ALICE T. ATANIAN (TAJARIAN)

   Alice Tajarian Atanian, 78, of Worcester died peacefully at the Holy Trinity Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility with her family by her side.

   She leaves a devoted son, Matthew J. Atanian; his kind and caring wife, Amy and much loved granddaughter, Adly Alice of Paxton and Worcester; sister, Annette Kevorkian of Del Ray Beach, Florida; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and the beloved family dog, "Coco."

   Alice was born in Worcester, daughter of Baidzar and Soukias "John" Tajarian and lived in Worcester all her life. She began her career with the Worcester Public Library system in 1946 as a Page and retired in 1998 as the Manager of Inter-library Loan. She was honored with receiving the Thomas S. Greene Award in 1989 from the City of Worcester for distinguished service to the City above and beyond the scope of work. Ms. Atanian, was described by award presenter Richard B. Kennedy as a "librarian's librarian" who was responsible for locating and delivering books, manuscripts and data that libraries in the Central Massachusetts region could not find in their own collections. "During the past 43 years as a city of Worcester employee, she has shown initiative, determination and tenacity to service both public customer and colleague in the most professional, effective and friendly way," Kennedy said. As a 50 plus year employee of the City she remained one of the few in the City to work in both the strong form of Mayoral government and the current council-manager government system. After her retirement Alice volunteered as a staff member for the Fairlawn Rehabilitation Facility Gift shop.

   Calling hours will be at the Caswell-King Funeral Home on Grove Street in Worcester on Friday, June 20th from 6-8 P.M. A graveside prayer service will take place on Saturday, June 21st at 11:00 A.M. in the Garden of the Gospels at the Worcester County Memorial Park, Route 56 in Paxton. To be immediately followed by a celebration of her life at the home of her son.

   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alice Atanian's name to the Why Me and Sherry's House Helping Kids with Cancer, 1152 Pleasant St, Worcester 01602.