Helen Nazarian Pompeian
Wednesday, February 25, 1925
Date of Death:
Monday, December 17, 2012
Age:
87 years old
Wednesday, February 25, 1925
Date of Death:
Monday, December 17, 2012
Age:
87 years old
Wednesday, February 25, 1925
Date of Death:
Monday, December 17, 2012
Age:
87 years old
Helen Nazarian Pompeian
Helen Nazarian Pompeian passed away Monday, December 17, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 87.
She was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan and worked as a probate registrar of the Juvenile Court of Oakland County, Michigan. In 1945 she married Edward Pompeian. In 1972 she moved to Rochester, MN for her son to receive medical care at the Mayo Clinic, and a year later donated a kidney to him. She wrote about these tribulations in her book, Gifts of Love and Life. Helen dedicated her life to her family and was an advocate for bringing hope to other transplant patients and their families. For many years she worked as a secretary at her son’s real estate firm and later worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Gift of Life Transplant House. She was a member of the Armenian Cultural Organization of Minnesota and Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Helen was a beautiful woman full of courage, strength, and compassion. She enjoyed entertaining and cooking Armenian food, sharing life stories and experiences, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sisters Alice, May, and Isabelle. She is survived by her brothers Paul Nazarian and Richard Kirk, sister Janet(Edward) Mardigian, daughter Sharon(Michael) Maraian, son Edward(Jayne) Pompeian, and five grandchildren Paul(Arous) Maraian, Edward, Aaron, Nicholas, and Adrienne Pompeian and one great-granddaughter Araxi Helen Maraian.
A private family memorial service is going to be held and memorials are requested to be sent to the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, Minnesota. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Helen Nazarian Pompeian has received the following condolences.
Dear, Mr. Pompeian,
just heard about your irreplaceable loss :(
Please accept my sincere condolences.
I can imagine that no word can now comfort your aching heart.
But please belive that such a kind person as your Mom thereafter rests in the arms of the angeles.
Land down to her :(
I'm so sorry ...
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Helen. I took two Armenian TV journalists to visit the Gift of Life Transplant House in 2011. Helen was so gracious to my guests and it became the highlight of their two week trip to America. Helen gave the journalists copies of her book and the journalist later told me that the book was one of the most inspiring things she had ever read. I consider myself lucky to have met Helen, and can take solace that she is now in the hands of God. George A.Santulli. Washington, DC
Dearest Edward, Jayne & family,
I am saddened to know of Helen's passing. I have been in Colorado for several weeks and did not get the news until now.
I have wonderful memories of Helen. She loved her family so very much! I remember how she loved it when I did her makeup for her before a special event. We had great fun!
All the fun times on Second Street will always remain with me. Helen was a huge part of the fun!!
Goodbye to a dear and brave lady...may she rest in peace.
May your mourning be softened by Our Loving Lord.
Love,
Ruth Greier
My sincerest condolences to the Pompeian family on their loss. She was an incredible woman!
Jayne and Ed and family,
I was saddened to hear of Helen's death. She was a wonderful, generous, beautiful person, blessed with a strong faith that she lived every day. She will be missed by many. My prayers and thoughts are for you all.
Sincerely,
Mark Bauman
We are so sorry for your loss. Helen was a neat lady and I'm so glad we got to see her in September.
--Vonnie (Wiersbeck) Schwab and family
Our sincere sympathy goes out to your family. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, may it give you peace and comfort.
Marcus and Corrine
Dear Family and Friends of Helen,
I am sorry for your loss of one the most compassionate, kind and dearest ladies I was so fortunate to have known. I was one of her hairdressers over the years and always looked forward to her next appointment.
I admired her undying energy and dedication to help others. We cried and laughed together, many times ............ shared so many stories about her life in Chicago, and why she moved to Rochester. But most of all, sharing her deepest feelings and involvement with getting Ed the best care in the world, of course at Mayo Clinic.
Her book. Putting her feelings in writing and finding the strength. All with such a positive attitude.
Many times after lengthy conversations she would say she was sorry for taking up my time. I hope she knew how she inspired me in my life's journey. She gave me more than words can say.
Blessings to all of you and may God give you peace and wonderful memories over the coming days.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Fossum
To Helen's Family,
What an honor to meet her and talk to her, just one time. What a special lady she was. My sympathies to the family. She will be missed by many...
Where to begin! As many could attest to, so many happy memories are centered around Helen. I am so thankful to have met Helen 10 years ago, when I started at Gift of Life Transplant House. She was a woman with a heart so big, always giving of herself, asking nothing in return. She was a friend, confidant, and mentor to myself and so many others. She was a staple at GOL, greeting so many with a smile and laugh. Coffee "Hour" was an ongoing event for Helen and guests, always laughter to be heard coming from the dining room. I can only imagine she has joined so many of her friends and family and will be sipping a cup of coffee telling stories. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will always hold a special place in my heart.
Alison
We send our heartfelt sympathy to Ed, Jayne and family. Helen was always a tremedous inspiration to us with her immdediate smile, warm personal touch along with the strengh God gave her to do so much during her life here on earth. You will always miss her presence in your life, but you will have the memories of her love in your heart forever. God Bless you.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. It was a privilege knowing Helen - her warmth, spirit and smile touched us both.
I remember meeting Helen when I was at the house a few times working on the website. She was such a delightful person and always had a smile. I'm so glad she got to see the opening of the 2nd GOLTH. She will be missed by many people.
-- Julie (Culver) Bleimeyer
Paul,
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Kathryn
I'm very sorry for your loss. I loved Helen. She was very Special to me too! Bless your hearts.
I enjoyed the many wonderful conversations that I had with Helen. She will be missed by everyone that knew her.
Beauty + Kindness + Humor + Wisdom + Grace + Love = Helen
I could go on and on. Thank you Helen for all you have taught me.
Love,
Mary Frances
So sorry for your loss. I will miss her. It was always fun delivering groceries to Helen from Hy-Vee. And there was always a story about one of her family members and I even bought her book. She was so proud of the people she had met over the years and especially her family.
John
Ed, Jayne & Family
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. She will live on in you hearts forever. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers!
Love and Blessings;
Jodie Bosma
I came to know Helen while working at the gift of life homes in Rochester. She always loved to sit and greet people ,talk and get to know each family personally. That was her favorite thing to do. She alway's had a warm smile for everyone and went out of her way to help out. I was fortunate to be her handyman around her home for many years. She always liked everything just perfect, and her home was always so neat and clean. She will be missed by many including me. One funny story I have, Last year I was doing some work for her and we were talking and she said gosh I could use a new purse, So i loaded her in my car and took her out to macys at the mall. I got her a shopping cart to help her walk and we made it in the store. right away she went to the sales counter to look at the new purses, of course they were all expencive coach ones ,,She say's I want a black one big enough to hold all my things. when the lady said the price I about fell over, But Helen said this purse will last me for years and Its just what I wanted. I wont have to buy another one again. Im glad we had that moment together. My thoughts are with you and your family. Mark Behrens
My prayers and sympathy at this time of Helen's passing. I feel privileged to have met her, and am so-o-o grateful for her role here in Rochester for the Gift of Life Transplant House, and her friendship and support of the Sisters of St. Francis on staff there. Peace and all that is Good, Sister Ramona