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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Naomi
Zeytoonian
November 2, 1934 – August 3, 2023
Obituary
In 1956, she co-chaired the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) convention in Washington, D.C. where she met the love of her life, Carnig (Carl) Leon Zeytoonian. They married the following year at St. James Armenian Church in Watertown, MA, raised 3 children and operated several pharmacies in Watertown and later in Coral Springs, Florida.
She was an avid member of women's clubs: Zonta International, AIWA (Armenian International Women's Association) where she was awarded "Woman of the Year" in 1993, ACYOA, Daughters of Vartan and the Union of Marash Armenians (UMA). She was a charter member of the Ft. Lauderdale Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and a founding member of the St. Mary Armenian Church in Washington D.C. and the St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton, FL, where she also served on the Parish Council and helped organize the parish women's guilds. Naomi was a charter member of the Daughters of Vartan Siranoush Otyag in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and since her move to Racine in 2009, she has been a member of Hripsime Otyag in Milwaukee.
Naomi was the CEO of USA Temps in Ft. Lauderdale. Active in civic life, she was the founder of the "Our Town International Food Festival" bringing ethnic groups and their cultures together under one huge tent every year. She was also dedicated to the local Kids 'n Us program and received several awards for her community involvement. She supported Carl's public service as Vice Mayor and commissioner of Coral Springs; she served on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Coral Springs. Later in life in Racine, Wisconsin, where she made her home in 2009, Naomi worked for Walmart as a cashier and for the Racine County Clerk of Courts until the age of 83.
She is a published author, member of the Metro-Dade media, and was a freelance reporter for the Armenian Mirror-Spectator for over fifty years writing her "Dolphin Country" column. She traveled extensively with her husband and assisted him on his trips to Armenia bringing wheelchairs for the Wheelchair Foundation of America.
She is predeceased by her loving husband, Carnig (Carl) Zeytoonian, brothers Capt. Edward Basdekian and Haig Basdekian. She is survived by a sister, Mary Bagdasarian, brothers in law Nerses Zeytoonian and Joe Zeytoonian. She was a loving mother to her 3 children and their spouses, Michael and Lisa Zeytoonian, Meline and Avak Grigorian, Armen and Mary Zeytoonian and daughter in law Rhona Zeytoonian; grandmother to Justin and Nicole Zeytoonian, Noelle and Antonio Lepore, Ani and Zach Kornick, Caitlin and John Hall, Alina Grigorian and Tom Hastreiter, Anoush Grigorian and David Barreto and Molly Zeytoonian; great grandchildren Tyler and Deacon Zeytoonian, Callie and Madelene Lepore and Leonardo Barreto.
A funeral service will be held at St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Racine, Wisconsin with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. Mesrob Armenian Church or to the Daughters of Vartan.
Services
Visitation
St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church
9:30 - 10:00 am
Funeral Service
St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church
Starts at 10:00 am
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