Esther Zaybekian

Esther Zaybekian, 94, most recently of Denville, NJ passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024. She was born in Philadelphia on April 21, 1930, the youngest child and only daughter of Manoog and Arevnaz Krikorian. She enjoyed playing basketball for the Armenian church youth league and graduated from Overbrook High School in Philadelphia in 1948.

Esther met her husband Philip as a child. He was the younger brother of her good friend Florence, and she agreed to date him only if he took their relationship seriously. He did. They married in 1960 and moved to Elizabeth, NJ where their first son Guy was born. Shortly after they moved to Parsippany, NJ. She managed the household and supported her family through multiple global moves as Philip took on new assignments with Exxon Chemical. They lived in Holland, Brussels, and Canada, where their second son Armen was born, before returning to Parsippany.

After many years running the household and helping her husband through health issues in his early 50’s, they embraced his early retirement. They often went to New York City to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Opera (where they were season ticket holders for decades) and enjoy the restaurant scene. They were active members of the Exxon Annuitants Club, and travelled extensively with trips to Hawaii and several cruises in Europe. They were also fortunate to travel with his sister Florence and her husband Mike to Alaska and Italy.

Esther was an active member of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Livingston, NJ where she was a beloved Sunday school teacher and eventual Superintendent for many years, as well as an active member of the Women’s Guild.

Esther was a caring and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her son Guy and his wife Ellen, as well as her son Armen and his wife Christina. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Ryan, Jackie, Trevor, Charlie and Andrew. Esther is pre-deceased by her husband Philip, who passed away in 2021, as well as her older brothers George and John.

Recognizing Esther’s commitment to her faith, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary Armenian Church (https://www.stmarynj.net/donate, see the Endowment link lower on the webpage, then specify “In Memory of Esther Zaybekian”).

Visitation for Esther will be held Saturday, November 23 from 9:00 – 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 200 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039, followed immediately by her funeral at 11:00 AM. A committal will occur after the funeral at Restland Memorial Park, 77 Deforest Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07039.