Obituary of Margaret Merlesena

Margaret (Miktarian-Kalousdian) Merlesena, age 94, who was very active in her church and community, passed away on Wednesday morning, Nov. 30, 2016, at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington. Margaret was one of four children born to Kachig and Dicranuhi Miktarian, who both were Armenian immigrants. She grew up and was educated in Akron, OH. As a teenager, Margaret had an opportunity to represent the Armenians in Akron at the Armenian Youth Convention in Boston. It was at the convention that she met a fellow attendee from Providence, RI, Sahag Kalousdian. They started a long-distance courtship between Akron, OH and Providence, RI. Eventually Sahag proposed and they were married in 1942. It was a short honeymoon, because Sahag was drafted into the Army and went off for three years to the Pacific during World War II. The new bride made the best of the circumstances spending her time in Providence with Sahag’s family as well as in Akron with her family. After returning from World War II in 1945, they started a family in Providence and then purchased their first home in Arlington, MA. In 1957, Sahag wanted a home with more land for the children to play, so they moved to Burlington. In 1960, Sahag passed away suddenly, and Margaret was left to raise and provide for three children ages 4 ½, 10 and 13. She went back to the working world as the first secretary for the Police Chief of Burlington. She worked for Chief McEachern and Chief Edward McCafferty. She was the first woman to work in the Burlington Police Department, from 1961 to 1987. She tried retirement, but it did not suit her well, so she went back to work for eight more years in the Burlington Conservation Department. Margaret also worked as the secretary to the Planning Board for many years. She served as a member of Burlington’s Town Meeting for decades, always watching out for the residents’ best interests. She was even a Cub Scout Leader. In 1971, Margaret met James Merlesena at a church dance and they were married in 1972. They shared 27 years of marriage together before his passing. They traveled extensively including, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and took many cruises to the Caribbean. Margaret was a founding member of St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston. She was a member of the Ladies Guild, Couples Club, Komitas Choral Society, and Armenian Youth Federation. She loved her neighborhood and shared a great bond with her neighbors. They watched out for each other, socialized, and cherished each other’s friendships. She loved to cook and entertain and always hosted dinner parties, holiday gatherings and cookouts. She was an avid reader and was very well versed in politics and history. The 2016 Presidential Election fascinated her. She read and watched all the campaign coverage. She stayed up all night watching the election results until a winner was announced. Margaret was a longtime fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. Anyone who ever heard her talk about her teams knew her favorite players were Tom Brady and David Ortiz. Margaret was never one who could sit idle. She was always on the go. It was her faith that gave her the courage and strength to overcome the many hardships during her life, including the passing of two husbands, two children and one grandson. Her positive spirit was inspiring to everyone who knew her. She made the most of every day, stayed true to her convictions, watched lovingly over her family, and always kept her deep faith in the forefront of everything she did. Margaret was the beloved wife of two great husbands; the late Sahag Kalousdian and late James Merlesena. She was the loving mother of Diane Biagiotti of Burlington and the late Karen Kouchakdjian and Hagop Michael Kalousdian. Mother-in-law of George Kouchakdjian of Middletown, RI, Becky Kalousdian of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and Kenneth Biagiotti of Burlington. Sister of the late Mike, Paul and Zobby Miktarian. Grandmother of Alex Kouchakdjian, Pamela Davis, Michael Kalousdian, Nicholas & Mark Biagiotti, and the late Christopher Kouchakdjian. Great grandmother of Zoe & Aiden Davis, Cameron, Maya, & Lucy Biagiotti, and Christian Kouchakdjian. Stepmother of Robert Merlesena & his wife Kathleen of Norfolk, Joseph Merlesena of Brockton, and Rose Jodice & her husband Leo of Chatham. Step grandmother of Michael Merlesena, Jimmy and Leon Jodice. Sister-in-law of Wilma Miktarian of Tallmadge, OH, and Theresa Brundage of Peabody. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Monday Dec. 5, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 38 Elton Ave., Watertown, followed by an interment in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Margaret’s name may be made to St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston, 38 Elton Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.