Maxy Kazandjian

Maxy (Daisy) Kazandjian nee Mosditchian passed away at the age of 80 on August 10, 2023. Maxy was born in Famagusta on the island of Cyprus to Vahram and Clara Mosditchian. Anyone who knew Maxy in Cyprus knew her as "Daisy", her mother's favorite flower. After growing up in Cyprus, Maxy repatriated with her family to Soviet Armenia in 1962 for a new life in the Motherland. There, she married her beloved Haroutune in 1964, a fellow Cypriot who had also repatriated. Together they had two children, Hairabed and Veronica. In Armenia, Maxy worked as an English teacher in the local high school and, eventually, at the Polytechnic Institute, an Armenian university. In 1977, the family immigrated to the United States, settling in New Jersey.

Maxy had a knack for creativity and always brought people together with her friendly and warm personality. Her attention to detail and commitment to her children led her to adapt her sewing hobby into a part-time profession as a seamstress in America while her children were young. In addition to working at a local cleaner's, she worked as an in-home seamstress, where she welcomed and befriended many locals. After over twenty years of alterations, Maxy returned to her original vocation and worked as a teacher's aide at a Cherry Hill elementary school for eighteen years. Maxy was adored by her students, sharing quips with them about being around "when the dinosaurs were roaming" and soothing them with her caring nature. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and her ailing health, Maxy retired in early 2021. Never wanting to part with her beloved community, Maxy volunteered at the Cherry Hill Library when her health would permit it. She had a love of and talent for written and spoken word. Every room in her house had a mystery novel and a pair of glasses. A natural-born entertainer, Maxy will be remembered for her beautiful, witty storytelling, which she thankfully preserved in journals and videos for her family. She could seamlessly slip into any of the seven languages she knew to make new friends and reconnect with old ones.

Maxy had many hobbies at which she excelled. She was a whizz in the kitchen, making what her grandchildren herald as the "best pilaf ever" and teaching them how to create delicious treats like melomakarona, gouldouragi, falafel, and, you guessed it, her famous pilaf. Her presence will always be with her family and friends as she gifted them her handmade jewelry, hand-knit sweaters, and stunning paintings. Maxy taught her many crafts to her granddaughter, who shared her love of the creative arts. When she wasn't creating art, she was creating memories with her family in her many travels. She has been to countless countries, seen endless sites, and heard many concerts. A lover of photography, her iPad is still full of her photos of flowers and sunsets. She also skillfully maintained her garden and spent her time tending to her fruits, flowers, and vegetables.

Maxy is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Ruthy. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, two children, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, one grandkit, many family and friends, and her treasured stuffed animals. Her spirit is in every daisy that blooms, and we ask that you remember her whenever you see one.

Friends and family are welcome to attend her visitation from 10am to 11am Wednesday at. St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church 8701 ridge Ave. Phila, Pa 19128.  Her funeral service will follow at 11am in the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to the church.

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