Elise B. Thurber

Elise Boloyan Thurber was born on December 22, 1931 in Gardanne, France to the late Kazar and Haiganoush Boloyan. She was one of five siblings, her three brothers, all pre-deceased, Vartan, Michel, and Jacques and one sister who is the last surviving sibling, Louise Janigian. She was the wife of the late Walter Thurber, for 62 years. 

As a young woman, Elise studied Nursing and graduated from university in Arles, France. At just 24, she came to the United States and settled in Rhode Island. Once here, Elise became a member of the congregation of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Providence (now Cranston) and began her lifelong career as a Nurse.

While she was working at Cranston General Hospital, Walter was working as a patrolman in the area surrounding the hospital and stopped in for the air-conditioning on a particularly hot day. On that day, a fellow nurse took this opportunity to set them up. Walter and Elise wed on November 8, 1959 and welcomed their first child, Paul in 1961. A few years later the couple purchased their forever home and welcomed their second child, Monique in 1964.

Elise was the true matriarch of the family. She loved being with friends and family, but her most cherished times were when she was spending time with her grandchildren, Bryan, Justin, Andrew and Madison. Besides her sister, two children, and four grandchildren, Elise leaves behind her sister-in-law Araxie, son in-law Bob, daughter-in-law Chris DiFazio, two nieces, Lynn and Liz, and three nephews, Rob, Marc, and Carl. 

Visiting hours are Monday, July 26th in the Armenian Evangelical Church, Cranston from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m., followed by burial at RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.

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

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