It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our mom, Lucy Sevatzian Bogossian, on Thursday, January 14, 2021.

She leaves behind her daughters, Aline (Vahan), Elize (Richard), her much beloved grandchildren, Cassandra, Alec, Aren and Tro, her brother Onik (Rosie), her cherished aunt Sona as well as members of her extended family and friends from Greece, Cyprus, France, Argentina, USA and Canada.

Lucy was born in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1942 to Mgrditch and Elize Sevatzian. Growing up in a multigenerational household with her parents, brother Onik and their grandparents provided fodder for the stories she would later recount to her daughters. Lucy grew up immersed in the close knit Armenian community of Thessaloniki, where she learned the language, traditions, and culture of her ethnic roots. She attended local Greek schools, including Thessaloniki’s Trito Gymnasio for Girls, and in 1962, met the love of her life, Movses Bogossian from Athens. A long distance courtship ensued over 4 years. Despite 500 km separating them, notes written on the backs of photographs offer a glimpse into a blossoming love, graciously facilitated by the Greek postal service. Lucy and Movses finally married in January 1966, there Lucy was welcomed by the large loving Bogossian family and settled in Athens where their daughter, Alina Haiganoush, was born. In 1968, with $200, 2 suitcases and a framed painting, the trio left Greece for Canada with hopes for a different future. They initially settled in Montreal’s Park Avenue district, a welcome neighbourhood for new immigrants from Greece, where new and old friends helped to soothe the heartache of leaving behind beloved family. Their daughter Elise Natalie bounded into their lives in 1969 and over the next 13 years, the family moved from an apartment in Park Extension to their own small home in Laval. Through these years, Lucy worked inside the home with passion and an energy that knew no bounds. In addition to her feisty personality and infectious laughter, she was an exceptional cook, knitting, and embroidery masterpieces and maintained a spotless home and spotless children.

Lucy sadly lost Movses in April 1983. Heartbroken but determined, she worked to recreate her world while raising their two teenaged daughters. One major challenge was to learn to drive her 1980 Pontiac Lemans out of her sloped driveway! When she did, she shifted into the role of sole provider, and carried on in her new job at Linda Lingerie where she worked until she retired. Soon after the loss of her husband, her father passed away. Lucy returned to Greece and moved her mother, who was beginning to show signs of dementia, to Canada in order to care for her until her death.

In the later part of her life, Lucy continued to work hard, nurturing friendships, supporting her daughters, and helping to care for her four grandchildren. Wishing to give back to the community after losing her mother to Alzheimer’s disease, she dedicated her spare time as a volunteer for the Montreal Sossé Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society on a program providing friendly visits and support to older adults living in long-term care.

Lucy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Charismatic and elegant, proud and effervescent, she was loved by many, and will always be remembered for her nurturing ways, her hard work, her loyalty, and her generosity of spirit. We are convinced that a village of people are waiting for her and that she will be received in love.

In lieu of flowers, please forward donations “In memory of Lucy Sevatzian Bogossian” to the Armenian Relief Society, Montreal Sossé Chapter @ sosse.comptable@gmail.com (Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $20, make sure to provide your name and full mailing address and your email address to receive your receipt.)