Obituary of Ossanna Sarkis Arakelian (nee Ouzounian)

September 19, 1927 – Beirut, Lebanon
June 11, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Ossanna Arakelian, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunty and friend passed away peacefully on June 11, 2021 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the age of 93. 

Ossanna was born in Beirut, Lebanon on September 19, 1927 to her loving parents, Sarkis and Elizabeth Ouzounian. She was one of five kids in the Ouzounian family. Ossanna married Nazar Arakelian in 1953 and together they raised their loving family. Ossanna’s commitment in life was to her husband and children as a caring wife and mother. She was active in the Catholic community and attended church services on a regular basis. In 1989, Ossanna immigrated to Canada with her son Arakel and his family in hopes of a better future. She enjoyed spending time with family, knitting, playing cards – her favourite was the game Basra which she often played with her grandchildren. Her signature dish was an Armenian potato salad which was enjoyed by many and you could always catch her eating a fudge popsicle for desert. Ossanna will be dearly missed by all that knew her.  

Ossanna is survived by her children, Khatoun (Arthur) Santurian, Armenouhie (Parsekh) Terzian, Avedis (Miriam) Arakelian, Loucin (Ohaness) Dishchekenian, Lena (Barkev) Awjian, and Arakel (Maggie) Arakelian; grandchildren, Maria Margarida Santurian, Vartivar (Andrea) Santurian, Sergio (Quitu) Santurian, Maria Lucia Arakelian, Nazar (Paula) Arakelian, Maro (Garo) Koukeian, Hovsep Terzian, Raffi (Sonig) Dishchekenian, Talar Dishchekenian, Sevag Dishchekenian, Christapor Awjian, Sarkis Awjian, Avedis Awjian, Nazar (Meghry) Arakelian, Osanna (Miki) Stojnic, and Maral (Graham) Dahl; and great-grandchildren, Isabelle Santurian, Renato Arakelian, Kevork Koukeian, Alin Koukeian, Hovig Dishchekenian, Lea Dishchekenian, and Easton Dahl. She was predeceased by her husband Nazar Arakelian and her child Hampartsoum (Khatoun) Arakelian.

Due to the global pandemic, we are limited to a capacity of 20 people for the funeral. We invite anyone who wants to pay their respects to Ossanna and the family to come and do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre St N, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, June 24, 2021, from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed on Ossanna’s obituary at www.mcinnisandholloway.com.

In living memory of Ossanna Arakelian, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.