Anna (Surabian) Kibarian

Anna Kibarian (Surabian), 93, of North Providence passed away surrounded by her loving family Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Miriam Hospital. She was the wife of the late John Nishan Kibarian. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Tomas and Altoon (Topalian) Surabian, direct Armenian Genocide survivors.

Anna is survived by four children, Sally Garabedian and husband Charles “ Hompo”, Arlene (Kibarian) Hatch and husband Kenneth, Robert S. Kibarian, Kimi Kibarian Fowler and husband James Fowler, Capt., USN, (ret). She was the grandmother of Charles N. Garabedian, Esq. and sister of the late Paul Surabian.

In 1960, Anna and husband Kabib operated the OK Spa on Douglas Avenue. In late 1960 Anna ran Anne Kaye School of Sewing located at 184 Douglas Avenue which then developed into the beginning of Anne Kaye Fabrics 1630 Mineral Spring Avenue which legended into the largest fabric store in the N.E. area, supplying 3 new satellite locations in Rhode Island, the “Remnant Shack”. She collaborated with RISD on many fashion show projects and fundraisers.

Throughout her life as an entrepreneur, Anna discovered the world of antiques and auctions. In 1974, through this discovery acquired Shephards Warehouse and tagged “Pie Alley Annie” by Providence Journal.  In 1995, Anna embarked in the World Wide Web and became Rhode Island’s first woman seller on Ebay.

For the last 25 years Anna was an antique dealer at Brimfield,  Nostalgia and R.I.A.M.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service Thursday, March 3rd at 11 a.m. in Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church 402 Broadway, Providence. Burial will follow in North Burial Ground. VISITATION Wednesday 4-7 p.m. at “WOODLAWN” Funeral Home 600 Pontiac Avenue Cranston. IN lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) at www.COAF.org. Please share memories and condolences at WoodlawnGattone.com