Virginia Sarkisian

Virginia Sarkisian, age 91 of Grosse Ile, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2025 surrounded by her family.

Survived by her loving family: Edward Sarkisian, Steve Sarkisian, Dianne Sarkisian, Anne Chilton, John Sarkisian, and Alexander Chilton.

Virginia was a first-generation Armenian American who grew up on Green Street in the city of Detroit. She was a 1951 graduate of Detroit Western High School and thereafter attended Eastern Michigan University. She and Edward married in 1958 and then moved to Allen Park. She lived there from 1962 until 1978, and then resided in the township of Grosse Ile until her passing.

Early in her life, she met her future husband (Edward) when they were in middle school. The attraction was mutual and instantaneous. They lived nearby each other and would frequently see one another. Soon, their relationship quickly built up into a strong and inseparable bond. As kids, they would walk to school together, go to the movies, play tennis, and along the way they formed many mutual friendships with the other kids in the neighborhood. As adults, the quality of building relationships with different groups of people was a hallmark of their marriage.

As a married woman, Virginia was a tireless worker. Early on in her union with Eddie she was a homemaker and spent the bulk of her time raising her four children. She grew up in a generation when it was customary to have multiple kids. However, as her kids grew independent, she wanted more. Like many women of her era, she had the drive, determination, and energy to be more than a stay-at-home Mom. For Virginia, attending night school to further her education was the solution. She then used her education to help other people, and for many years she taught in Downriver at Detroit Business Institute. While there, her objective was helping people sharpen their administrative skills, build their resume, and then place them into paying jobs.

Virginia lived a very full and productive existence. As a child, she exceled in school activities, athletics, and making new friends. As an educator, she helped her students get ahead by teaching them skills that would turn into a career and change their lives. As a parent, she did everything she could for the benefit of her kids and taught them their most impactful lessons in leading by example. The love for her children will last into eternity. As a wife, she and Eddie succeeded in a long-lasting loving marriage and enjoyed everything life had to offer.

Most of all, Virginia always maintained a good-natured inner spirit. At heart, she was very gracious, genuine, unpretentious, and selfless. She enjoyed being part of the group and laughing at everyone’s jokes. While her death is unfortunate, it represents an evolutionary reality of life that good people are required to make this world livable. Growing old with the person that you love is one of life’s greatest challenges. Virginia Sarkisian is one of many to have done just that, and she will forever be remembered for her kind and gentle soul.