Margaret Stepanian, Rhode Island Armenian Leader, Dies at 86
In memory of Margaret Stepanian
Margaret Stepanian, a prominent figure in the Rhode Island Armenian community, died September 23 at age 86. Born to genocide survivors Harry D. and Clara Harootunian Stepanian, she devoted much of her life to Armenian cultural and religious organizations.
Stepanian worked 45 years as an assistant court secretary at Rhode Island Family Court before retiring in 2008. She was a lifelong member of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Providence, where she sang in the choir for over 75 years and served as board chairwoman.
She held leadership positions in the Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and other community organizations. In 2023, she received the ARS Lifetime Achievement Award. Stepanian was also notable for her participation in AYF Olympics, ranking among the highest-scoring female competitors in the organization's history. She is survived by eight nieces and nephews.
