Louise Manoogian Simone (May 19, 1933 – February 18, 2019)[1] was an Armenian American philanthropist. She was president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) from 1989 to 2002.[2]
Life
editLouise Manoogian was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her father Alex Manoogian, an immigrant from Smyrna, founded Masco in 1929 and became wealthy after developing the one-handed faucet in the 1950s.[3] Alex Manoogian was fifth president of the AGBU and a philanthropist for Detroit civic causes and Armenian political and cultural causes.[3]
She was on the AGBU's central council for eight years before succeeding her father as its president.[3][4] She organized AGBU disaster relief after the 1988 Armenian earthquake.[5] In 1962, her parents established the Louise Manoogian Simone Foundation, which was later renamed the Manoogian Simone Foundation.[6] In 2007 it donated $1.2m to the University of Michigan's Armenian Studies program.[7] In 1979 Simone served a term on the Council of the Eastern U.S. Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the first woman in such a senior position.[8] Simone and her brother Richard Manoogian contributed $2m in 2000 towards the construction of Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yerevan.[9]
Personal life
editLouise Manoogian married Arman Simone[10] and lived in Manhattan.[3] Simone had a daughter, Christine, and two sons, David and Marc.[11]
References
edit- ^ Manoogian Simone Fonndation announces the passing of Louise Manoogian Simone
- ^ "History Of The Armenian General Benevolent Union". Armenian General Benevolent Union. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ a b c d Van Gelder, Lawrence (13 July 1996). "Alex Manoogian, 95; Perfected Design of Single-Handled Faucet". The New York Times. p. 19. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ "Berge Setrakian Elected Seventh President of AGBU" (Press release). Armenian General Benevolent Union. 22 February 2002. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ Associated Press (11 December 1988). "U.S. help flies to Armenia". The Prescott Courier. p. 3A. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ Wyszomierski, Sara (May 2006). Guide to Funding for International & Foreign Programs. Foundation Center. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-59542-088-6.
- ^ Demas, Kristy (19 November 2007). "Manoogian Simone Foundation gives $1.2 million for Armenian studies". The University Record Online. University of Michigan. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ Merguerian, Barbara J. (2006). "Oriental Orthodox traditions and the Armenian Apostolic Church". In Keller, Rosemary Skinner; Ruether, Rosemary Radford; Cantlon, Marie (eds.). Encyclopedia of women and religion in North America. Indiana University Press. p. 519. ISBN 978-0-253-34687-2. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ "Louise Simone and Richard Manougian Donate $2 Million to Yerevan Cathedral Project". Asbarez Armenian News. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ "Masco". Lotta Comunista (in Italian) (154): 5. 1983.
Arman Simone, genero di Alex Manoogian
- ^ Levin, Sander M. (30 September 1996). "Tribute to Alexander Manoogian". U.S. Congressional Record. 142 (138): E1822–3.
The pallbearers were Mr. Manoogian's grandsons and nephews: James Manoogian, Richard Manoogian, Jr., David Simone, Marc Simone, Brian Manoogian, Douglas Manoogian, Chris Christo, and Paul Christo.