Joyce Z. (Mooradian) Yeremian

84, passed away November 26, 2025. Born in Providence to Parsegh and Nartig Mooradian. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert H. Yeremian. She is survived by her loving sons Robert and Gregory, her sister Mariam Norigian, her niece Roxanne Hasmig Phillips and her husband Mark, her great niece Alysha Melkoun and her husband Antuan, her great great niece Abigail Melkoun, her great nephew Tyler Phillips, her nephew Mark “Bunky” Norigian and his wife Melissa, her great nephew Ryder Norigian, her nephew Paul DerAnanian and his wife Carolyn, her great nephew Paul DerAnanian Jr., her great niece Nicole DerAnanian along with many loving family members and friends.

Joyce’s father Parsegh was a genocide survivor who came to America in 1919 and her parents were the first married couple in Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church on March 31, 1940. Her mother’s father, Hagopos Ayvazian was a famous musicologist and teacher at the Armash Vank in Turkey, who was taken away in 1915 and killed. Joyce was extremely proud of her Armenian heritage and was active in the Armenian Church her whole life. She joined the choir and AYF at 13 and sang on and off in the choir for 58 years. She was a member of the Armenian Chorale in the 1960’s and 70’s under Rouben Gregorian directing. Then from 1990-2010 she was a member of the Armenian Chorale with Konstantin Petrossian directing.

She was an active member of the AYF, the ARS “Ani” Chapter as chairlady for many years and also serving as chair of the ARS Social Services Committee for over 20 years. With the ARS, she planned monthly bus trips for the seniors for 15 years. Also from 2005-2010, each year with donations from the community, she prepared hundreds of boxes in her garage to be sent to Armenia with airlifts donated by Kirk Krikorian in CA. Over $110,000 of goods were sent. Through the church and the ARS, she started working with families in 1973 from the Middle East and then again in the 1980’s and 90’s with families from Armenia and Baku helping 45 families. Until her death, she did what she could do to help families in need.

Her involvement with Sts. Vartanantz Church was long. She served as a NRA delegate, served on the Armenian Fest Committee as one of the coordinators for almost 20 years, has refurbished the dining hall twice, and the library. She served on many committees such as the steering committee and the endowment committee for the church and as needed for other functions.

Other organizations she has volunteered for are: Co-Chairman of the Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of RI, Govdoon Youth of America, Armenian Historical Association of RI, and ASA. Joyce, along with her husband Robert, was instrumental in organizing the bazaar at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church for many years.

In 1992, Der Vartan Kassabian was ordained and moved to Granite City. Joyce became the caretaker for his mother Rose and sister Roxanne for 14 years until he moved back to the East coast.

She was trained as a Medical Laboratory Technician at Lying-In-Hospital and worked there for 8 years followed by working and retiring from the Providence VA Hospital after 26 years.

Her loving, generous spirit was touched by all who knew her and will live on for generations.

Family and friends are invited to visitation Thursday, December 4 from 9:00 to 11:00 with a funeral service at 11:00 at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence followed by burial at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Vartanantz Church, 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 or ARS “Ani” Chapter c/o Sts. Vartanantz Church. 

Visit NardolilloFH.com for online condolences.