Obituary: Maria Barkev Agulian (née Bulbulian), 71, of Hamden

HAMDEN, CT - (From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home) Maria Barkev Agulian (née Bulbulian), 71, of Hamden, passed away at home surrounded by family, on Friday, May 20, 2022, following a yearlong journey with pancreatic cancer.

Maria was born on December 31, 1950 in Beirut, Lebanon, the daughter of the late Barkev and Violet Bulbulian, direct descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors.

Maria received her Masters in Mathematics Education from the American University of Beirut and was a passionate Mathematics teacher for 41 years, with 15 years at the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut, Lebanon and 26 years at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Hamden, CT.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Samuel Kevork Agulian, her three children, Tamar Agulian, Taleen Agulian Gleeson (husband Michael Gleeson), and Lori Agulian (fiancé Michael Dedrick), and her four grandchildren, Nazeli, Tigran, Viken, and Mihran. She leaves behind her siblings, Lucy Bulbulian and Berdj Bulbulian, and cousins, Ardem Bulbulian, Chouchig Vaello Bulbulian, and Alice Lussier.

Her extensive community of family and friends will miss her dearly.

Maria shared many rich experiences with the closest people in her life.

Maria and her husband Sam were always the first and last ones on the dance floor. They sang in harmony and took turns with their vivid storytelling. Maria was a devoted mother who was the greatest advocate for her children and encouraged them to explore their interests.

No idea was too small; whether it be a costume, birthday party theme, or craft project, Maria helped make their dreams a reality. Maria was so excited to become a “Medzmama” (grandmother).

She made sure her home was welcoming to her grandchildren, with a playroom filled with endless toys, books, costumes, and art supplies. Together, they loved baking cookies, helping in the garden, cuddling, and engaging in conversations about life and mathematics.

Maria left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was feisty, sharp-witted, open-hearted, embraced the weird, and had a radiant smile. Maria expressed her personality through her unique fashion sense and was not afraid to show off her style with bright colors and bold prints.

Maria’s love of mathematics was profound and contagious. She relished in solving problems and finding patterns and shared that joy with the world beyond teaching. Maria helped her students see math from a different perspective, and showed how it can be relatable, fun, and even beautiful.

Her approach to math education sparked a love of learning, which had a long-lasting impact on generations of students.

Another passion of Maria’s was gardening, which went beyond just planting and growing flowers. She cultivated a living art gallery, complete with gnomes and treasures, and took deep satisfaction in her work.

Visitors lucky enough to get an elaborate tour of her garden were regaled with tales of each flower, each plant, with great attention to detail. Her garden will continue to grow and evolve past her death, guiding her spirit in its approach to infinity.

A church service will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension at 1460 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611. A private burial service will follow with family.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at the Sisk Brothers Funeral Home at 3105 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT 06518, with visitation hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed with speeches by loved ones at 2 p.m.

For all services, masks will be required per family request.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Maria Agulian Fund, created in Maria’s honor at Hamden Hall Country Day School (https:///www.hamdenhall.org/maria-agulian-fund) and the Armenia Tree Project (https:/:/www.armeniatree.org/en/donation), an organization close to Maria's heart.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Maria Barkev Agulian please visit our Sympathy Store.