DR. ARSINE OSHAGAN (April 1, 1942-April 28, 2022)
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, and the Religious and Lay Councils have learned with sorrow of the passing of Dr. Arsine Oshagan, beloved educator, management consultant, and Armenian community leader. Dr. Oshagan passed away on April 28, 2022, after valiantly fighting cancer.
Dr. Oshagan was a prominent figure in the Armenian community of Philadelphia and engaged in organizations and efforts at the local, national and international level. Her life was dedicated to enhancing the educational and cultural heritage of Armenians around the globe. She and her late husband, Dr. Vahe Oshagan, a remarkable poet and intellectual of the Diaspora, traveled the world supporting cultural, literary, religious and national endeavors, including the Pillars of the Esstern Prelacy.
Dr. Oshagan directed academic programs in three Armenian schools, including the Arshag and Sophie Galstaun School of Hamazkayin (Sydney, Australia); Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School (San Francisco), and the Armenian Sisters Academy (Radnor, PA). She recently completed a twenty-one-year career in business management consulting with Gap International (Delaware County, PA) where she was appointed as a Vice-President, specializing in research and development and promoting business and individual transformation.
Dr. Oshagan received her education in the field of mathematics at Mount Holyoke College (A.B. with distinction and with honor), University of California, Los Angeles (M.A.) and University of Connecticut (Ph.D.). Her honors include Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Mu Epsilon (mathematics). During her student years, she took a year and learned Armenian at the Palandjian Jemaran of Hamazkayin (Beirut).
Born Arsine Rustigian to Jacob (Hagop) and Stella Sachaklian Rustigian, she was raised in Hartford, CT, where she was a member of St Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, where she also served as Sunday School Director, and a graduate of the Loomis Chaffee School.
Dr. Arsine Oshagan was an ardent contributor to the Philadelphia Armenian community. She served on the Board of Trustees of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, including being a delegate to the National Representative Assembly, sang in the church choir, and dedicated over twenty years teaching Armenian to adults to link them to their mother tongue.
In so many ways, Arsine Oshagan is an irreplaceable force in her beloved Philadelphia Armenian community, and every other circle of her life, be it family, friends, students and colleagues.
She is survived by her brother, Lt Col George Rustigian (USAF-Ret) and his wife Barbara; her sister, Jackie Rustigian, and their families, Dale and Crystal Rustigian and children, Michael Rustigian, and Loriann Rustigian, and child; stepsons Dr. Hayg Oshagan and wife Georgi-Ann, and Ara Oshagan and wife Anahid, and their families, Alidz and Philip Nigon and children, Ashod Oshagan, Sebouh Oshagan, Adom Oshagan, Aren Oshagan, and Shahan Oshagan.
A funeral service will be held for Dr. Oshagan at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church on Wednesday, May 11, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and funeral service at 11:00 a.m., presided by Archbishop Anooushavan and followed by burial and a luncheon.
Contributions in memory of Dr. Arsine Oshagan may be made to St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church or the Armenian Sisters Academy.
The Prelate and the Religious and Lay Councils extend their condolences to Dr. Oshagan’s family members and loved ones. May God illuminate her soul.