Isabel H. Talanian

On November 19^th family gathered to celebrate Isabel Talanian’s ninety-fifth birthday…and it was a room filled with love and she relished every moment.

Born in Weymouth on November 8, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Horen and Matilda (Kalpakjian) Harpootlian. In her early years she was raised in Brockton before moving to Waltham where she graduated from Waltham High School with the class of 1945. She married Peter S. Talanian on September 20, 1953 at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in its original location in Boston. Peter died July 1, 2019.

Isabel started her career as a secretary to Superintendent, Dr. John W. McDevitt in the Waltham Public School system and later as secretary to Superintendent John ‘Jack’ Daddona. She retired in November of 1990. While working, Isabel was well ahead of her times and easily adapted from typewriter to computers and stayed with the technological changes.  She very much loved her work and was well respected in the school system.

At home she was happiest when in the company of her family and friends. Sunday dinners were rituals and Isabel was a phenomenal cook and baker. She created a cookbook and dedicated it to the “men in her life” but in honor of her two daughters…this way she was sure to cover all those she loved.

She was active in a myriad of varied interests from serving on the Board of the North Waltham Seniors, volunteering at her much loved church in Cambridge, and organizing the annual Cannon Golf Tournament. She and Peter loved to travel and amongst her favorite destinations was Aruba, where she would enjoy a piña colada.

Isabel will be remembered as a generous woman with a heart full of unconditional love who adored her family.

She died at home on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. She was 95.

She leaves her daughters, Diane L. Krueger (Ronald) and Joyce M. Talanian, all of Waltham; her grandsons, David Krueger (Lucy) of Houston, TX, Jeffrey Krueger (Gina) and Steven Krueger (Christopher), all of Waltham; much loved Nanabel to Emma, James, Kennedy, Charlie, Andrea and Avery; and a close cousin whom she considered a brother, Edward Mesrobian of Waltham.

Family and friends will honor and remember Isabel's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, January 1^st from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge where her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138