Grace Varsenig Saxenian

Grace Varsenig Saxenian July 25, 1927 - April 25, 2012 Grace Varsenig Saxenian of Waco passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Providence Hospital. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit with Father John Wells officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Grace was born July 25, 1927 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Paul and Elizabeth Heroian. Upon graduating from South High School in Worcester, she worked in her father's corner store and attended Worcester Business Science College, where she earned an associate's degree. She stayed in Worcester and worked as an officer manager of a women's clothing store and then was employed by State Mutual Insurance Company. She met her husband, Diran Dick Saxenian, on Labor Day weekend in the fall of 1959 at an Armenian Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. After their marriage in February of 1960, Grace joined Dick in Waco, where he was in partnership with Fain Johnson as owners of Oriental Rug Company. Grace was active in the community and in the lives of her family. She and Dick treasured their three daughters, who all are educators. During their childhood, Grace was involved in all aspects of their lives, including Campfire leader; PTA President for Hillcrest Elementary, J.H. Hines, and Lake Air Junior High; and devoted "scorekeeper" at hundreds of softball games at Lake Air Little League. She and her husband were founding members of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, where she served on the Alter Guild. Grace was a member of the Waco Historic Foundation and secretary of the Waco Public Schools Alumni Association. Upon her girls entering college, she worked part-time as a sales associate for Dillard's Department Store. She and her husband also enjoyed traveling and playing cards together at Ridgewood Country Club. After Dick's battle with cancer came to an end in 1995, Grace spent the past 17 years attending a multitude of activities in which her grandchildren were involved. She was an avid Bridge player and enjoyed shopping every chance she had. She also served as a volunteer at the Providence Hospital gift shop for more than a decade. Grace loved and treasured her many friendships. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Sharkey Hightaian. She is survived by her three daughters, Lisa Marie Saxenian of Waco, Dr. Carol Ann Saxenian of San Antonio, and Paula Saxenian Miller and husband, Trey, of Waco; brother, Ara Paul Heroian and wife, Janet, of Worcester, Massachusetts; sister-in-law, Christine Saxenian; brother- and sister-in-law, Karl and Angel Gozigian, precious nieces and nephews, and cherished close friends. The greatest loves of her life were her grandchildren, Allen Reynolds Miller, IV and Haley Grace Miller. Pallbearers will be Darrell Adams, Ralph Adams, Pierce Johnson, Ernest Khoury, Allen R. Miller, Jr., James Saxenian, Steve Saxenian, Jr., Tom Saxenian, Gary Vogel, and Weldon Walker. Honorary pallbearer will be Gary Saxenian. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Dr. Jeff Young, Dr. Ed Carpenter, Dr. Bryan Hanysak, Dr. Karl Chakmakjian, as well as Holley and Mark Walsh of Bluebonnet Healthcare and Hospice. Memorials may be made to Waco ISD Education Foundation, P.O. Box 2369, Waco, TX, 76703, and Community Cancer Association. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey