BARBARA LOUISE BALJIAN (January 24, 1944 – October 25, 2025)
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, and the Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy have learned with sorrow of the passing of Barbara Louise Baljian of Dedham, formerly of Watertown and Worcester, who passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025. Beloved daughter of the late Vahe and Rose (Rustigian) Baljian, she was the devoted sister of Reverend Archpriest Antranig Baljian and his wife Yn. Cheryl.
Barbara had a long career in education, holding a Master of Education and a Master of Arts in School Counseling. She worked as a music teacher, as a school guidance counselor, and briefly as principal of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School in Queens, New York. She also served in multiple administrative positions within the Catholic Diocese of Worcester and Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Worcester.
Barbara was devoted to the Armenian Church, having served at the parish and Prelacy level throughout her life as a church organist, Sunday School director, Board of Trustees member, delegate to the National Representative Assembly, and member of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). She was an active member of the Daughters of Vartan, including having served as Dirouhie of the Santoukht Otyag.
She was the beloved aunt of Nayiri Baljian and her husband James Bell of Weston, MA, and Reverend Father Stephan Baljian and Yeretsgin Alice of North Andover, MA; great aunt of Avedis, Zaven, and Dalita Bell, and Nishan, Hovhaness, and Mariam Baljian; and cousin to her extended Rustigian and Karaguesian families.
The funeral service will be held in St. Stephen’s Armenian Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, on Friday, October 31 at 12:00 noon. Visiting hours will be held in church on Friday morning from 11:00–12:00. The burial will be held on Monday, November 3, at 11:00 am at Hope Cemetery in Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston or Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Worcester.
Աստուած հոգին լուսաւորէ. May God illuminate her soul.