The Papken and Anahid Megerian Memorial Scholarship for Public Service, established in December 2017 by George S. Yacoubian, Jr. in honor of one of SOAR’s founding Trustees, is endowed with a $500.00 donation each calendar year. This Public Service Scholarship is earmarked exclusively for an orphaned child who shows exemplary potential for service to the Armenian community in Armenia.
Papken and Anahid Megerian were born in Aleppo, Syria, and immigrated to the United States in 1968, settling in the Philadelphia area. They had three children: Garo (Annette), Aram, and Tanya (Nerces); and 8 grandchildren. Papken was a successful businessman who owned and operated several businesses in the greater Philadelphia area. Papken was the assistant treasurer of the Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). He was an active member of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Wynnewood, serving in numerous leadership capacities throughout the years. Papken was a member of Tekeyan Cultural Association Central Board and Co-Chairperson of the Armenian Democratic League for the Eastern U.S. and Canada. He was strongly committed to Armenian youth and was a supporter of the Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor, PA, and many humanitarian relief endeavors throughout Armenia, Javakh, and Jerusalem. He passed away in December 2017.
Anahid Megerian (Derderian) was born June 25, 1940, to loving and devoted parents Armen and Marie Derderian (Alabashian), survivors of the Armenian Genocide. She was their second child and only daughter. She was a doting sister to her older brother Anto and younger brothers Jano and Boghos. Anahid met Papken while they both served on the Giligian Elementary School Alumni Association. They were married on August 19, 1962.
Anahid was, above all else, the matriarch to an extended family. She was a loving and doting sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, aunt, and cousin. She loved, supported, and helped them all with her whole heart. Anahid’s grandchildren were the center of her world. There was no title she cherished more than that of “Medzmama” to Gregory, Cariné, Ariana, Haig, Lena, Lily, Sona, and Seta. Anahid’s primary goal was to raise her family to be proud of their Armenian heritage and culture. She taught them to be humble, diligent, and compassionate. Anahid was a pillar of the Armenian community. At St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church, Anahid was a three-term member of the Parish Council, former Chair of the Women’s Guild’s Hokejash Committee, and an active member of the Youth Committee and Tekeyan Cultural Association. Anahid passed away in November 2021.
Anahid and Papken were the benefactors of many projects in their local community and internationally. Their philanthropic giving included the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); the Mother See of Echmiadzin; the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem; the Armenian Mirror Spectator Newspaper; the Philadelphia Art Museum; the Diocesan Center in Javakhk, Georgia; the Armenian Sisters Academy, the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), and the Our Lady of Armenia Boghossian Educational Center in Gyumri.