SAVEY TUFENKIAN
April 11, 1929- August 25, 2021
Savey “Shoushig” Tufenkian, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother passed away on August 25 at home in Glendale. She was born in Garadagh, Iran to Vagharshak and Verjin Shirvanian, both survivors of the genocide.
She received her High School education in Beit Mery, Lebanon and received a scholarship to attend American International College in Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1954. Savey and her younger brother Kosti moved to California in 1955. Together they founded Western Disposal Company – later known as Western Waste Industries.
She married Ralph Tufenkian of Los Angeles in 1956. Savey was a kind and generous person who was eager to help her community, local and abroad. After the tragic loss of her son Richard in 1990, Savey and Ralph established the Richard Tufenkian Pre-School which has remained closest to her heart until the end.
In addition to the Pre-School, she has played a major role in the founding and continuation of many Armenian organizations such as Armenian International Women Association, AMAA Orphan and Child Care, USC Institute of Armenian Study, and many many more.
Words cannot express the void left in the lives of those who loved her. Savey is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ralph Tufenkian, son Greg and Caroline Tufenkian, and daughter Sandra and Paul Kalemkiarian. She is cherished by her grandchildren Sara, Lisa, and Lena and their spouses, and Sam, Michael, and Max Tufenkian. She was also blessed with three great grandchildren Micah, Ani, and Ambrose.
She will be missed by her brother Kosti and Marian Shirvanian, many nieces and nephews and extended families.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the United Armenian Congregational Church UACC, 3480 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to St. Mary’s Richard Tufenkian Pre-School or Adventist Health Breast Center.
Savey was the one of the best of her generation. Perhaps of any generation.