Elsie Star (Esperian) Sarkisian

Elsie Star Sarkisian (Esperian) passed away at home in Natick, Massachusetts on October 23, 2022. She was 82 years old. Elsie leaves behind her beloved husband, Sarkis M. Sarkisian, whom she was married to for 60 years. In addition, she is survived by her four children: Sarkis M. Sarkisian II of Natick (Kim); David M. Sarkisian of New Albany, OH (Susan); M. Robert Sarkisian of Nantucket (Leslie Heiden); and Julie S. Sarkisian of Littleton, MA (Darrin). She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Skyler D. Sarkisian; Dylan M. Sarkisian; Sydney E. Sarkisian; Allison P. Sarkisian; Samuel M. Sarkisian; Andrew M.R. Milner; and Zachary P.S. Milner. She is also survived by her two sisters: Lucia “Lucy” Hazerjian of Falmouth, and Sunny Margosian of Swampscott. Elsie also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, dear friends and neighbors.

Elsie grew up in Methuen, Massachusetts and graduated from Tenney High School in 1958. She earned her associate degree and was employed by Avco Corporation and Northeastern University, where she served in administrative roles.

After marrying Sarkis in 1962, they resided in Dorchester until moving to Natick, where Elsie and Sarkis raised their children. Members of The First Congregational Church of Natick, Elsie taught Sunday School and volunteered, working on many church initiatives.

Raising four children in Natick, Elsie became very active in her community. She was a member of the PTO for Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School and a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts.

Her boys played many sports, including football, basketball, and baseball.  As their #1 fan, she could be heard screaming in the bleachers – cheering on her boys.  She volunteered for Natick Youth Football (Pop Warner) and initiated Friday Night dinners for the Natick varsity football team. Elsie also became co-chair of the Doug Flutie Day Parade in 1985 and named the street connecting Speen Street and Mall Road “Flutie Pass.” 

At home she loved to cook, bake and garden. Nothing made her happier than having her family around the dinner table enjoying a home-cooked meal. As football was her favorite sport, Sundays were spent praying at church then watching the New England Patriots, hoping her prayers would be answered.

Elsie was a longtime member of the Natick Women’s Club, including service on the Board of Directors. She will be remembered for her tireless work for over three decades as Chair of the Scholarship Committee which awards scholarships to Natick High School seniors. She often hosted scholarship recipients at her home and stayed in touch with many award winners long after they finished college.

Elsie was also Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, a charitable organization dedicated to projects that benefit the local community, and this past June she celebrated 50 years of service.

In 2001, Elsie and Sarkis joined a newly formed Armenian Church, Holy Translators, in Framingham. Actively supporting the forming of the Church, they became “Godparents” of the Church in a consecration ceremony in 2003. You could often find Elsie with Sarkis in the church kitchen baking Mahs (Holy Bread).

She loved Cape Cod, where her daughter has a summer home, and Nantucket, where her son lives. To escape the cold New England winters, she and Sarkis spent time in Bonita Springs, FL, and she had many good friends there.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elsie’s name may be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA 01702 or the Order of the Eastern Star, Aurora Chapter #9, 24 N. Main Street, Natick, MA 01760.

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