Mary Hovsepian

Mary (Bedeian) Hovsepian, 100, of Worcester passed away peacefully on October 6, at UMASS Medical University Hospital. Her loving family and adoring friends were at her side.

Mary was three weeks shy of her 101st birthday. In 2017, at the celebration of her 100th Birthday, her family and friends gathered at the Old Mill in Westminster to celebrate her long, creative and loving life. It was impossible to be with Mary and not share a laugh, her greatest gift to all who knew her.

She leaves her devoted daughter, best friend, and caregiver, Marlene Markarian of Paxton; grandchildren Marlo, wife of Jeremy Richard of Paxton; Leah, wife of Brian Fernandes of West Boylston; Leon Hovsepian III and wife Jamie of Brooklyn, NY; Lisa Hovsepian of Worcester; and daughter-in- law, Sarah Hovsepian of West Boylston. She also leaves her cherished great grandchildren: Jonathan and Cameron Richard; Kayla and Emma Fernandes; and Leo and Logan Hovsepian.

She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, local acclaimed artist Leon Hovsepian; her son Leon Hovsepian II; and sister Ann Coffin.

Mary was born October 29, 1917, in Bettendorf, Iowa, the daughter of Vahan and Arakse (Potigian) Bedeian. She moved to Worcester as a teenager and graduated from the former Commerce High School.

Mary was creative, artistic and musical. She was a successful interior decorator; played violin in the Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra; was a set designer for the Foothills Theater and was a partner in her art and design business with her husband. Together they traveled the world, seeking inspiration for their in-demand services for their art and design projects. They were a team that was multi-talented as well as a true love story.

Mary and Leon designed and built their unique home in Worcester, where she was able to live independently under the watchful care of her daughter, wonderful friends and neighbors, Ronald and Linda Cyr, Timothy Hagopian, and the late Melvin Katz.


There are no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury St., Worcester, on what would have been Mary's 101st birthday, MONDAY, OCTOBER 29th at 11AM. Flowers are welcome, as Mary loved and cared for her plants daily. Also, donations can be made to the Armenian Church of Our Saviour or a charity of your choice.