Hazel Kizirian

Hazel née Hazarhan Serabian Kizirian, 97, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 22, 2023. Hazel passed away peacefully in the home she shared with her daughter Shakay surrounded by her cherished and devoted family, just as she had requested, after a brief illness.

Hazel was born on February 6 , 1926 to “ Honest” John Serabian and Marian (Poharian) Serabian in Massena, New York, a small town in the St. Lawrence County. Both of her parents were witnesses and survivors of the brutality waged by the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian genocide of 1915.

Hazel was an honor student and graduate of Massena High School were she excelled not only in academics but in sports.

She especially enjoyed her studies in Latin, English, and literature. She excelled in volleyball, basketball, ice and roller skating, bowling and on hot days would enjoy walking with her friends to the St. Lawrence Seaway for a cool swim.

Because of her love of sports, Hazel decided to become a physical education teacher and completed her first semester at Courtland State Teachers College with honors.

Tragically, during her Christmas break, her eldest brother Private First Class Arthur Serabian ( Purple Heart Recipient US Army) made the ultimate sacrifice on December 11, 1944.

Hazel made a life altering decision not to return to college and to stay in Massena to support her grieving parents and assist in running their neighborhood grocery store. Hazel and her family lived above the store which was central to her upbringing and taught her the value of hard work and strong family ties.

Due to this decision, Hazel was in Massena when Corporal Harry Kizirian (US Marine Corps) the "Armenian Hero from RI” was passing through the area on his way to Detroit.

They enjoyed a long distance courtship of daily letter writing, a marriage proposal on November 10, 1946 (The Marine Corps Birthday) and celebrated 55 years of devotion before Harry’s passing on September 13, 2002.

Hazel was a dedicated homemaker and devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed being a kid herself with her five children and supporting her husband as the Providence Postmaster.

Both Hazel and Harry were active in the Armenian Community, supporting all three churches and served in a variety of community organizations.

Hazel enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, cooking, baking, traveling and was a true word smith. She looked forward to the challenge of the daily word jumble in the newspaper and was always ready to win a game of Scrabble or talk about current events. As busy as she was, Hazel also made the time to volunteer at the Roger Williams Medical Center which provided her with much joy.

Hazel took her love of knitting and for the past several years would make hats for the students at the Harry Kizirian Elementary School in Providence.

Hazel was known for her deep faith, love of family and having fun. Her warm smile, kindness, gentle and mischievous nature and sense of humor will be remembered by all who had the blessing to know her.

Hazel is survived by her children Joanne (Clint) Robertson of North Providence, Thomas ( Vikki) Kizirian Sr. of Rumford, Dr. Janice Kizirian of Pawtucket, Shakay Kizirian of North Providence and Richard Kizirian of Providence, her grandchildren, Rebecca DiStefano of Rumford, Thomas Kizirian Jr. of Peabody, MA, Joseph Robertson of Ashburn, VA, Janice Robertson of Smithfield and Abigail Myers of Brooklyn, NY. and her great grandchildren Erin and Max DiStefano of Rumford.

In addition to her parents, Hazel was predeceased by her siblings Oske Power of Massena, Private First Class Arthur Serabian of Massena, Osnif Gallucci of Glens Falls and Armen Serabian of Massena.

Hazel's calling hours will be held at the Russell J. Boyle Funeral Home 331 Smith Street, Providence on Thursday, October 26th, from 5:00 - 8:00pm. A funeral services will be held at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, 402 Broadway, Providence, on Friday, October 27, at 11:00am. Interment will follow in Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Armenian Missionary Association of America ( AMAA)

Armenian Children’s Milk Fund 31 West Century Road Paramus, NJ 07652 or Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church 402 Broadway Providence RI 02909 in Hazel's memory would be appreciated.