhiemer’s slowly invaded and tangled her brain.  We are deeply sad to have lost her, but infinitely grateful to have had her in our lives for as long as we did.  Ano rests in peace infinitely!