Tribute: Sosy Kadian Danced to Her Own Beat

“We often believe that miracles occurred only in olden times — that they don’t really happen in this day and age,” she said. “And yet, isn’t it a miracle that we are gathering here today, a group of Armenians, in a building where the Armenian flag is raised beside the American flag, sitting here at a lecture presentation in the Armenian language?

“We are living in an age of miracles. We see them all around us. But because there is a disconnect among us, because we are constantly rushing and seeking immediate gratification, we do not always notice these miracles,” she resumed.

Sosy was enamored by Kasbarian’s book, Armenia: A Rugged Land, an Enduring People and got to applaud both the author and her work that day in 1998.

One cannot think about Sosy without fondly recalling her husband Hagop, who died in 1994. They formed a dance partnership throughout their married lives.

“Everyone who knew Sosy, even in merely a casual way, was saddened to hear the news,” said Mark Gavoor, a close family friend. “She was part of that great American generation but in a very American-Armenian way. She carried that noble spirit of her land, the yergir, and its people in her heart and soul. Sosy created a new Armenia in everything she did. Her Armenia was an inspiration to countless Armenians.”

Musician Ara Topouzian couldn’t say enough about the impact she had upon his career and life in general, despite the age difference. Sosy put him on stage to play tambourine in a presentation at Atlantic City and took an immediate shine to Armenian music.

The other musicians he stood with were the second-generation Vosbikians. Topouzian was merely 9 at the time and matured into a prominent musicologist and recording artist in Detroit.

“Deegeen Sosy, preserved and passed along Armenian cultural traditions,” he said. “It was important that she exposed younger generations to our rich heritage.  She sang, danced, wrote and read poetry. She played music.”

Sosy Krikorian leaves her children Raffi Kadian and Nvair Beylerian; her son-in-law Zareh, her four grandchildren Adi, Raffi Jr., Tamar and Lucine, as well as three great-grandchildren.

She was a career educator in the Fort Lee Public Schools, and a uniquely prominent keeper of the Armenian tradition, through her endless dedication to writing and performing, and teaching song, language and dance to so many generations.

May her powerful spirit shine.