Obituary of Virginia Apelian

Virginia Apelian (nee Matosian) passed away on Sept.11th at her Parsippany, NJ home. She was 89.

Born in Turkey, she immigrated to the United States as a young girl, settling in Paterson, NJ. She later raised her own family in Clark, NJ, and subsequently lived in Manchester Township before moving to Parsippany in 2007.

Mrs. Apelian earned a BA in psychology from Douglass College at Rutgers University in 1975 while raising a family of four children with her husband. An active member of her community, she often volunteered her gifts for the benefit of others, including holding public office as president of the Town Council in Clark, NJ. Her various other employments included her role as executive assistant for NJ Assemblyman William J. MacGuire, assertiveness training counselor, and teacher. Virginia actively served various causes that were important to her and her deeply held Christian faith, including a personal mission to Armenia to advocate for women who were victims of domestic abuse.

Her life was a joyous adventure, in which to paint, sing, spend hours tending her flower garden, and enjoy her family. In her later years, Mrs. Apelian authored several books, including a memoir of her experience as an Armenian immigrant to America called "Musa Dagh Girl: Daughter of Armenian Genocide Survivors," a self-improvement book called "Truly Beautiful Inside and Out," and a charming children's book titled "Aliens Celebrating Christmas."

Virginia is survived by her beloved husband of over 65 years, Henry M. Apelian; four loving children, Arminee Curran and her husband, Timothy of Colonia, NJ, Gregory Apelian of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, David Apelian and his wife, Heidi of Denville, NJ, and Christopher Apelian and his wife, Paula of Madison, NJ; ten grandchildren ; and three great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Alice White and was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Matosian, and her sisters Rosemary Habeshian, and Alice Matosian.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Saturday, Sept. 14th, 10:30am-12:30pm at SJ Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha (Parsippany), NJ. The Funeral Service will be celebtrated at 1:00pm in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Rockaway Valley Cemetery, in Boonton Township, NJ. Flowers will be graciously accepted as Virginia loved them. However, for those who prefer, memorial gifts can be made to the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus NJ [ Giving - Armenian Presbyterian Church (apcparamus.com) ] in her memory.