Lucy Der Manuelian (1928-2021): Pioneering Scholar and Champion of Armenian Culture

With great sadness NAASR shares the news of the passing of Dr. Lucy Der Manuelian of Belmont, Massachusetts, at the age of 93. Der Manuelian was the first holder of the Arthur H. Dadian and Ara Oztemel Professor of Armenian Art at Tufts University and, indeed, was instrumental in the establishment of that chair, the first and only one in Armenian art in the United States.

Lucy Der Manuelian was an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher, public speaker, and advocate for Armenian culture. In addition to her pioneering role at Tufts she was a longtime trustee of the Armenian Museum of America and an Honorary Lifetime Member of NAASR.

Lucy's many years of almost unfailing attendance at NAASR programs held in Belmont, her kindness and warmth, and her support for Armenian Studies will be missed and will always be remembered.

The NAASR Board of Directors and Staff extends its condolences to her family and friends.

We will share other obituaries and remembrances of Dr. Lucy Der Manuelian's life and work in the days ahead.

Dr. Christina Maranci's Remembrance of Dr. Lucy Der Manuelian
With the permission of the author, we share this heartfelt appreciation of Lucy Der Manuelian by Christina Maranci, who succeeded Der Manuelian as Arthur H. Dadian and Ara T. Oztemel Chair of Armenian Art in the Department of the History of Art and Architecture at Tufts. Click here to read her moving tribute.

Photo from NAASR Archive: Lucy Der Manuelian honored by NAASR Chairman Nancy Kolligian and Academic Director Marc Mamigonian in November 2008 at a scholars' reception at the NAASR Center