Natalie Tarabelsi

Waltham - Mrs. Natalie (Payaslian) Tarabelsi, of Waltham, died Sunday, December 12, 2010 in Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. She was 86.

Natalie was born on February 20, 1924 in Aleppo, Syria the sixth child of Panos and Virginia (der Manoukian) Payaslian. She married Fuad B. Tarabelsi in 1943. In 1964 they moved to Kuwait and after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war she began proceedings to bring her family to the United States. She left the Middle East with her husband and youngest son to the come to the United States to the welcoming arms of her siblings at Boston’s Logan Airport in 1970. They lived in Watertown for three years before moving to Waltham in 1973.

Natalie was a simple and self taught woman. Her formal schooling was limited but she was able to speak four languages: English, Arabic, Turkish and Armenian with a little French as well. Her house was her church and she honored the various ethnicities that comprised her world and lived her life showing there are no divisions. After her husband’s death in 1993 she maintained ties to his church, Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral in West Roxbury all the while being proud and loyal to her Armenian heritage.

She was the epitome of matriarch in her family and always put others before herself. Natalie was most happy when everyone was together and could enjoy her talented cooking. She was an ardent gardener and enjoyed flowers.

She is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Fuad B. Tarabelsi; her siblings, Veronica Hanimian, Helen Arikian, Anna Papadopoulos and Nazaret Payaslian.

Natalie leaves four sons, Bechir E. Tarabelsi, Rounieh J. Tarabelsi and his wife, Rosa, Elias A. Tarabelsi and his wife, Joanne, all of Waltham and Samir G. Tarabelsi and his wife, Gareeneh, of Belmont; her sister, Madeline Maranian of Burlington; She is also survived by ten grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Natalie’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, December 14th, from 5 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Artsahk St, Watertown, where her Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. A Dan Gark service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 38 Elton Ave, Watertown, MA 02472 or to a charity of one’s choice.