Martha A. (Ahlijian) Kevorkian

of East Greenwich, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family.  She was the beloved wife of the late Zenas J. Kevorkian.  Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Efdig (Vasilian) Ahlijian.

She was the devoted mother of John A. Kevorkian and his wife Heidi and Esther R. Kalajian and her husband Kenneth, all of East Greenwich; loving grandmother of Charles Zenas Kalajian, John Kenneth Kalajian and Alexander George Kalajian; cherished aunt of Harold Joovelegian and his wife Francine and the late K. George Joovelegian and his wife Karen; and dear sister of the late Krikor A. Ahlijian, Rose Joovelegian and Sarkis Ahlijian.

Martha graduated Classical High School, 1935, summa cum laude and Pembroke College in Brown University, 1939, magna cum laude with Final Highest Honors in German, Pembroke Scholar, Elisha Benjamin Andrews Scholar and Phi Beta Kappa distinction. She was included in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1938-1939.” At this point in her life Martha decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and begin her teaching career, however her outstanding academic record from Pembroke College resulted in a Trustee Fellowship for the academic year 1939-1940 from Smith College where she earned a MA in German. Because of her experience with languages, she was called to Washington, DC during World War II to work in the Signal Corps United States War Department. Her teaching career spanned from 1944 to 1984 and included Warren High School, Cranston High School, University of Rhode Island and Classical High School. Martha was also a member of many philanthropic and religious organizations.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service on Wednesday, March 1st at 11:00 a.m. in the Armenian Evangelical Church, Cranston, followed by burial at North Burial Ground, Providence. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Armenian Evangelical Church, 180 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, RI 02920.