Plan for the Future
Bertha Elizabeth Barmakian, 96, Longtime Chatham Resident, Artist
Bertha “Baidzar” Elizabeth Barmakian, 96, a longtime Chatham resident and local artist, died peacefully at home on Monday, March 23, 2020.
A private funeral service will be held Wednesday under the direction of the Bradley & Son Funeral Home, Chatham.
Born in Weehawken, she grew up in Millburn before moving to Chatham 71 years ago.
Mrs. Barmakian earned a B.S. degree from Upsala College and worked as a chemist for Exxon Corp.
She studied art under Peter Homitzky and displayed her oil paintings in a dozen one-person shows. Mrs. Barmakian won numerous awards for her art, including “Best in Show” at the 2006 Chatham Community Art Show.
Mrs. Barmakian was an active member of the Woman’s Club of Chatham for more than 50 years, and belonged to Chatham Fish & Game for many years. Recently, she was an active member of the New Providence Senior Center.
A longtime member of St. Mary Armenian Church in Livingston, she belonged to the Women’s Guild, YPA, Daughters of Vartan and AGBU.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Mary Armenian Church Endowment Fund, 200 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039, or through the church website stmarynj.net.
She was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Levon Barmakian. Surviving are her daughters Nancy Stepanian (husband Roy) and Sally Barmakian, sons Edward Barmakian and Dr. Joseph Barmakian (wife Leslie); grandchildren Lisa Dadourian (husband Stephen), Christopher Stepanian (wife Tara), Megan Troise (husband David), Stephanie Cherkezian, Jamie Barmakian, Paige Barmakian, Aram Barmakian, Steven Barmakian and Matthew Barmakian. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren.
