Tufenkian Preschool in Honor of Anahid {Or. Ano}

Very sadly, Anahid (Or. Ano) Avanessian passed away in the evening of Monday, February 25. Our beloved Or. Ano was the shining example of the most dedicated and committed community service provider. She spent over 30 years of her life at Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten in a capacity that doesn’t fit a singular title. She began her career at our school in October of 1985 as an administrative assistant. However, with the passing of each academic year, her role grew and she became a valuable member of the school family.  She oversaw the school’s daily financial activities; she coordinated parent relations; and, she became an indispensable partner for the school director.  Her proficiency and outstanding command of the Armenian language made her our translator.  She also had many informal responsibilities. In reality, she took care of the school and everyone who entered through its gates; she provided care for those students not feeling well; she tended to the faculty; she was also the “sticker lady” and as such students visited her very often; she was the loving and nurturing liaison to the young PSC moms; and, she was a sounding board for the school director.

Or. Ano joined the loving faculty and staff at the school’s infancy. Along with our long-tenured teachers, she had been the thread of continuity in the school’s successful history.  She was an integral part of a team that has nurtured and educated over 2,000 students. It isn’t surprising at all that she remembered most, if not all, of the past students by name and continued to hold a deep love for them.

We share a deep sadness and the emptiness with the Avanessian and our school family for having a larger-than-life member of our family gone.  Or. Ano retired after many years of service and the school administration was in the midst of planning an evening to celebrate her career.  We did not fathom that we would be mourning her life rather than celebrating the immense impact she had on the entire school community.

Initially as a parent, then as an assistant and later as an administrator, Tufenkian truly became Or. Ano’s second home and the people she worked with were close family.  At the request of the Avanessian Family, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Mary’s Richard Tufenkian Preschool & Kindergarten, 1200 Carlton Drive, Glendale, CA 91205.