Lucille Setian

Lucille Setian (Manoogian), 98, passed away on December 3,2022, at her home in Williamsburg, VA. Lucille was born September 17,1924 in Bettendorf, IA. She was the first-born daughter of Setrag and Aghavni Manoogian, Armenian immigrants starting a new life in America. Lucille excelled scholastically and graduated at the top of her high school class in Detroit, MI, where the family had settled. Feeling the urge to serve her country, Lucille was hired stateside as an assistant to a high-ranking military officer—a position that took her to Frankfurt, Germany in 1950. It was there that she received a dinner invitation on Thanksgiving Day from Zadig (Zad) Setian, an Army officer she’d met shortly before relocating. He was stationed in Frankfurt and tracked her down through friends. Following a whirlwind romance, they married in 1951and began a 64-year honeymoon. Zad’s military career allowed he and Lucille to see much of the world with their three children. Lucille became an expert at packing and unpacking the household every 1-2 years and could make even drab Army Base housing look welcoming and cozy. She was a talented decorator and an amazing cook who loved to entertain. The family settled in West Springfield, VA after Zad’s retirement, and Lucille became Secretary to the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, a position she dearly loved. In 1975, Zad’s job took him to Chicago, so the couple and their son relocated to Barrington, IL. Lucille and two close friends became business partners, opening “The Happy Cooker” in Palatine, IL in 1977. This was both a retail store that sold high-end kitchenware and a cooking school with classes taught by chefs from Chicago’s most popular restaurants. Zad and Lucille retired in Williamsburg, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Lucille spent many hours and sometimes several days decorating, cooking, and baking to create lifelong memories for everyone during the holidays. There was nothing she loved more than to have her entire family together. That legacy continues through her descendants. Lucille was predeceased by her parents; three brothers, Harry, Henry, and Babe; and husband, Zad. She is survived by her children, Jenise Setian, Jude Setian-Marston (John), and Richard Setian (Lisa); grandchildren, Natalie Swift (Aaron), Kara Marston, Andrew Setian (Amber), Cameron Setian (Ali); and great-grandchildren, Liana Swift, Emmie Setian and Owen Setian. The family would like to thank Bayada Home Health Care and Gentiva Hospice for their extraordinary caregivers and nurses who worked together to keep Lucille comfortable during her final months. The family will hold a private burial and memorial service for Lucille. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The The Armenian General Benevolent Union in Lucille’s name, using this link: https://agbu.org/honor-loved-one Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Setian family.