Anahid "Ann" (Hajian) Kibarian

Anahid “Ann” (Hajian) Kibarian, of Newport, RI, passed away on July 30, 2026 following a brief illness. She was 99 and died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. 

Ann was born on June 2, 1927, in Providence, Rhode Island to Kevork and Esgouhi  (Mahtesian) Hajian, both survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Ann graduated from Classical High School in 1945, earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Rhode Island College in 1949 and a master’s degree in education from Boston University in 1954. She married Hovhanes "Joe" Kibarian in 1959 and they settled in Warwick. She complemented Joe’s creativity, expressiveness, and adventurous spirit with her discipline, selflessness, and sense of purpose. Together they had three children and prioritized them above all else. Ann showered them with love, taught them morals, emphasized the importance of education, and encouraged them to always do their best. And when she became a grandmother, she gave the same love, attention and care to her three grandchildren. She described raising her children to be the greatest privilege of her life, and her grandchildren to be her reward from God. 

Ann devoted herself to being a teacher. After college, she spent a decade as a first grade teacher at the Henry Barnard School in Providence, under the leadership of her mentor, Dr. Mary Thorpe. She stepped away from teaching when her first child was born in 1960, and then returned to teaching in Warwick in 1972, first as a substitute teacher and ultimately as a reading specialist, retiring in 1990. During and after her teaching career, she applied the skills honed in the American school system to the schools of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Providence, the church her father helped found in 1940. She started as a Sunday School teacher there in 1946, became Director of the Sunday School in 1972 and Co-Director of the Mourad  Armenian School in 1990. She taught Christian values and Armenian history, language and culture to virtually every generation of the church congregation. When she retired in 2019, she was recognized by the Catholicos of the Armenian Church for her near 75- year contribution to the community. 

Ann was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She could engage thoughtfully on almost any topic and was always eager to learn something new. She took a genuine interest in everyone she met, regardless of background, offering encouragement and thoughtful advice. She had an extraordinary memory for people, remembering former students, colleagues, and acquaintances throughout her life, and they remembered her with great affection as a favorite teacher, mentor, and even second mother. People marveled at how she never changed - her sharp mind, warm smile, twinkling eyes, and unmistakable schoolteacher presence remained constants throughout her life. 

In their later years, Ann and Joe spent much of their time in California at their son John’s home, where they enjoyed countless meals and celebrations with their children and grandchildren. As they faced the challenges of aging, Ann used her positive attitude, a healthy diet, and a strict exercise routine to keep themselves going and be role models to others. She befriended their devoted team of care providers, including 

Alice Austria, Marris Bleacher, Genalyn Jarillo, Selamawit Tekeste, Milika Tulua, and Norma Vasquez, all of whom worked tirelessly to give them the care and support they needed. Selamawit in particular went above and beyond, traveling with them to Newport the last two summers so they could re-connect with their Rhode Island roots.  

Ann is pre-deceased by her husband, her parents, her sister Pearl, and her brother Harry. She is survived by her brother Geoffrey, her children Johanna (Hachik Chilingirian), John (Gloria Chen) and Thomas; her grandchildren Berj (Seda Byurat), Ani (Edward Jierjian), and Matthew, and many beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews. 

A wake will be held on Sunday, August 9th at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac  Ave., Cranston RI from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM and a funeral will be held at Sts. Vartanantz  Armenian Apostolic Church, 402 Broadway Providence, RI on Monday, August 10th at 11:00AM. (Funeral attendees should go directly to the church on Monday morning.) She will be laid to rest on Tuesday, August 11th in the Kibarian family plot in North Burial Ground.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Mourad  Armenian School of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church.  

An additional memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic Church in Cupertino, CA in the fall. Details of that service will be shared once arrangements are made.

Please share memories at www.WoodlawnRI.com