In Memoriam: Roseanne Chebookjian
Watertown, MA - It’s hard to imagine an Armenian Youth Foundation without Roseanne Chebookjian. Yet that’s exactly what we face now that she has lost her courageous battle to endometrial cancer. Roseanne was a founding board member of the Armenian Youth Foundation and has served the organization continuously since 1975.
Named a National Honorary Member of the Armenian Youth Federation, Roseanne has always played an extremely visible role in the Armenian community on a local, regional and national level. Having joined the South Boston Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation in 1941, she went on to serve on the Central Executive and Central Athletic Council. Roseanne was active in the building of AYF Camp Haiastan in Franklin, MA and was a member of the original Camp Committee where she personally helped clear the campsite of trees for the initial construction.
Roseanne’s legacy lives on through her surviving family all of whom have been active contributors to the community as well. Her three children, Susan of Waltham, Richard of Media, PA and Sema Arakelian of Bedford, MA are all former Armenian Youth Federation members who have also served the community at many levels. Roseanne is also survived by her siblings, including Anahid Changelian; Roxie Sudjian, Mary Jelalian, and Stephen Karoghlanian, Jr. Her deceased Husband Shant served as Chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation Olympic Governing Body for many years and was named Olympic King at the 44th Annual Olympic Games in 1977. Roseanne’s grandchildren, Anoush and Armen Arakelian, were both Campers and Counselors at Camp Haiastan and remain active in the Armenian Youth Federation to this day.
Rosanne served with elegance, intellect and a sense of commitment that will be sorely missed by us all.