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Rose Javian Krajian 1914 - 2012 Rose Krajian was born in 1914, the daughter of Acabe and Abraham Javian. Abraham came to America from Arapgir, Turkey in 1896, to escape the threat to Armenians in eastern Anatolia. He created a home in Fitchburg, MA. Once settled there, Acabe joined him. Their two children, Thomas and Rose, were born in Fitchburg. Acabe’s death when Rose was six prompted the family to move closer to other relations in Chelsea, MA. Rose graduated from Chelsea High School, recognized there as a star and high scoring forward on the girls’ basketball team. Her dream of going to college to become a physical education instructor was deferred and then never realized. In 1948, Leon Krajian came from London, England to attend a New Year’s party in Watertown, MA held for the primary purpose of introducing him to lovely and available Rose. The couple’s courtship was whirlwind – they were married in Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Philadelphia on February 20, 1948. Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed telling the story of their meeting and finding in the other, the love of their lives. Rose and Leon settled in Philadelphia. They had two children, Joyce and Leon, Jr. Rose was active in the home and community. She became renowned for her hospitality and her cooking and baking. She learned from her father how to cook the wonderful foods of their homeland. Rose and Leon’s home was often the first stop in the U.S. for Armenian immigrants from the Middle East. They provided lodging, food, clothing, assistance and support in the transition to a new life in America. Rose volunteered in her children’s schools, their scout troops, supporting their active childhoods in every way imaginable. No stranger to loss, Rose was widowed after 22 years of marriage. There was never a time that Rose didn’t work outside the home, part time and later full time in retail. Her 35 year career at Gimbels Northeast was marked by her great customer service and managerial skills. She worked to support the college education of her children. After her husband's death, Rose's friendship with women friends deepened as they traveled together to such places as Hawaii, Alaska, Lebanon, Greece, Israel, England and France. For over 30 years, she was a beloved volunteer at Jeanes Hospital. As a patient visitor, she listened compassionately. Until she was 93, Rose maintained an active lifestyle, walking, biking, driving to Narberth to visit her grandsons most weekends, and flying to San Diego twice a year to visit with her son and granddaughter there. She moved from her home of 50 years in Philadelphia to Rosemont Presbyterian Village for 3 years, and then Broomall Presbyterian Village for the last 5 years of her life. Wherever Rose was, beauty followed.

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Rose J. Krajian

March 6, 1914 - November 16, 2012