BIOGRAPHY

Lucy Mirigian was born in Erzurum, Erzurum Province, Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey), on 15 August 1906, the youngest of five children of Kevork and Altoon Sarkisian. At a very young age, Lucy contracted smallpox that left her blind in her right eye. She would spend the rest of her life with an artificial eye. She was an avid reader, a skilled craftswoman, an adventurous world traveler, and a tireless organizer.

As a young girl, Lucy and her family were forced to leave everything behind, fleeing Turkey before the Armenian genocide. They resettled in Fresno, California, where her father and grandfather — who had served as a parish priest in Armenia — helped build the Holy Trinity Armenian Church.

At age 15, Lucy faced another challenge when she contracted typhoid fever, causing her to lose a year of school. But true to her determined spirit, she returned to her studies, completed high school, and graduated from secretarial school. In the years that followed, Lucy dedicated herself to teaching Sunday School and Armenian School, and she founded youth clubs for the young members of the Fresno Armenian Church community.

In 1936, Lucy married Ashod Mirigian, and together they moved to the Bay Area, eventually settling in San Francisco. Lucy immediately became active in the San Francisco Armenian community. She once again taught Sunday School and Armenian School, and participated in the Ladies Auxiliary and the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). When the United Nations was being established in San Francisco in 1945, Lucy volunteered with a group of women led by George Mardikian, helping to prepare meals for the international delegates during their planning sessions at the Opera House. Lucy and Ashod were also founding members of the Armenian American Citizens League (AACL), an organization dedicated to assisting displaced persons arriving in the United States from war-ravaged Armenia.

Together, Lucy and Ashod raised two children — Sonia and Garo. Lucy was deeply involved in her children’s lives, participating in the PTA and supporting their school activities. She encouraged their love of learning and music — both children studied violin and piano and went on to become career educators. As her children grew more independent, Lucy began working for the Social Security Administration. After her retirement, she embraced her passion for travel, eventually journeying around the world. Always active and engaged, she joined AARP and became involved in their local chapter, where she found great joy organizing trips and activities for fellow seniors. As the group’s tour director, she coordinated countless excursions — from gambling trips to cruises.

Lucy Mirigian passed away in Fresno, California, USA, on 12 February 2021, at the age of 114 years, 181 days. She was survived by her two children, as well as two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 114-year-old Minnie Whicker on 22 October 2020, she became the oldest living person in the state of California, at the age of 114 years, 68 days. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Mila Mangold.

At the time of her passing, she was the second-oldest living person in the United States, after Hester Ford.

Lucy Mirigian is the oldest documented person of Armenian descent.

ATTRIBUTION

* “114-Year-Old Lucy Mirigian Passes Away in San Francisco” — Asbarez.com, 18 February 2021

* Lucy Mirigian obituary — Yost & Webb Funeral Home

GALLERY