Sirvart (Emily) Hovnanian, loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully surrounded by her family Jan. 14, 2024. Born in 1926 to Nevart and Ardashes Megerdichian, she is survived by her five children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a brother.
Sirvart married Kevork S. Hovnanian in 1948. She and her husband were forced to leave the Middle East in 1959 under very difficult circumstances. Having family in the United States, they emigrated to and settled in New Jersey, where Kevork founded one of the country’s largest publicly traded homebuilding companies.
As the matriarch of the Kevork Hovnanian family, in her quiet but strong way, Sirvart raised a family of five children and was the staunch supporter of her husband in all of his successful endeavors. She was a graceful, gracious and elegant woman with profound wisdom, an immeasurably kind heart and deep faith. Her love for her family was paramount. She gathered everyone home for every holiday and never missed a birthday, usually spending special time with the young ones by taking them to lunch and the toy store on their big day.
Always full of wit, she lived life to the fullest, surrounding herself with family and friends. She was an avid reader and a great cook, spoke several languages, played backgammon and croquet and, most of all, loved to travel.
Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian’s beneficence and philanthropic deeds were admirable. To name just some of their generous accomplishments, they established the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in New Jersey, the Emergency Care Center at Riverview Medical Center and the Cardiology Floor at Columbia Presbyterian New York Hospital. They also supported many Armenian causes. They founded the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) following the 1988 earthquake in that country and they constructed and were the benefactors of St. Stepanos Armenian Church in Elberon.
Sirvart was a legend in her own right in every respect and became a paragon to emulate for all who knew her. She will fondly remain in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives she touched.
Private funeral services were held Jan. 19 at St. Stepanos Armenian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the following:
Riverview Medical Center (Department of Nursing) at hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/donate; K Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/donate/childrens-health-foundation; Columbia Medical School (Cardiology Department) at givenow.columbia.edu; Fund for Armenian Relief at farusa.org; or St. Stepanos Armenian Church, 1184 Ocean Ave., Elberon, NJ 07740. Designate: Endowment Trust Fund and please write “In memory of Sirvart Hovnanian” in the memo line of the check.
This article originally appeared in the February 1 – 7, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
