Carol (Arakelian) Tosoonian, 97, of Whitinsville, MA, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026.  Born in Whitinsville to the late Hagop and Mary (Ohanian) Arakelian, Carol was predeceased by her husband of 38 years, Leo Tosoonian.  Carol is survived by her daughter, Laura Boghosian; her son, John Tosoonian; two grandchildren, Taline and Aram Boghosian; and many nieces and nephews.  Carol was also predeceased by seven sisters, Aznive Arakelian, Anna Palulian, Varsenig Papazian, Asadouhi Goshgarian, Verkin Arakelian, Katherine (Katchy) Iobst, and Nancy Gigarjian, as well as a brother, Arakel (Arco) Arakelian.

Carol attended Northbridge High School, where she played basketball and softball, and was awarded the Gold Medal, the school’s highest honor for academic achievement.  Following her graduation in 1946, she worked until her marriage as an office clerk in the Whitin Machine Works. 

At age 36, while raising her two children, Carol enrolled in Worcester State College to become a teacher. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1969 and later earned her master’s degree in 1980.  While at Worcester State, Carol and other older students organized the Antique Scholars club; she was also inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. 

Upon graduation, Carol taught middle school mathematics in the Uxbridge public schools for 16 years.  She was a proud member of the National Education Association, a teacher’s union, and upon retirement, she joined the Massachusetts Teachers Association-Retired and the Southern Worcester County Retired Teachers’ Association.

Carol was a devoted member of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville from its inception in 1957. She served as treasurer on the board of trustees; sang in the choir; taught Sunday School; was a member and chair of the Ladies Guild; frequently chaired the church bazaar and picnic; and was elected to serve as her church’s delegate to the National Representative Assembly.

A former member of the Armenian Youth Federation, Carol was honored in 2013 as a founder of the AYF’s Camp Haiastan in Franklin, MA. 

Carol was an avid bowler in a local league for many years, enjoyed gardening and travel, and served on the organizing committee for her high school class reunions.  She also read widely, relished playing cards with her sisters and friends, and was a dedicated Red Sox fan.  A force of nature, Carol will be remembered for exuberantly leading Armenian line dances at weddings and picnics until her health declined.

Calling hours are 9:30-11:00 AM on Friday, May 15, at the Armenian Apostolic Church in Whitinsville, immediately followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM in the church. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, 241 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church, 315 Church Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588 or the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472, www.perkins.org.