AMHERST, NH – A. Marion “Mimi” Manoogian, 89, resident of Buckridge Drive, Amherst NH, died March 17, 2012 at the home she lovingly created with her family for over 42 years.

She was born in Providence, RI on December 11, 1922, the daughter of Armen and Marie Garoian. She attended Henry Bernard School, a progressive private school and graduated from Hope High School as a member of the National Honor Society. Her love of learning continued and she took classes in every community she lived including Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, University of Hartford, and Johnson & Wales. She also was a graduate of Red Cross Nurses’ Aide program and volunteered in local hospitals as well as Camp Edwards, MA when injured troops were returning to the US during World War II. She was involved in local libraries and started a reading program for children in Doylestown, PA and Huntington, NY. During her time in Doylestown, she was a member of Pearl S. Buck’s East/West Society. She had been a member of the Armenian Congregational Churches in RI and NH. Her commitment to volunteering continued during her move to NH where she was part of the original group that started the Amherst Garden Club and eventual charter member; she started the docent program at The Currier Museum of Art; was active in the Amherst Women’s Republican Club; and the NH Women’s Lobby where she received recognition for her volunteer hours. Finally, she worked for several years with a group that started the Association for the Handicapped, later named the Souhegan Valley Resources where upon her retirement in 2004, she received a commendation from then Senator Judd Gregg.

Marion was a voracious reader, watercolorist, avid cook and gardener. She baked the best chorag. She claims that she was not so ardent a golfer or bridge player but her opponents will disagree. She seized opportunities to travel abroad given her love of the arts, meeting new people and learning about different cultures. She was an active supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s grade school and sporting events. Her premise to “treat your family like guests and guests like family” was evident in the number of people who stayed at her home and that her children and grandchildren cherished their visits.

Marion was predeceased by her husband, Henry Manoogian, her dancing partner through love and life.

Family members include her son and daughter-in-law, Gary & Cynthia Manoogian of Amherst; five daughters and two sons-in-law; Candice and David Arleo of Northport, NY, Debra Manoogian of Los Angeles, CA, Holly Manoogian of Brookfield, NH, Wendy and Jules Brayman of Amherst, NH and MaryAnn Manoogian of Concord, NH; nine grandchildren, Peter Arleo, Sarah Gosselin, Alex Manoogian, Tyler Manoogian, Leah Brayman, Rachel Brayman, Melanie Brayman, Jackson Brayman, Mikael Manoogian; two great-grandchildren, Emily and Evan Gosselin; a sister, Queenie Holmberg of Canton, MA and a sister-in-law, Agnes David of Burlington, MA; two nieces and two nephews.

Memorial visiting hours are Friday, March 23rd from 4-7 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford NH. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 24th at 11:00 am in the Amherst Congregational Church, 11 Church Street, Amherst. Donations in her memory may be made to Opportunity Networks, Inc., 11 Caldwell Drive, Suite 7, Amherst, NH 03031. (formerly called Soughegan Valley Resources). Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.