Louise Kazanjian

Newport, Louise T. Kazanjian, of Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI, a civic leader and community leader in Rhode Island, died in Newport on Friday, March 26. She was 86, and had suffered for many years from Alzheimer?s Disease. Born in Brookline, MA, she attended Simmons College. She married Powel H. Kazanjian, the president of the well-known John H. Kazanjian Co. on Bellevue Avenue. The family business, established in 1880, imported and sold antiques and objets d?art to many of the finest Newport houses. When her husband died in 1966, the business was liquidated. Louise, who had long been involved in Newport volunteer work, became actively engaged in Republican party politics in the state. In 1968, she ran for the State Senate and that same year was named Newport County Woman of the year. She was active on the Newport School Committee, serving as its chairman for many years, and she was also a member of the Newport City Council. In 1974 she ran for Lt. Governor on the Republican Ticket, this was the first time a woman had ever run for state wide office in Rhode Island; although she didn?t win, she got more votes that the man who ran for governor on the same ticket. She was also the first woman vestryman in the history of Newport?s 300 year old Trinity Church. Her other activities included statewide appointed positions as a member of the RI State Board of Governors of Higher Education and the Governor?s Judicial Screening Committee. She is survived by her four children: John H. Kazanjian of Chappaqua, NY, a lawyer in New York City; Rosilyn L. Kazanjian a physician in New York City; Dodie Kazanjian a writer and editor at large at Vogue magazine in New York City; and Powel H. Kazanjian Jr. a physician and Professor of Internal Medicine Director of AIDS Program at the University of Michigan. She also leaves 3 grandchildren Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 31, at 10:00 AM in Trinity Church, Queen Anne?s Square Newport, RI. Burial will take place in Island Cemetery Newport.Arrangements are by the Hambly Funeral Home 30 Red Cross Avenue Newport, RIDonations in her memory may be made to Trinity Church Queen Anne?s Square Newport, RI 02840 or to the Alzheimer?s Association 245 Waterman Street Suite 306 Providence, RI 02906