Author: Mamian George

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT PAID TO MEMORY OF 1999 TERRORISM VICTIMS IN PARLIAMENT YARD

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. RA National Assembly deputies, staff
representatives and journalists accredited at the Parliament paid
tribute of respect on October 27 to memory of 8 statesmen-politicians
became victims of terrorism committed on the same day 7 years
ago. Wreaths and flowers were laid to the monument erected in the yard
of the Parliament. It perpetuates memory of NA Chairman Karen
Demirchian, Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian, NA Deputy Speakers Yuri
Bakhshian and Ruben Miroyan, Minister for Operative Issues Leonard
Petrosian, deputies Armenak Armenakian, Henrik Abrahamian and Mikayel
Kotanian died in 1999 in the conference hall of the Parliament.

"Irrespective of the fact that 7 years passed after this tragedy, but
people who knew victims of that terrorism, who worked with them,
especially who was at the Parliament, in the hall on that tragic day,
I’m sure that will bear during their whole life both pain and suffers
that they have had in that hall," NA Speaker Tigran Torosian said to
journalists. In his words, the most important is to make consequences
for such a tragedy never takes place in the world from now on, in the
basis of which, in his opinion, was spite and hatred. "People who died
on that severe day, did not live end in itself, lived for the sake of
ideas, for the sake of programs, for the sake of principles, and the
greatest tribute for them, I think, will be development of Armenia,
that’s, implementation of those programs, ideas and goals which the
victims of that severe day professed," the NA Speaker said.

GALUST SAHAKIAN: MAIN CRIMINALS OF 1999 TERRORIST ACT ARE NOT PUNISHED YET

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. In the personal opinion of RA NA RPA
faction Head, Galust Sahakian, which he expressed at the October 27
press briefing, the main criminals of the terrorist act committed in
1999 at the parliament are not punished yet. "Maybe I give free play
to my emotions, nevertheless, I think that at certain time, under
certain circumstances we will also learn concretely from what side the
blow was delivered," G.Sahakian said clarifying that he means "blows
from outside."

He also expressed an opinion that those convicted on the case of the
terrorist act and the criminals were merely instruments. This year the
day of a regular NA press briefing coincided with the 7th anniversary
of the terrorist act committed at the parliament hall.

Eight state and political figures, including NA leadership and the
country’s Prime Minister became victims of the crime of 1999. In
G.Sahakian’s words, we always feel both pain, grief and something like
inner strengthening in these days.

"We feel pain, as the nation and we have lost our friends. We feel
strengthening as we have responsibility in connection with this day,"
RPA faction Head said.

AZG Armenian Daily #205, 27/10/2006

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FOIL PRODUCTION BACK ON RAILS

The former aluminum works of Kanaker, which was renamed Armenal in
2000, reopened yesterday after 23 months of retrofitting and
re-equipping. The re-equipping of the works belonging to Russian Rusal
Company required $70 million.

Vice-president of Rusal-Armenal Company, Aleksander Livshits said that
the works will henceforth produce foil of a higher quality increasing
the production to 25.000 tones a year. Thanks to new equipments the
foil production will be zero-discharge with minimum threat to the
environment.

By Gohar Gevorgian

OSCE MEDIATORS SAY AZERI-ARMENIAN TALKS "SINCERE AND OPEN"

Turan News Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 25 2006

Paris, 25 October: The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers
[Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan Oskanyan] discussed new details of
the basic principles of the Karabakh settlement during their talks
in Paris on 24 October, the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group for
the Karabakh settlement have said in a statement forwarded to Turan
news agency from the French embassy in Baku.

In a joint statement, the co-chairmen, Yuriy Merzlyakov [Russia],
Bernard Fassier [France] and Matthew Bryza [USA], said that the Paris
talks were held in "a sincere and open atmosphere". The subject of
the talks were "additional elements" to the basic principles of
the Karabakh settlement proposed to the sides by the co-chairmen
ahead of the Bucharest summit [of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
Organization] (5-6 June 2006).

The joint statement said that the "additional elements" to the basic
principles were proposed by the co-chairmen in Moscow on 6 October.

These elements "open up new opportunities for the talks". Mammadyarov
and Oskanyan worked to "specify" these elements in Paris.

The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers accepted the Minsk
Group co-chairmen’s suggestion to continue consultations on the
"additional elements" in Brussels on 14 November.

For their part, the co-chairmen will visit the region in late November
and discuss with the two countries’ presidents the possibility of
holding a third meeting in 2006, the statement said.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

October 26, 2006

YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I
"We need to listen more to our youth to know what they are thinking, to
let them know that the Church needs them and they need the Church," said
Archbishop Oshagan recently as he described his enthusiasm for the upcoming
gathering with the youth which will take place in Dearborn, Michigan,
December 1 to 3.
It was these same thoughts that prompted His Holiness to ask that a
gathering of the youth be organized during his visit to the Midwest where he
will be the keynote speaker at a conference at Notre Dame University. The
three Prelacies (Eastern, Western, and Canadian) joined together to organize
the gathering, forming a committee made up of representatives of the same
age group, 18 to 30, that is being urged to attend the gathering.
Incidentally, participants of the youth gathering who can extend their stay
are invited to attend His Holiness’s keynote address and service at Notre
Dame. More about this next week.
The theme of the youth gathering is Your Church. Your Future. Engage.
According to program committee co-chair Nayiri Baljian, the event is
intended to "provide an opportunity for the youth to learn about their
heritage of faith and to experience some of the best of what the Armenian
Church can offer." The weekend activities will include speakers, film,
music, worship-all with the goal of answering the questions: Where have we
come from? Where are we going? How far can we go?
For details about this event click

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO WORCESTER
The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy at
Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, this Sunday, October 29, and
the celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the church which will take place
immediately after church services.

VICAR AT WCC MEETING
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, is attending meetings of the Board of
Directors of the U.S. Conference for the World Council of Churches (WCC),
today and tomorrow, at The Interchurch Center, in New York City.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER ISSUE OF OUTREACH ON LINE
The October/November of Outreach is available on the Prelacy web page.
For a preview of the 48-page issue click
6.pdf.

CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
WILL CELEBRATE "FALL COLORS"
Tickets for the children’s concert "Fall Colors" are selling briskly.
There are less than 100 tickets left, so do not delay. Reserve yours today.
For information click

DE LEGATION OF FRENCH PROTESTANT CHURCHES
VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, received
a high-ranking delegation representing the Protestant Churches of France.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, also
attended the meeting, which took place in Antelias, Lebanon. Various issues
related to ecumenical relations, local and regional developments and the
activities of the World Council of Churches were discussed. Turkey’s
potential membership to the European Union was also discussed. His Holiness
praised the French Parliament in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide.

90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN LEGION
Tomorrow, October 27, is the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Legion
(Legion d’Orient). The Armenian Legion was formed on October 27, 1916, two
years after the beginning of World War I. Under the agreement, Armenian and
Syrian volunteers were recruited to fight with Allied forces. France and
Great Britain promised autonomy for the Armenians in central and southern
Turkey. About 1,200 Armenian men from the United States joined Armenians
from all over the world and served in the Legion. The Armenian Legion
contributed mightily to the victory over German and Turkish forces at the
Battle of Arara (September 19, 1918). Promises made to the Armenians were
not kept.

FEAST OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, October 29, the Armenian Church commemorates the Discovery
of the Cross (Giut Khatch). Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, was a
devout Christian. While in Jerusalem she wanted to find the True Cross. She
went to Golgotha (Calvary), which at this time had become an obscure and
neglected place. The Empress ordered excavation of the site, and three
wooden crosses were found. In order to identify the True Cross, the three
crosses were successively placed on the body of a youth who had just died.
When one of the crosses was placed on him, the young man came to life. This
cross was determined to be the True Cross. Christ’s exact burial site was
also found and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built on that spot in
335. The church was destroyed by fire in 614 when the Persians invaded
Jerusalem, and subsequently rebuilt. The current dome dates back to 1870.
Three denominations (Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, Roman
Catholic), administer and maintain the church and surrounding grounds (not
always harmoniously). Agreements regulate times and places of worship for
each denomination. Ironically, a neutral Muslim neighbor family has been the
custodian of the keys for centuries. The Church, within the walled Old City
of Jerusalem, is revered and is a popular destination for pilgrims.

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
On November 2, the Armenian Church commemorates the life of St. John
Chrysostom (Hovhan Voskeperan). He was a notable Christian bishop and
preacher from the 4th and 5th centuries in Syria and Constantinople. He is
famous for his eloquence in public speaking-Chrysostom literally means
"golden mouth." The Orthodox Church honors him as a saint and one of the
"Three Holy Hierarchs" (with Saints Basil the Great and Gregory the
Theologian). He is also recognized by the Catholic Church and the Church of
England.
John converted to Christianity in 368 when he was barely 21 years old.
He renounced a large family inheritance and a promising legal career and
went to live in a mountain cave where he studied the Bible. He was later
ordained a priest and soon his sermons were attracting huge audiences. He
challenged wealthy Christians, whose generosity was confined to donating
precious objects for display in churches. He told them they had a duty to
help the poor and needy. He wrote often about valuing the richness of nature
created by God which should be enjoyed and protected. Although he was very
popular with the people, his outspoken criticism was not appreciated by the
hierarchy and he was sent into exile at various times. His sermons made a
great impact on Christendom. He had a profound influence on the doctrines
and theology of the Armenian Church, because he spent the final years of his
exile in Armenia. Many of his important works are extant only in Armenian
manuscripts. He is also the author of liturgical prayers used in the
Armenian Church.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS
It is that time of the year again. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m.,
this Sunday, October 29. We return to standard time by setting our clocks
back one hour.

Muse of the deep and ineffable Divine Mysteries,
Wise Prefect and Great Doctor of the world,
Like the rock of the Church, you were faithful to the key to heaven,
>From the beloved disciple, you received the Gospel.
>From the Holy Virgin Birth-giver you received your mark of authority.
O Patriarch John, by the grace of the Holy Spirit you received Wisdom.
Ode of the Armenian Church dedicated to St. John Chrysostom

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

October 27-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts. Dinner and fellowship. For information, 978-685-5038.

October 28-Saturday School Fall Festival, St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York.

October 29-72nd anniversary of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts.

October 29-Auxiliary Appreciation Day and drawing of Cruise Raffle, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.

November 3-4-51st Annual Bazaar of St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, with special program for children on Saturday afternoon. For
information 617-924-7562.

November 3-4- Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

November 3, 4, 5-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.

November 4-Harvest Ball Dinner Dance to benefit programs of Holy Ascension
Sunday School, at Shore & Country Club, Norwalk, Connecticut. Information:
Judy Gavoor 203-834-1471 and Nadine Koobatian 203-421-7944.

November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

November 5-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.

November 10-12-Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere
Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

November 11-42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in
the church hall.

November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual "Armenian Fest" at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.

November 12-Food Festival and Bazaar. St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York, 1 to 5 pm. The newly published St. Sarkis Cookbook
will be available. For information 718-224-2275.

November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.

November 18-Children’s Concert, "FALL COLORS", sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS.

November 18-"Christian Spirituality and the Armenian Apostolic Church," a
lecture by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, at St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York.

November 26-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 1-3-Gathering of the Youth with Catholicos Aram I, Hyatt Regency,
Dearborn, Michigan. For details click

December 10-52nd anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.

December 10-General Membership meeting and elections of auditing and
nominating committees, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.

December 13-Thanksgiving Luncheon with the local NYPD and Fire Fighters, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.

December 16-"A Celebration of Service" in honor of past chairmen and board
of trustees members. Under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. For information and
reservations 718-224-2275.

December 17-50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Archpriest Fr.
Moushegh Der Kaloustian, sponsored by the Prelacy Religious Council, at
Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York.

December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh. Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.

January 6-Christmas party and special program for Saturday and Sunday school
students.

February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the churchy
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.

February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.

February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

Visit our website at

OTTAWA TO SOOTHE TURKS ANGRY OVER ‘GENOCIDE’ TAG
Brian Laghi – Ottawa Bureau Chief

Globe and Mail, Canada
Oct 25 2006

The federal government has moved to mend fences with Turkey by
qualifying its support for a controversial declaration that the Turks
perpetrated a genocide against Armenians during the First World War.

The move comes just months after Turkey agreed to take in thousands
of Canadians stranded in strife-torn Lebanon and after the Turks
protested diplomatically by temporarily removing their ambassador
and then pulling out of air exercises taking place in Alberta earlier
this summer.

Canada and Turkey are both members of NATO and each are contributing
soldiers to the war in Afghanistan.

In a brief address at the home of the Turkish ambassador last week,
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay thanked Turkey for taking in
the Canadians and then added that Canada supports a Turkish plan to
convene an academic panel to study the events of 1915.

Print Edition – Section Front Enlarge Image

More World Stories Arab League takes PM to task on Israel Canadians go
undercover in Afghanistan War is close, Ethiopia tells Somali rebels
Ottawa to soothe Turks angry over ‘genocide’ tag Iraqis could take
over in year, general says Britain will not ‘cut and run’ Go to the
World section The government is in the position of apparently both
recognizing the events as a genocide and of calling for a study to
examine the issue.

Backing the idea for a panel runs counter to the adoption of a
resolution by Prime Minister Stephen Harper earlier this year when it
affirmed a two-year-old House of Commons vote to condemn the brutal
treatment of the Armenians. That move was championed by Mr. Harper’s
parliamentary secretary, Jason Kenney, and earned the government
plaudits within the Armenian community.

"The Canadian government supports the Turkish government’s practical
proposal to establish a joint committee comprised of Turkish and
Armenian historians as well as historians from a third country to look
into the events of 1915, and encourages the Government of Armenia
to participate in this committee," said Mr. MacKay, according to a
transcript provided to The Globe and Mail.

It is unclear what prompted the shift, although Canada and Turkey are
traditional allies and Turkey’s proximity to the Middle East is seen
as strategically important to the West.

An official speaking on behalf of Mr. MacKay confirmed that the
minister supports the idea of a panel. "Minister MacKay endorses
an independent study of the events of 1915, with third-party
participation, in order for all possible facts to be looked at,"
Dan Dugas said.

About two dozen other countries have recognized the deaths of 1.5
million Armenians during the First World War as a genocide, while
Turkey maintains the deaths were caused by civil strife, diseases
and famine. At the time, Armenia was under Turkish Ottoman control.

An official with the Turkish embassy said the move is a welcome
development. "Genocide is a very serious accusation," Yonet Tezel said.

"Turkey’s proposal aims to narrow the gap between the two sides
by allowing historians and experts to work together and, more
importantly, reach conclusions based on their research in all the
relevant archives."

However, an official with the Armenian embassy said the Canadian
issue is settled, as far as Armenia is concerned.

/story/LAC.20061025.TURKS25/TPStory/TPInternationa l/Africa/

GUL ON FRENCH RESOLUTION & ORHAN PAMUK

Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006

ANKARA – "France will live with this shame," said Turkish FM Abdullah
Gul when commenting on the resolution on the so-called Armenian
genocide adopted by the French parliament today.

Gul and Afghan FM Rangin Dadfar Spanta held a joint press conference
after their meeting at the Foreign Ministry Residence in Ankara.

FM Gul stated that France cannot define itself as "the homeland of
freedoms" from now on.

Noting that Turkey will not underestimate this development, Gul said
that Turkey will take every type of measure.

"I hope that France will take a backward step from this dead end,"
he added.

On the other hand, Gul said, "we are very pleased that a Turk has won
such a prize" when referring to prominent Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk,
who won the 2006 Nobel Prize for literature.

"This is an important development for Turkey’s promotion," he added.

IF FRANCE ADOPTS THE DRAFT LAW, TURKEY DOES NOT LOSE ANYTHING, GUL

Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006

ANKARA – "If French Parliament adopts the draft law (which envisions
denial of so-called Armenian genocide as crime), Turkey will not lose
anything, but France will lose not only Turkey but also many other
things," Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters after
his meeting with Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell of the Bahamas in
Ankara on Wednesday.

Upon a question about French Parliament’s debate the draft law
tomorrow, Gul said that Turkey has exerted every type of efforts on
all levels to warn France.

"Turkish politicians, businessmen, the government, Parliament, ruling
and opposition parties, deputies and intellectuals have all exerted
efforts. Also the EU stated that this issue is very wrong. I hope
France will not be the victim of small inner policy tools. I hope
France, which is the homeland of freedoms and liberty as well as
the pioneer of freedom of thought and expression, will not become
a country where people are imprisoned as they release the documents
and express their thoughts," Gul noted.

Gul added that turning of EU’s locomotive country and pioneer of
freedoms into such a country will concern France more than Turkey.

CONSTRUCTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE’S MEGHRI-KAJARAN SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER 20

Noyan Tapan
Oct 24 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, NOYAN TAPAN. It is envisaged to complete the
construction of the 40-km Meghri-Kajaran section of the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline by December 20, which will allow to start the new gas
pipeline’s operation ahead of the planned date – January 1, 2007. Sahak
Abrahamian, Director of High-Voltage Electric Networks company –
the customer of the gas pipeline’s Armenian secton construction,
told NT correspondent that as a result about 1.7 billion cubic meters
of gas will be imported from Iran into Armenia annually. To recap,
ArmRusgazprom company is implementing the construction work of the
Armenian side. According to S. Abrahamian, the Armenian side received
80% of 35 mln USD envisaged for the construction work as a loan from
Iran’s Development Bank, while the remaining sum will be allocated
from own resources. To recap, the agreement on import of natural gas
from Iran into Armenia was signed in Yerevan in May 2004. Under this
agreement, Armenia shall receive no less than 1.1 bln cubic meters of
gas from Iran annually. The term of the agreement is 20 years. Armenia
will pay with electricity for the imported gas.

A LIFE REMEMBERED
by Lydia Hall

Tufts Observer Online, MA
Oct 21 2006

Tufts alumna Ricanne Annik Hadrian had a passion for campus activism,
a commitment to fighting for social justice, and a love for the color
purple. At the end of her life, she also had breast cancer, a disease
that one in every eight women will contract during her lifetime,
to which Hadrian succumbed ten years ago, leaving behind a husband,
a four-year-old daughter, and a group of friends committed to keeping
her memory alive. Hadrian was raised in Providence, Rhode Island,
in a traditional Armenian family. After attending a high school at
which she was involved in student government and she came to Tufts as
a member of the Class of 1978. As a freshman she lived in Carmichael
with future close friend Liz Schnee. "Living with Ricanne was great,"
Schnee remembered. "She was extremely outgoing, warm, and very tidy
and organized. She made our room a welcoming place for friends to hang
out." Schnee also recalled that her roommate was a supportive friend,
helping her to learn college-level study skills and introducing her
to new people.

Throughout her time at Tufts, Hadrian was well-known on campus. Robyn
Gittleman, Director of the Experimental College, who worked closely
with Hadrian, remembered that "Ricanne was so energetic and passionate
about what she believed in that she seemed ‘bigger than life.’" Schnee
says her friend was "a radical, independent thinker, [a] risk taker
who spurned conventions, wore outrageous, clown-like colorful (purple,
red, turquoise) clothes, [and] was not shy to speak her mind."

Hadrian brought this dynamism to many activities at Tufts, including
theatre, the Women’s Center, and the Committee on Student Life,
as well as activist work that extended beyond campus. She was an
involved member of the Tufts Political Action Committee (TPAC).

Schnee noted that at one point Hadrian even "led a student takeover
of [a campus] hall in protest of the apartheid government." Gittleman
also remembers this determination, recalling that Hadrian "never took
no for an answer. If things did not work out as she wanted, she would
come back with a new approach or a different focus on a proposal she
thought was important and keep trying until she got a positive answer."

Surprisingly, love turned out to be among the many things that
Hadrian’s activist work brought to her life. During a summer internship
at the Somerville United Neighborhoods she met her husband, Scott
Spencer. Spencer reminisced about his initial attraction to his
future wife: "She was beautiful and smart and committed to social
justice, and cared deeply about others and was fun to be with,"
he remembered. "She loved a good argument and was very passionate
about what she believed in and cared about." They married in 1987,
and Hadrian gave birth to their daughter Annik several years later.

Even after her graduation from Tufts in 1978, Hadrian remained in the
area. As Gittleman noted, "Her interest in our neighboring community
kept her nearby." Gittleman and Hadrian also remained friends after
Hadrian graduated. Gittleman recalled, "I always looked forward to her
visits and found she was someone I wanted to talk with, argue with,
and hug."

Hadrian found another passion after graduation in her work as an
affordable housing activist, after training as an urban planner at
MIT, lobbying for lower-cost homes for the underprivileged. She was
an effective community leader, as Schnee remembered, "she harnessed
her excellent people skills, her keen intelligence, her ability to see
opportunity in tough times, her perseverance and her manners, to make
incredible things happen for low-income people." Indeed, this last
quality was one that, according to Schnee, served Hadrian very well
in building ties with the local community, "developing professional
relationships with banks and other financial institutions in her work
in affordable housing."

Hadrian tackled her unexpected breast cancer diagnosis with strength.

She was "brave but realistic throughout her illness," Schnee noted,
adding that Hadrian’s selfless spirit prevailed and even then:
"She worried more about the impact of her death on Scott, Annik and
her mother than she feared the process for herself." Towards the end
of her life, Hadrian entered a hospice, where she continued to make
friends among the patients and nurses, some of whom told Schnee that
"she was the person they were the saddest to lose in all of their
time at the hospice."

During her last days at the hospice, Hadrian held a small "letting go"
ceremony, involving prayer, song, and expressions of her thankfulness
for the time she had with those she loved. Said Schnee, "I think
we were all a little taken aback at her ability to organize such
a selfless and also such an attention getting event at the very
end of her life." In 1996, just shy of her 40th birthday, Hadrian
finally succumbed to breast cancer. At her funeral, even those with
whom she had sparred during her life came out in support. As Scott
Spencer recalled, "At the end of her professional career she was an
absolute ‘thorn in the side’ to the banking community as she lobbied
for affordable housing. Nonetheless, at her funeral dozens of bankers
were there to honor and celebrate her work."

It has been ten years since Ricanne Hadrian died, but her extraordinary
presence is still felt in the lives of her husband, her daughter,
Annik, who is now 14, and her friends. This October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, as well as the ten-year anniversary of Hadrian’s
death. Schnee wanted to remember her friend’s life. Along with Annik,
Scott Spencer, and a group of Hadrian’s friends, Schnee will walk
in the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer walk in Providence on
October 22. There has been an outpouring of donations from those who
knew Hadrian, which makes her daughter happy: "Ricanne Hadrian loved
to bring people together for a good cause and I think she would be
touched to know that we are all supporting such a worthwhile event,"
she wrote in a letter to sponsors. "From the many pictures, stories
and memories friends and family have shared with me, I realize what
an astounding person she was."

"We remember her most deeply in our hearts and how she lives through
the actions and life decisions of people she touched and influenced,"
Scott Spencer said. Schnee, for her part, will never forget a
speech that Hadrian made at their 1978 Tufts graduation. Hadrian
"encourage[ed] each graduate to take our education and play a role
in making the world a better place." As Schnee remembers, "It was
beautiful, and her life and words have inspired [my] work."