This site is a tribute to Edwina Roselyn Sarkissian (1938-2023).

Edwina Roselyn Sarkissian was born in Madras, India, in August 1938. Due to World War II, she was sent to Baldwins School in Bangalore with her older sister, Pam, and younger brothers, Fred and Barry. At boarding school, she became Head Girl and created lifelong friendships that spread across the globe. These relationships have endured for more than seven decades, cemented by regular Old Girls’ Reunions, many of which she organized.

After qualifying as a teacher in 1958, Edwina took her first post at the junior school of the prestigious St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling, where she met her future husband, Arshak Sarkissian. They married in England in August 1961. Edwina was a primary school teacher and Arshak worked for ICI Paints division. They had two daughters, Margaret and Jenny. The family moved from Slough to Tylers Green in Buckinghamshire, in 1974, where they lived happily for 47 years. After retirement, Edwina and Arshak were both devoted to their large and beautiful garden. They moved to Lichfield in 2021, to be closer to Jenny and her family.

They were long-time members of St. Margaret’s and Penn Churches in Tyler’s Green and Penn and, since moving to Lichfield, have attended St. Chad’s Church.

For many years, Edwina battled bravely with a form of muscular dystrophy. However, the final blow was a recent diagnosis of glioblastoma (an aggressive form of brain cancer) that was only discovered, by chance, at an advance stage. She was cared for at home for as long as possible in her two-month illness, before being admitted to St. Giles’ Hospice, where she spent her final two weeks being cared for by their wonderful staff. She passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on December 27, 2023.

Edwina was a devoted sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Arshak; her siblings, Fred and Barry; children Margaret and Jenny, their respective husbands, Jerry and Alan; and her only and much-loved grandson, Raffi.

The full Eulogy can be found in the Journal section of this Tribute.